has anybody noticed front suspension noises going away? I'm curious because I saw a response that the front strut bearing could be the cause of popping noises. Sounds like struts need to be removed anyway to get at the bearings. I know that 4th gen boots are torn in the early 30's-40's, so that's dirt that it gets prematurely exposed to.

 

The dust boots only protect the strut's piston from contamination. The bearing, which sits up in a tight spot, does get it's fair share of dirt on it. That small plastic part carries the weight of the car for the entire corner for that wheel. Quite a job for such a tiny part. It must maintain the link between the upper spring perch and the upper strut mount completely solid plus give it the ability to swivel. When it starts to fail, that link gets lose and it's ability to let the strut turn smothly under the load of the vehicle diminishes.

That $20 part usually corrects most spring associated popping and clunking sounds. They should be replaced every time you change your springs or struts. It's just good insurance that your suspension job comes out right.

 

sometimes noises are caused by the spring isolators being int he wrong place as well.