Author Topic: Clunking sound when turning. Help!! (Read 3463 times)

outtllaw · « **on:** April 16, 2007, 11:19:41 pm »

I have a 2000 Oldsmobile Alero. The problem that I am haveing now it that when I make a left turn I can hear a clunking (spring like) sound coming from the right fornt wheel, it also happens when the right front wheel goes in a pot hole. Does anyone know what could be causing this to happen?

articsteve · « **Reply #1 on:** April 17, 2007, 12:54:54 am »

Worn out suspension part is causing it. How many kms on the beast?

I could be something small like a control arm bushing ($20), control arm ($90) or maybe a steering rack

You gotta take it in for a look. Whatever it is, it beats an having electrical or AC problem in that car.

outtllaw · « **Reply #2 on:** April 17, 2007, 02:52:20 pm »

I went to my mechanic today and he took a look at the car and said that the front right spring is broken, he also had two Alero in his shop for the same problem

. He told me that it would cost me $800 for the part to fix the car. Can I keep driving for a while until I can get some money to fix this lemon?

tortoise · « **Reply #3 on:** April 17, 2007, 03:06:14 pm »

I hope that's for all 4 springs.

PJungnitsch · « **Reply #4 on:** April 17, 2007, 03:20:14 pm »

You may not want to sink too much into this one. Most owners seem to like how they perform but reliability wise they often turn into money pits:

http://carsurvey.org/modelyear_Oldsmobile_Alero_2000.html

wing · « **Reply #5 on:** April 17, 2007, 04:29:42 pm »

Yeah seriously I would expect that to be for 4 springs. You wouldn't want to only change 1 spring anyways since it would cause very odd handling.

That still seems like a lot of $ for springs for an Alero though, especially when I bought aftermarket performance springs for my S2000 for like $250.

rrocket · « **Reply #6 on:** April 17, 2007, 07:20:42 pm »

Yes..the Alero is a POS. Trish has one. Anyways, go on E-bay and type in "Alero Springs" You can get a set for $179 US. It will drop the car 25mm or so...but it will handle better. And you'll save yourself a TON of money. I hate the Alero with all my heart...

articsteve · « **Reply #7 on:** April 17, 2007, 08:21:12 pm »

Quote from: outtllaw on April 17, 2007, 02:52:20 pm

I went to my mechanic today and he took a look at the car and said that the front right spring is broken, he also had two Alero in his shop for the same problem . He told me that it would cost me $800 for the part to fix the car. Can I keep driving for a while until I can get some money to fix this lemon?

You get the spring out of wrecker for about $40. V6 or 4? I think the strut is the same as in a Grand Am, but in any event it's just another part out of the GM parts bin so there should be thousands available.

If it is really a front spring the car should not be drivable for everyday use.

It takes a pretty big hit to snap a spring.

barrie1 · « **Reply #8 on:** April 17, 2007, 09:20:38 pm »

I would suggest changing out the 2 front ones to keep them matched up in height. Even the Cargo Coil Brand which is a very high quality product will do the job for a lot less cost then that. you might want to check with a spring shop as there prices should be a lot lower then that for sure. I can possibly see new shocks going in included in that price also.

outtllaw · « **Reply #9 on:** April 17, 2007, 11:51:54 pm »

Can I just get both springs installed or do I need to install the shock absorbers as well? I don’t think I want to install used springs on my car, because I just installed a used stablizerbar a few months ago when the old one broke and last summer I installed a used ac compressor, which broke down in the middle of the summer heat wave

.
Thanks for your help guys

rrocket · « **Reply #10 on:** April 18, 2007, 12:07:22 am »

No need to put new shocks on unless the stockers are worn out...But you might consider it since it won't cost any more labour to put shocks on too (shocks have to come out to put springs on). Your only cost would be the price of the shocks.

The Fuzz · « **Reply #11 on:** April 18, 2007, 09:54:01 am »

Wifey's Alero went in the shop today for the same type of thing. The mechanic said it is the strut so we'll get both replaced while it's in the air. $280+tax.

