rainystreets
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AW11 front end rattle - tie rod ends, ball joints and sway bar end links
Hey MK1 MR2'ers, I'm trying to hunt down a rattle in the front end of my MK1. Pretty hard to find the exact source. I've had all the bushes replaced (see MKI MR2 Prothane Urethane Bushings - Total Kit - from twos R us) and all shocks replaced some time ago with KYBs. Here's a link to the kit I've had installed: http://twosrus.com/catalo..._62&products_id=71What's the next thing to try/replace? I was thinking tie-rod ends, ball joints and sway bar end links: http://twosrus.com/catalo..._28&products_id=74http://twosrus.com/catalo...28&products_id=105Any other recommendations? Should I stick with twos r us for the tid rod ends, ball joints and sway bar end links? Any Aussie suppliers you can recommend? Any help much appreciated! Cheers all, Rob
post edited by rainystreets - 2013/07/10 12:17:20
-- '89 Stock Super White Aus Delivery Adub.
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dennis the menace
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Re: AW11 front end rattle - tie rod ends, ball joints and sway bar end links
2013/07/10 12:19:21
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Have you checked the steering rack bushes for movement? When you tighten up one end of the chain (by replacing bushes etc.,), it puts more stress on the other components.
Past-President, MR2 Owners Club Qld "There is a fine line between hobby and obsession."
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rainystreets
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Re: AW11 front end rattle - tie rod ends, ball joints and sway bar end links
2013/07/10 13:54:05
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Good idea. I had this steering rack bush replaced about 70,000 Kms ago, not sure how quickly these wear out (see below) Figured that tie rod ends, ball joints or sway bar end links may be the culprits as they haven't been changed before. What's the best way to check the rack for movement - just give the wheels a shake while the car is jacked up? 
-- '89 Stock Super White Aus Delivery Adub.
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dennis the menace
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Re: AW11 front end rattle - tie rod ends, ball joints and sway bar end links
2013/07/10 15:26:23
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Best way to check for rack movement is to jack it up (or put it on a hoist) then get a big screwdriver or prybar and carefully lever the rack sideways i.e. across the car. If the bushes are worn you'll see movement.
Past-President, MR2 Owners Club Qld "There is a fine line between hobby and obsession."
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Knightrous
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Re: AW11 front end rattle - tie rod ends, ball joints and sway bar end links
2013/07/10 15:46:08
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Another thing that can cause a front end knock / bang is if the strut tops are worn out or the nut is loose.
post edited by Knightrous - 2013/07/10 15:49:48
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Monika
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Re: AW11 front end rattle - tie rod ends, ball joints and sway bar end links
2013/07/10 21:58:29
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Ok, so I have an SW20, but I am currently going through the same replacements as yourself, as I have lots of knocking and rattling going on as well.
I have replaced the rack end, front tie rods, ball joints.......I had the suspension inspected by Pedders and they said that the entire suspension was in excellent condition, including the bushes, but the only thing they couldn't check was the shockie/strut mounts.
I have just ordered new mounts all round, so I'll let you know if it gets rid of the noise once they are installed.........hopefully in a couple of weeks.
Cheers, M
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dennis the menace
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Re: AW11 front end rattle - tie rod ends, ball joints and sway bar end links
2013/07/11 08:17:11
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There's your problem . . .
"....I had the suspension inspected by Pedders...."
Past-President, MR2 Owners Club Qld "There is a fine line between hobby and obsession."
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scz
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Re: AW11 front end rattle - tie rod ends, ball joints and sway bar end links
2013/07/11 09:40:25
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These noises can very hard to track down. The usual culprit is the links on the tie-rods, but may be as simple as 'something' loose-ish in the frunk. Before you spend more money, have a good torch-shine in there. One of my mates spent a lot of money doing the suspension just to find it was the headlamp raising/lowering mechanism.
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rainystreets
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Re: AW11 front end rattle - tie rod ends, ball joints and sway bar end links
2013/07/11 09:50:49
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All good advice... thanks!
-- '89 Stock Super White Aus Delivery Adub.
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worldwalker
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Re: AW11 front end rattle - tie rod ends, ball joints and sway bar end links
2013/07/11 21:17:24
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I've got one on one of my AW's and I'm 90% sure its the rack end. I've done all the ball joints and bushes and the shocks look and feel tight but the rack end is a little loose. Hoping to have my other AW on the road next week and that's had everything replaced so I'll be disappointed if its still making noise.
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wiso
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Re: AW11 front end rattle - tie rod ends, ball joints and sway bar end links
2013/07/19 16:22:25
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heres another possible cause that is limited to the late model AW11. 88/89. like your 89 model rainystreets.
front brake calipers. it appears they changed the design from the early 87/88's in the early models they had a collar that went over the caliper slide that kept the caliper square to the brake rotor. In my 89 model the caliper does not seem to have this collar but instead uses the rubber boots so to speak to keep the caliper in place.
Someone else I know had an issue with this not long ago. and I have a front end knock in mine everytime I hit the brakes. so with the wheel off I can only find one thing that is moving, I can grab the caliper (not the torque plate) and wobble the caliper out and in on the brake pads/rotor. it makes the same clunk I can hear when braking.
All the bolts are tight, I have a set of 87 calipers here and they are indeed a different design on the slide pin.
87' AW11 4AGE 00' ZZW30 1ZZFE 01' ZZW30 1ZZFE Race car Edition
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Monika
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Re: AW11 front end rattle - tie rod ends, ball joints and sway bar end links
2013/07/24 22:17:04
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OMG!
Had my shockie strut mounts replaced today...........it's like driving a new car..........so quiet I can now hear all the rattles in my cabin LOL
I recommend that if you can't track the rattle down in the obvious places, then just go and replace the shockie strut mounts..........awesome!
Cheers, M
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MRTurbo
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Re: AW11 front end rattle - tie rod ends, ball joints and sway bar end links
2013/08/03 14:11:31
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I blew the money replacing the front strut tops and when we pulled them out realised it was just the loose nut! lol
lesson here is check the nut first folks :)
1990 SW20 GT 3S-GTE Targa 2001 Honda CBR600F4i 
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Paw11
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Re: AW11 front end rattle - tie rod ends, ball joints and sway bar end links
2013/11/25 23:35:59
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Very late to the party but anyway. It's also worth taking a look at the uni joint between the steering shaft and the rack. I have replaced everything in the front end of my mk1 and it still rattles. Moving the steering wheel side to side I could hear what sounded like a rack rattle. When I pulled the uni joint to pieces some of the needle bearings had collapsed. I re packed the bearings and it was better but i need a new joint. Genuine only as far as I know and they are pretty dear.
Pete
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adamaw11
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Re: AW11 front end rattle - tie rod ends, ball joints and sway bar end links
2014/01/12 18:41:35
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The front-end rattle.
I've just replaced my steering rack ends, tie-rod ends, steering rack bushings and fitted the entire twos-r-us bushing kit.
The steering is heaps more precise, and no more play in the steering......
....but the knock/rattle remains! - when going over bumps or veering left/right.
But now I'm 90% sure the sway-bar links are the cause (or at least contribute to it), because with the front jacked up, I can push the sway-bar up, and it moves and makes the knock sound! - there's definitely some play there.
So I've ordered new sway-bar drop links off ebay from the UK (seemed to be the cheapest easiest standard option).
Adam.
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