herro_panda

Hi all,

I was beginning to notice a bit of a "creak" developing from the front driver's side. It was relatively minor and would come and go, so I didn't think too much of it. Put the car up on jacks and everything looked fine as well (pic attached).

However, the last time I took the car out, it got bad...like really bad. I finally got a chance to get it on video, so hopefully the audio might be familiar to someone. I'm guessing it's something with the spring/shock or lower ball joint. Feeling a bit under the weather this week, so may not get it back on stands for a few days, but was hoping for some input on what I could focus on.

The attached audio starts from backing out of a parking lot (the large creak at around 5 seconds is from cutting the wheel back), then driving around the streets. Phone was placed near the "dead pedal", for reference. Once I get on the highway, it becomes much less noticeable. Does not matter if I am in gear or if the clutch is in, but sharp steering inputs or braking does seem to make it a bit louder for a moment.

Car is a 2007 TL-S 6MT with around 76k miles.

thoiboi

Could also be motor mounts

BROlando

Its probably a lower ball joint.

It only makes noise when the car is sitting on the ground, but goes away when you lift it up?

herro_panda

Hmm, it seems to be coming from the driver's side though. Isn't that the transmission?


Haven't gotten around to lifting it, but I was thinking of sticking the jack on the LCA this time. Looks like these are a pain to replace...

Would these be the replacements for them?
51220-SDA-A02 (JOINT, FRONT BALL (LOWER)) **Includes Ball Joint, Boot and Ball Clip
90363-SEP-A00 (NUT, CASTLE (12mm))
94201-30220 (PIN, SPLIT (3.0 x 22))

tenacious tl

iTrader: (1)

Those look to be the right parts. I recently replaced my lower ball joints and it's a pretty involved process. You'll want to watch lots of videos, rent tools like a ball joint tool and axle nut sockets. I also ordered a time sert kit to re-tap the threads in my brembo calipers. The ball joint tool also did not fit for removing the ball joints, so I ended up cutting off the stud and pounding them out with a hammer. I had to try a few different ball joint separators because the sleeve in the lower control arm tends to stay stuck on the ball joint. I also didn't remove the ABS sensors and instead just unplugged them and left them attached to the steering knuckle when I removed it.

i have a front end clunk that I'm also trying to diagnose and this did not resolve it. However, I have 213k on my car and these lower ball joints seemed like they were ready for replacement.

BROlando

Its simple, as far as I see it.

Remove the spindle. Pound the old ball joint out with a hammer (be smart on how you brace the spindle). Put the new one in with a press.

Done-zo. 1hr or so.

herro_panda

Sorry for the lack of updates, been a bit busy.

It's simple, but as you pointed out: Put the new one in with a press. I don't have a press, lol.

I was considering pulling off the knuckle and taking it to a shop, but due to a lack of space and the fact that I just got done doing all the ball joint boots on my Miata (which was quite a pain) and know how easily I might mess up the other other ball joints trying to remove them, I figured I'd just take it to the dealer since they said they could just do the ball joints. My go-to shop said they would only replace the entire knuckle. Well, the dealer couldn't press out the passenger balljoint, so ended up replacing the whole knuckle. So that was a $1200 experience...

Haven't exactly been driving it around a lot, but have yet to hear the noise come back, so that was likely the issue, for future reference. If I hear it again, I'll be sure to update.

Thanks!