**HELP** with front end noise

I have a 2004 sebring and here in the last to weeks a very random popping noise has started. It sounds like it is coming from the drivers side front end, I can feel it very little in the steering wheel. Any ideas what this might be and how easy it would be to get repaired.
 
 

I am having this exact same issue with my 2004 Convertible Sebring!!  It is a loud popping/knocking noise and it feels like it is coming through the steering column because I can feel the pulsation through the steering wheel.  I have taken my car back to the dealership 5 times now and they can't seem to figure out what the problem is, although they continue to charge me for unneeded repairs.  I was told that I would either have to wait until the problem gets worse or keep bring it back and paying for them to repair it until the noise finally stops.  I have also emailed Chrysler and they were of absolutely no assistance.  They keep telling me to keep in touch with the dealer.  Please let me know what you are able to find out.

At least i'm not alone on this. I have also took it to the dealership with no results. So i took it to a friend of mine that is a independent. I had it for less than 2 hours and noise is gone. He told me that i should think about replacing the struts on it, he stated that he lifted it on his hoist (not one you drive on but the old school. let it sit for a few and stated that by letting it kind of "hang out" it may have aligned the struts back up or reseated them. That is all he did, and ever since the noise is gone, so got me.

You saw the other posting on this forum that is related to this?  I quickly discussed my problem as part of the thread, but it sound just like yours.  I found another chat site that included the TSB 2301203, which can be viewed at "http://www.dodgetalk.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-16336.html".  I'm going to take a copy of the description to my dealer which might help get to the heart of the problem.  The TSB mentions the installation of two rivets; I'll be interested to see if the dealer agrees.

Well, there are many of us with this problem. drutkay, please let us know what your dealer says about that TSB, and if it works. Thanks.

I have posted more on the "front noise/rattling" thread.  In short, the TSB didn't fix the problem.  I plan to take the car back and discuss further with my dealer.

I have a 2003 GTC that does the same thing.  It has made the noise ever since I got it.  The noise is noticable, but not as loud as yours seems to be.  I'll try to notice exactly when it happens and post again later.

Ross:  Have you taken the vehicle in to be checked?  Is there any TSB that might related to your vehicle and this problem?  

Hello Guys,
firts of all, I'm new in this forum and writing from Germany, so please apollogize my BBE (Broken Business English)

It seems, this problem is typical for Chrysler (Sebring, Stratus & Co.). We have in Germany by more or less all vehicles the same issue, but the reasons seems different:

1. Brakes. By my car my dealer told me, that (some?) brake-pads are not right manufactured, so it could be, that "braking-dust" and other dirt the pads will be "blocked" in the brake-saddle. I.e. you're driving straight and turn left or right in a side street by simultanious braking, the pads would make these noises. Solution: de-install the brake-pads, cleaning of brakes from dust and others and re-install the pads. Solves but only for roundabout 3.000 km.
2. Shock absorber area. There will be a  point between the spring and the upper mount spring-pad, which needs some oil. Also on the top of the shock absorber in the engine area will be a "hole" beside the nut. There will be also some oil needed.

BUT: be careful to work by yourself in this critical area. The "Haynes Repair Manual" (or comparable) should be consulted first.
Well, hope this helps.

Regards from merry ol' Germany

While my dealer couldn't hear the noise, they did suggest that I get my front brakes replaced (they were never quite right - I should have did something while they were under warranty).  The brakes are great now, but the noise remains.  I have had at times considerable "creeking" noise from the struts as well as the banging noise at the front driver side.  I'll look at using your second suggestion and see if this helps one of my noise source.

I have been watching the forum to see if anything develops on this problem. Drutkay, my creaking is still there as well. I've had the dealer do some of the things that were previouls mentioned on this thread, but like you, the noise never goes away. I did have someone suggest to me an issue with the struts, but I have not tried that as of yet. Thanks Silverstar.

I figured that it is either in the steering (as a full turn of the steering wheel seems to end the noise for a short period) or in the strut/steering knuckle.  I'm going to try the lube of the strut as previously mentioned

I leased a 2004 sebring with the same problem, took it to the shop 9times within 8 wks, they did the tsb, didn't fix the problem, they did the rivets,nothing, replaced the bushings, lubed the tie rods. They basically took the area a part and put it back together, have them check for any possible loose bolts, i know that was the last thing they did on my car, and it seemed to solve the problem, also have them check the rotors as they seem to go bad very quickly on sebrings. I am glad to say that my lease will be up in 3wks, sorry but no more chrysler for me.

I really find it strange that folks dont seek out TSB's and Recalls.

In my opinion, every should register free at www.mycarstat.com ... here they list TSB's, Recalls, complaints and investigations.  This is a great site to hold the dealers balls to the walls .. Sorry Chrysler Tech .. guys like you arent included .... wish there were more like C.T. out there but unfortunately, there isnt.

