Diagnose & Fix
Do you hear a front end rattle when going over bumps? Do you hear a rattling noise under the car when driving? If you hear a rattling sound during any of these, it could mean you have a suspension problem which could include: a bad control arm bushing, bad ball joint, bad tie rod, bad strut mount, bad sway bar link, or bad sway bar bushings. In this video and below, we’ll explain how to test each of these parts to see which is causing a rattling noise when going over bumps.
How to Diagnose What is Causing My Front End to Rattle Over Bumps
Perform a Bounce Test
Before raising and securing the vehicle with a jack and jack stands, press down on the vehicle a few times to mimic a bounce or shaking and listen for where the rattling sound might be. If the rattling noise is consistent during this test, it could be from a bad strut.
Check for Bad Struts or Bad Strut Bushings
- Have an assistant press down on the car to mimic bouncing
- With gloves and without pinching your hands, feel the coil spring or the strut itself and feel for the rattling noise vibrating if you can’t hear it. If you feel rattling near the top, it’s probably the strut mount.
- With the hood open, gently shake the car and observe the strut mount. There should be some movement but no knocking noise.
Check the Inner and Outer Tie Rods for Movement/Play
- Raise and secure the vehicle with a jack and jack stands
- Gently shake the tire side-to-side from the 3 and 9 o’clock positions (Make sure the steering wheel isn’t the type to go back and forth, mimicking play when there isn’t any)
- While shaking the tire, check and feel for play and have an assistant watch the inner and outer tie rod ends for movement. If there is movement/play, you have a bad inner or outer tie rod end.
Check the Ball Joint for Movement/Play
- Raise and secure the vehicle with a jack and jack stands
- Gently shake the wheel in and out from the 12 and 6 o’clock positions
- Sometimes ball joints can feel like they have no play. Have an assistant look at the ball joint and see if it’s moving up or down to confirm
- You can also test ball joints with adjustable pliers by squeezing them and checking for play
- You can also test a ball joint by gently prying up with a pry bar and checking for play
Check for Bad Control Arm Bushings
- Test the control arm bushings by nudging the end of the control arm with a pry bar and testing for play. If you hear a knocking or see significant movement, it’s time to replace the control arm.
- Check the control arm bushings for dry rot or cracking. If the bushings are overly rusted or cracked, it’s time to replace the control arm.
Check for Bad Sway Bar Links
Sway bar links tend to rattle or make knocking sounds when driving over bumps. If you usually hear a rattling noise when driving over bumps, there’s a good chance it could be the sway bar links.
- Grab the end of the sway bar link with both hands and wiggle it up and down. Listen for a clunking or rattling noise. If you hear a rattling noise, it’s time to replace the sway bar links.
Check for Bad Sway Bar Bushings
- Grab the sway bar and gently rock it up and down. If you can make the sway bar without much resistance and there’s excessive play, the sway bar bushings are worn and need to be replaced.
Replace Any of These Parts Yourself
If you find any of these parts caused a rattling noise while accelerating, find a how-to video specific to your repair and vehicle in 1A Auto’s how-to video library.
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Shop Parts and Tools Featured in This Article
- Shocks and Struts
- Tie Rods
- Ball Joints
- Control Arms
- Sway Bar Links and Bushings
- Jack and Jack Stands
- Gloves
Related Content
- Rattling Noise Under Car?
- Clunking Noise from the Rear of the Car? [Diagnose & Fix]
- Bad Ball Joint? [Expert Advice to Diagnose & Fix]
- Got Wheel Wobble? Test for a Bad or Noisy Wheel Bearing
- Front-End Clunking Noise? [Mechanic Advice + Video]
- Bad Shocks & Struts Symptoms
- When Should Shocks And Struts Be Replaced?
