my car has developed the strut 'knock' (more like a pop for me). my mechanic checked it out and determined that the left strut mount needs to be replaced- not the entire strut.

i dont really want to have the strut assembly removed to replace the mount only to have to replace the strut IF the problem isnt the mount.

he also checked all of the linkages and bushings (sway bar) and theyre all good.

 

my recommendation is replace the mounts struts and endlinks and that should cover everything knocking up front...KYB GR2s all around $190 shipped, KYB strut mounts from rockauto.com $80, racingline endlinks ~$100 or nissan OEM ~$40. All easy to do yourself.

 

HEy VigilanteMax,

I have a valid question. I have brand new KYB GR2's up front and I get a knocking sound when I go over a large crack or impression on the road coming from my right front (passenger side). I know it's not the strut as they are new and they are working perfectly....I had Nissan replace the mounts last year for free on warranty....should I try the KYB strut mounts? Will that make a difference? How about the axle or drive train...could those cause such a noise too?

Cheers!

 

I would recommend replacing the struts as they may be the problem or may fail shortly after.

 

sounds like an endlink...quite easy and cheap fix. the bearings fry quite easy on the mounts for 1 reason....overtorquing the strut shaft nut

 

sway bar bushing should be checked too...front and rear

 

Hmm, maybe thats why i have this creeking noise when i turn left and right. If your not moving, and you turn the wheel you hear a creeking sound. This developed AFTER i change to GR-2's but i kept my OEM mounts because they never made any noise at all before.

 

I have that EXACT problem since I have installed GR-2 and progress all around. I've had it checked and no one can find anything that would cause the noise. I've learned to get used to it.

Does anyone know for sure what causes this and what the fix is?

 

Don't buy KYB strut mounts! They will fail quickly! Trust me. I bought them with my Gr-2 and H&R combo last May when I lowered my max. Not up to 4 months later, I heard clunking noises on both sides whenever I went over bumps. I check how the shocks sat in the upper strut mount when I opened the hood and noticed the strut was slightly off center. I went with NAPA strut mounts and the noises went away. I do have some noises on turning similar to PhotoGus from the fron driver side, but that's not related to the strut mounts that were replaced.

 

Both of those noises are strut mounts...mostly the bearings (little plastic piece). Please remember to put the pieces on correctly and DO NOT OVERTORQUE the strut shaft nut. I replaced my KYB strut mounts under warranty with new ones and remembered that I just tightenend the hell out of the sahft nut (mistake) Does not take a lot of tightening to secure. No noises.

 

I'm guessing this is my problem now. d*mn!

 

So in our case we need to replace our strut mounts and make sure they are not over tightened?

Will I see something physically wrong with the old mounts due to the "over tightening?"

Thanks for your time!

 

The little grey disc may be fractured and rubber shavings from the mount may be characteristic due to the increased pressure. The mount should move with ease over the bearing. Also make sure that the hat on top of your spring is placed correctly and should read "OUT" meaning towards the fender or facing you when putting the strut back in place. Hope that makes sense.

 

do I need a spring compressor when replacing the strut mount? Is there a thread that has detail on how to replace the mount? I just replaced both endlinks on the sway bar as well as the back bushing on each side and still have that rumble noise. I figured strut mount would be the problem, but went with easier fix first. Looks like the spring needs compressed to get to the mounts.

 

yes. Compress spring, then completely undo strut shaft bolt. Remember orientation of hardware and remember that the strut hat has out written on it which means that it will face away from the engine. Easier if you undo it and look.

 

thank you

 

yea def strut mounts... got mine replaced and car no longer makes that poppin noise... i think i got charged like $450.00 for struts and mounts but they did kyb mounts and it works fine