Impreza is making some strange noises

[Legacy777]

My 97 Impreza has started making some weird clunks/noises.

It sounds like something is loose. I mainly hear it when going over bumps at low speeds, or just when starting out. It even seems to make some noise when I depress the brake pedal after moving slightly, and them coming to a stop. Other times, I can hear a squeaking (what sounds like metal on metal) when I turn the wheel slightly from center.

I have jacked the car up and did the yank on the wheel test...everything seems secure. The only thing I did find was that the steering rack boot has a tear in it where the clamp holds it to the tie rod. It appears it was replaced before with an aftermarket boot that was too small. I ended up running through some deep water a few weeks ago, and probably got water in there. I could see the squeeking noise coming from the rack, but I don't really see how the rack could be making the clunking noise......I don't know....

Thoughts?

[greg donovan]

one of the shims has worked its way loose on my front brakes and scrapes on the rotor everynow and then.

maybe something like that has happened?

[Legacy777]

Yeah......I'm using EBC Red Stuff pads. The shims are welded on to my knowledge.

I will have to take a closer look. I just looked at it breifly the other night.

[BAC5.2]

Strut tops destroyed? Happens often.

[DLC]

The fronts do have bearings in 'em...

[evolutionmovement]

antiroll bar bushings shot? Squeak could be the brake backing plate, even if it doesn't touch at rest. Make sure there's a good 1/4" between the disc and plate.

[Legacy777]

I've looked briefly at the strut tops.....and at the bearings......I may have to take the nuts off the top that hold the top to the car and see how they feel.

I replaced the struts when I got the car, and everything seemed fine when I did the work.

Anti-roll bushings looked ok as well.

I didn't check the steering rack bushings....which I probably should do.

[Legacy777]

Well after a long while, I finally got under the car with a big pry bar. It was the passenger side ball joint. It would move up and down, making a clunking noise when you went over a bump.

New ball joints, tie rods, and steering rack boots are on order. It'll be nice to have that fixed.

[Legacy777]

Even after replacing all that crap.

See this thread for more info
http://bbs.legacycentral.org/viewtopic.php?t=36354

I still have a clunk. I'm pretty sure it's the sway bar and/or links. I took the links off, and the noise went away when turning. So I'm going to try and find some new links to stick on in the front......stupid impreza.

[Legacy777]

Turns out the clunk was still the ball joint on the passenger side. I apparently did not torque the bolt tight enough so the ball joint was moving until it hit the bolt. I tightened the bolt some more, and the noise appears to have gone away. I'll know for sure whether that was it when I drive it some more.