Crunching noise from suspension?!

hamsardy

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Hello all,

Firstly, thanks for having me here at this forum. After doing a little browsing, I've already found answers to several problems I've had with my 2010 Cobalt LT. I want to say thanks to all of you that have saved me hundreds if not thousands on repair costs at a mechanics shop!

So as you can see in the title, I've been having some other issues with my cobalt as well. I live in Iowa and we've been having some really unfortunate weather here and my poor cobalt has taken a beating because of it! I have the rattle that a lot of you seem to have but I've noticed a new sound as of last week and it's very unsettling. When I drive over large humps or potholes at low speeds I hear what sounds like a crunch coming from the suspension area on the front passenger side. To compare it, I'd say it sounds like there's a chunk of snow lodged in my wheel well, but there's not! I've taken the wheel off and looked around but I'm not really sure what to look for. Has anyone else ever had this issue?? Please help!!!

And just to confirm, that common "rattle" heard from the suspension at low speeds, that is the sway bar end links right? I've seen a couple people post about that being the issue but I've also seen some people saying it's the control arm bushing. I will replace both if needed I'm just not real sure how to narrow it down.

Any help is really appreciated. Thanks for taking time out of your day to help a fellow cobalt owner!
 

The Other Andy

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I believe I have the same thing going on. Does it only do it when cold? My suspension makes a very crunch-like noise when it's cold out, but quiets down when the temps have risen outside or I've driven it a while.
 

hamsardy

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Yes! It was a bit warmer today and I didn't notice it nearly as bad. I've searched the forums and all I can come up with is either a seized ball joint or strut issue (bearing maybe?). Going to pull the wheel off today and see if I notice anything out of the ordinary.
 

thogan3

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Yes! It was a bit warmer today and I didn't notice it nearly as bad. I've searched the forums and all I can come up with is either a seized ball joint or strut issue (bearing maybe?). Going to pull the wheel off today and see if I notice anything out of the ordinary.
Mine does the same thing, only 40k miles.....above 15F the crunching goes away
 

hamsardy

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That makes me feel a little better. I have 110k miles on my car but I can still hear the crunching unless it's 50F+. Anyone narrowed it down to a specific part yet?
 

YelloEye

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I don't have a *crunch* noise, my rear springs squeak with extra weight in the back or over speed bumps..
 

hamsardy

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Alright guys so I pulled the front wheels off today because it was a bit nicer. I tinkered around looking for anything loose or out of the ordinary, but nothing! End links were solid and didn't budge a bit. Struts looked good and rusty. Ball joint seemed to be fine. There was no play in the tire. I couldn't tell if the control arm bushing was pushed out but I'm sure that's bad since I have 110k miles. Only thing I noticed was the rack and pinion moved a bit, is that normal?
 

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