legacycentral bbs

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?

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?

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.

Strut tops destroyed? Happens often.

The fronts do have bearings in 'em...

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.