So get on out there, setup an account and add ALL your vehicles and subscribe to auto email updates.

Regards
Chris

I certainly agree with the last comment in general, but in my case, I did seek out the TSBs etc.  I can't say that it really made a difference, as seems to be the case with several others.  I think something just isn't seated correctly in the front left assembly, as I noted in a earlier posting.   But to go find the problem becomes very expensive when the car is no longer under warranty.  Fortunately, my problem has been quiet for the last 4 weeks, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed.  

Okay i think i have solved the mysterious noise on my car. I tightened the 2 rod things that mount to the back side of the a-arm they have something to do with the steering. If some one knows what they are please tell me and what all is hooked to them. After tighting them the poping noise stopped. It does return on ocasion after driving 70mph but goes away. i hope this helsps eveyone.

I am been having the same problem. I took my car to the dealership and they couldn't find anything wrong. I was eventully told the Chrysler is claiming this is a problem with this model and it is plastic rubbing together. They said not to worry about it, it's not a safely hazard, just something annoying I have to live with. I don't know if I believe them or not but I wanted to share the info. 

It has been a while but the noise has returned off and on.  I have also noticed that my suspension has a "crunching" noise that has been louder in the recent days.  Both are in the left front wheel assembly, and I do believe that these things are related.  I did an inspection tonight and have noticed that rear portion of the shock clevis appears to be in contact with the lower control arm.  I couldn't slip a piece of paper between the two.  I would be surprised if this contact is by design.  I didn't check the right side but will tomorrow night.  Has anyone else noticed this that has the noise.  I wonder if they don't eventually come in fully in contact and start to bind, thus making the infrequent sound as they release. 

Burkj, I suspect that you are talking about the tie rods.  Could they move freely by hand?   I have had these checked early by the dealer in the search of the problem, but if I take my car in, I hope that they are checked again as part of their

Mariak, I will assume that the sound that you have is more metallic than plastic.  After a hundred years of cars building, why should we have to live with this?  If other models/manufacturers don't, why should this car?  That's just a cop-out answer

heres the tsb # from chrysler for your strut noise 23-039-04 send me an email and ill give you a complete copy.moe heres my addy jjsticks@comcast.net

Moe:  I'll sent you an e-mail, but I think that a number of us have had the TSB in question done by our respective dealers without any success.  Is this different than the one where two rivets are installed in the upper struct housing area?  

yeah kay thats the one.heres one we had last week.t was a car like yours we had noise from right side when you bounced car. i found out the tie rod ends were rusted but you couldn't tell because of the covering.so i took a small screwdriver and punched a hole in the boot and put some "WD40" in the opening till it ran out.noise worked its way out.never came back.worth a try!

I  hope that I have this figured out.  I had the bushings replaced because of an increasing crunching noise with the shocks over every bump, when the car stopped etc.  The first day after the repair the quietness was great,  Then on a long trip (same day), both the shocks and the banging reappeared to the point that I was ready to sell.  Once I arrived home, I tested the left front.  If the front wheel is pressed down, there's fairly loud clicking produced.  I first sprayed the struct mount area (see a couple of postings back in this thread), then worked the wheel/suspension 15-20 times.  The drive next day was perfect and has remained for the last week.  There remains a very slight clicking noise (not the same as the first one) when pushing down on the body over the wheel and it seems to be coming from the upper strut mount area. But the drive is excellent and QUIET. I know that this will not last, but I will get the front struts changed at some point. 

does the noise come from center of wheel like the axle area?try standing on side of car and have some one drive  the car from reverse and then forward (almost like rocking affect)see if axle nuts may have come loose.see this problem on pacificas alot.moe.

Is anyone else having noise in the rear-end as well?  02 sebring has the front end noise everyone is describing, but i've learned to live with it, but the back end is starting to "click" everytime the suspension moves more than 2-3 inches.

chsb02:

If you see my previous posting, I'm sure that this could apply to the rear struts as well.  I would surmise that the upper coil is not seating properly at either the top or bottom end, or possible the strut's absorber rod is out of alignement or worn.  Something along these lines.

Try standing beside the wheel well and press down on the body to get the suspension to compress.  Is there an unique noise?  If there's a crunching noise - it could be the mount bushings, but if it's a distinct metal sound, my guess is as I noted above.  In either case, there is a very small amount  that permitting the noise to be created. I have put the front of the car on the jack to let the strut expand.  Sometimes this helps for a short while as the components get a chance to re-align.

I've come to the conclusion after 10 months that the noise is in the upper strut area.  Right now everything great (considering it cost me $400 to get the front strut bushings changed and things were actually worst for about 3 days).  As I wrote before, I know that it will not last and I'm prep to get the struts changed when I've had enoungh of the noise.  But you now have my entire theory on the matter.