How To Find Suspension Noises 101 - EricTheCarGuy

How To Find Suspension Noises 101 - EricTheCarGuy

This is probably one of the most popular questions that I get so I'm happy to bring you this one because I know it's going to save me some typing. I may have missed a couple of things but I believe I've covered the basics on this one so this video should give you more than enough to start with.

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Due to factors beyond the control of EricTheCarGuy, it cannot guarantee against unauthorized modifications of this information, or improper use of this information.  EricTheCarGuy assumes no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. EricTheCarGuy recommends safe practices when working with power tools, automotive lifts, lifting tools, jack stands, electrical equipment, blunt instruments, chemicals, lubricants, or any other tools or equipment seen or implied in this video.  Due to factors beyond the control of EricTheCarGuy, no information contained in this video shall create any express or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result.  Any injury, damage or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not EricTheCarGuy.

[faizthemg]

6:23 ball joint
7:45 tie rod end
8:21 stabilizer link
9:00 lower control arm
9:23 power steering mount
9:32 CV joint
9:50 upper control arm
10:18 spring / strut (absorber)
12:35 strut rods bushing
13:30 loose bolts, screws
14:08 upper strut mount
14:25 engine mount
16:10 exhaust mount

thank me later ;)

[shonndam]

I have never met a mechanic as thorough and detailed minded with the patience and ability to explain in (an almost poetic way 😉) so people can and will understand and want to listen..! Excellent job my friend...!!! Golf clap!👏🏁😂😉

[paddy]

I have serviced my own car since I was eighteen. I'm still doing servicing now I'm sixty five. Different cars though. This man knows what he is talking about.

[Anonymous-itjw]

For a quick test, if you lower the driver's window, then open the driver's door fully, you can grab the top area of the door firmly and push it down, using the door as a "lever" to move the car up and down on the suspension, and if there are suspension noises, you will probably hear them immediately (thanks to the Car Wizard Channel for this tip). Engine mount noises can be heard and/or felt if you put the car in gear, and while pushing the brake pedal firmly, accelerate slightly then let off, so the car doesn't move, and you can feel a bump when you let off on the gas, when the engine falls back on the broken mount. If the hood is open, you or your buddy will be able to see one side of the engine rise and fall as you do this. Because engines only rotate in one direction, the torque of the engine pushes down on one side engine mount and pulls up on the other side engine mount. Some vehicles have several engine mounts in different locations, so the effect of the torque on the mounts can vary.

[caseyfguerra]

SUPER HELPFUL! I had to use a new mechanic to fix a noise. He said it was my CV axle.I was confused because I just got the right one changed out. He said it was the left one that needs it now. I hear the noise on the right though. EricTheCarGuy confirmed that if the noise is on the left, it's the right one that needs changed. If the noise is on the right, it's the left one that needs changed. Phew! Thank goodness I now don't feel like I'm getting ripped off. THANK YOU for being so thorough!! Yay!

[daver]

You are a special breed, my man! The only person I know that would spend that much time & effort tracking down & diagnosing an issue is....me. Seriously, it’s been 20 years since I’ve been able to find a mechanic willing to spend more than 15-20 mins “inspecting” my car. This last one (at a dealership) didn’t even test drive my car and sent me an “inspection report” with a bunch of green check marks (meaning: everything is a-okay 100% 👌). They installed unbalanced wheels on my car last month, just before an 8 hour road trip at interstate speeds. My car’s been steering itself to the left ever since & started making that rusty hinge squeaky bed sound on acceleration & braking. Looks like I’m spending my weekend fixing it myself.

But, back to you....this video has a ton of great information & the kind of tips/tricks that usually have to be learned the hard way. Thank you for taking the time to share & for caring so much about what you do. That seems to be getting increasingly more difficult to find.

[dougboone]

Just finding this video in 2020 - this gives me hope that I'll find the mystery noise that mechanics haven't been able to locate. Just subscribed!

[lee]

Your a great teacher. I have a college degree in Automotive Technology AAS. Your easy to listen to and not an egomaniac. I haven't worked in a professional garage in 30 years. But trouble shooting never changes. Keep up the great work.