And again, we're quite happy with the Alero other than the brakes. It's our third Olds and we have not had major trouble with any of them. Knock knock knock.

articsteve · « **Reply #12 on:** April 18, 2007, 12:39:26 pm »

Quote from: outtllaw on April 17, 2007, 11:51:54 pm

Can I just get both springs installed or do I need to install the shock absorbers as well? I don’t think I want to install used springs on my car, because I just installed a used stablizerbar a few months ago when the old one broke and last summer I installed a used ac compressor, which broke down in the middle of the summer heat wave .
Thanks for your help guys

Can I just get both springs installed or do I need to install the shock absorbers as well

If the spring was truly broken then the strut insert (the shock) will be BLOWN.

I don’t think I want to install used springs on my car, because I just installed a used stablizerbar a few months ago when the old one broke

So ... what's the problem, why buy new? on a car that has essentially no value.

last summer I installed a used ac compressor, which broke down in the middle of the summer heat wave

So your comparing a used AC compressor with and used spring.

Used AC compressors are a very dubious buy.

If you want to throw away money then I'm happy for you. But the sensible thing on a 7 year old Alero is to buy a used strut from a wrecker. Research, but I believe Grand Ams have the same part. V6 or 4? There must be a zillion good ones available. When you get the strut it will have the spring inside it. I could install a complete strut in that car in 10 minutes. SO me thinks your mechanic is greedy.

rrocket · « **Reply #13 on:** April 18, 2007, 05:41:59 pm »

^^^^Steve...isn't that a coil over shock on those? If so it would take you 10 minutes just to swap springs....

articsteve · « **Reply #14 on:** April 18, 2007, 08:24:04 pm »

Quote from: rrocket on April 18, 2007, 05:41:59 pm

^^^^Steve...isn't that a coil over shock on those? If so it would take you 10 minutes just to swap springs....

I checked and the fronts are definitely MacPherson struts.

If so it would take you 10 minutes just to swap springs....

It takes me a lot more time than 10 minutes to swap springs. I've got a sh*ty set of spring compressors and I really don't enjoy that part much so I really take my time.

The point I was trying to make to this owner was to just simplify the process and get a good used strut and have whomever re & re it. However, outlaw is pretty vague about things so I don't know how serious this post is, but I highly doubt that the spring snapped. If anything I think that the top strut mount bearing blew out. That would account for his symptoms.

rrocket · « **Reply #15 on:** April 18, 2007, 09:57:14 pm »

Even a bad balljoint would make a similar awful sound...

barrie1 · « **Reply #16 on:** April 19, 2007, 12:10:23 am »

A bad ball joint that made that bad of a noise would be pulling the car to one side and definitely shouldn't be driven period if it was that loud. It would be at the end of its life service and ready to drop out. I think the mechanic who inspected it is correct but way too high a price just for the springs alone.

outtllaw · « **Reply #17 on:** April 22, 2007, 12:54:57 am »

I got both springs installed as recommended and it only cost me $210, that’s parts and labour. Although the clunking sound is gone I still have a bit of rattle coming from right front side when I turn. Can this be because the springs are new and need to settle or do I have another problem?

articsteve · « **Reply #18 on:** April 22, 2007, 01:13:36 am »

or do I have another problem?

Better check for an IED just to be on the safe side.

barrie1 · « **Reply #19 on:** April 22, 2007, 10:02:46 pm »

Sometimes the strut bearings also get tired and they can and will rattle when hitting a bump or you are cornering. I had this problem with my 1991 Fleetwood and I changed the struts as well as the Strut Bearings which totally stopped the rattle noise completely. Actually my struts were not all that bad but the Bearings were totally Kaput so I made it a paying trip to change them both with New Munroes. Just as quiet and smooth as glass again as this Car has the air ride in the rear which is still working extremely well.