muffled rattle sound. Please help.

jordan · 12-12-2003, 12:05 AM

On my 2000 Alero Coupe I am getting a muffled rattle sound (sorta like a knocking) emitting from the front end drivers side It doesn’t matter how bumpy the surface is or how fast I am going I get this sound. The road must be perfectly smooth for me not to hear a sound. It is much louder and worse in the colder weather than in the warm weather. A buddy and me put the front up on jack stands, took the wheels off and inspected the rack and pinion steering and nothing in it is loose or worn out. Ball-joints are good, tie rod ends are good, so what the hell. No play in steering either and the car runs great.

Anyone got any ideas>? Please help. This sound is annoying.

12-12-2003, 03:29 AM

could possibly be a wheel bearing not sure though could also possibly be a strut plate not likely though

johny_boy32 · 12-12-2003, 08:33 AM

I wouldnt say possibly on the strut mount...thats what mine was....have it checked out.

12-12-2003, 02:10 PM

bald spot on tires?

jordan · 12-12-2003, 09:20 PM

The GM dealership (jim Gauthier) checked out the car and it turns out both strut mounts need replacement.

johny_boy32 · 12-15-2003, 09:52 AM

thank you thank you....i'll be here all week...lol.

jordan · 12-16-2003, 10:17 PM

Changing monts didn't fix problem so now they are going to hook up little sound sensitive electrodes to a bunch of places in the front end to sense and pinpoint the sound. They inspected all the bushings and all are fine. what the hell?

12-16-2003, 11:51 PM

Jordan are you from winnipeg? (jim Gauthier?)

johny_boy32 · 12-17-2003, 09:27 AM

what about just the struts...did you have to pay for that or was it under warranty?

jordan · 12-17-2003, 01:14 PM

I do live in Winnipeg. I had to pay for that repair and now they are trying to find the problem again, but with electronic equipment. I am waiting for their phone call cause I'm worried that they won't find the problem. The noise sounds like monkeys beating on drums when driving over rough terrain.

jordan · 12-17-2003, 04:13 PM

The front right strut is confirmed to be the source of the noise. So now I'm gonna replace it after Christmas. they said I can drive for a long time with no harm.

daiglepatrick · 12-22-2006, 05:10 PM

I have a 2000 alero with the same problem...I'll have to get mine checked too....It is anoying and with the cold weather here...in the mean time I'll have to turn up the radio...lol

whiteliquid · 12-23-2006, 12:11 AM

edit: post skimming again

dbailey · 12-27-2006, 10:44 PM

My 2000 was doing the same exact thing. They replaced the struts and strut mounts and didn't fix it. Then they said a bushing was bad but I can't remember which one. Maybe the stablizer bar bushing????? They also said, of all things, that the hood bolts were a little loose and when I went back to get it, the rattling noise was gone and hasn't returned so far.