[Brusko]

this guy is giving all he got just to teach others. very informative. thank you

[sarahdeshay]

Direct to the point with no aggravating background music. Thanks Eric.

[joesphstone]

I never take the time to leave a comment on any videos I watch. I have watched several of your trouble shooting videos over the years and you are very knowledgable and take the time to explain things very well. Thank you and keep up the good work!

[larryheller]

Great video, Eric! I'm a pretty experienced amateur mechanic (been working on cars for 50 years) and have done a lot of work on suspension, brakes, steering and the like, but I still learned a LOT from this video! The orange dust trick, for example - very cool! Also, it was densely packed with information. Nothing worse than spending time watching people turn a wrench over and over until they remove an oil pan - the time spent watching this video was all useful! Thanks!

[karlo]

hi Eric, thank you for another great video. one thing i have found that works well for diagnosing movement was to lift the vehicle by the frame till the tire is about 2 inches off the ground and the place a small block of wood (i use a foot long piece of 2x4) up next to the tire and then get a long pry bar and lever the tire up and down (simulating the bumps while driving). i then look and listen for failed ball joints etc, i try it while steering is all the way in each direction and also straight. i just thought i would mention this as i find it easier than trying to pry right on the ball joint to check, and you can look at multiple components at the same time. hope someone might find this useful. As for my problem i had checked all the usual suspects and couldnt find the problem but after your video i looked again and it turned out to be the power steering rack mount cracked on one side. I never thought to look there. I learned something new today, thanks again.

[dandeleona]

I'm so happy you found the problem. So many times garages just start trial and error replacements at owner expense, and the problem STILL isn't fixed. I've also had shops find the problem, or make a problem, send it back until the owner is so frustrated with being nickle and dimed, and then the shop offers to 'take the car off your hands' for a song and then resells it. The corner shop did that to a friend and almost to me until I figured it out.

One of the first clues was his two mechanics would shoot each other an embarrassed and uncomfortable look like: "He's doing it to another customer". I'd talk to them, but they wouldn't meet my eyes and couldn't give me straight answers about the repairs.

[tmst]

OK. I've been watching Eric's videos for awhile. But it just struck me that this guy is a mechanical freaking genius. Suspension is very complicated to wrap your head around.

[Jigaboo]

God video-and I like his honesty " I spent days looking for a noise"
Haven't we all buddy.
Many years ago I was working in haulage and one guy was having trouble with a Volvo F86 articulated semi - an intermittent click from the streering.
The unit was nearly brand new,  about 6 months old or so.
Ended up with everybody in the place trying to find it, including the manager.
There were 6 of us in the pit once, and after changing the steering box it seemed ok, but on one turn it clicked again.
One guy in a rage hit the spring  hanger bracket  with his hammer- and he noise disappeared!
It was a dry shackle pin transmitting the noise and vibration through the chassis  and up to the steering wheel.
Only thing Eric forgot was to say that noises  (and  vibration)travel through metal a lot and can easily appear to be from a different source. 

[mmartin]

I drive an 04 X5 and this is the most expensive car I’ve ever owned (as In constant repairs) so I think this video is great for trying to find and fix issues yourself. Ive been taken too many times by repair men (being a woman) so am trying to learn some things on my own. Keep making great videos! Thanks!

[marinkojezabek]

Great job Eric. Its good that you've shown a problem that you thought was a typical suspension issue, but that turned out to be an engine mount. An inexperienced person may not find this as they are just focused underneath the car. Also, thank you for going over all the potential areas that may be a problem and discussing it instead of just finding the problem and ending it there.

[Physicsnerd]

Thank you Eric! Diagnostics are the most important part of any repair. The repair itself is secondary. Poor diagnostics leads to multiple repairs. The definition of a 'backyard mechanic' is one who replaces parts until the problem is solved.

[marksanne]

Must've been 10+ years ago when I first watched thus video. And now, while looking for how to resolve my hard to find Mazda 6 GH suspesion knock, it's Eric to the rescue once again!