Clunking noise, front end 98 ETC

boxhalr188 · #1 (**permalink**) 02-13-07, 02:31 PM

My 98 Eldorado ETC makes a clunking noise on rough roads (any speed). I put it on the rack and everything is tight except the stabilizer bars have some play in the link ends. My question is, is this a home garage fix and if so any precautions to observe (parts under tension etc?) I have tools and jacks and a pretty good mechanical background. Where is a good place to buy the needed parts other than the local Caddy dealer-- I'm not to thrilled with them. I'm new to the "club" so any help will be appreciated. Thanks.

CadillacSTS2003 · #2 (**permalink**) 02-13-07, 02:32 PM

i dont see why not
they arnt that hard i didm on my 83 TA...

iametarq · #3 (**permalink**) 02-13-07, 03:06 PM

End Links are easy to replace and do-able in your garage. I did mine myself. They are about $18 a piece from your dealer. That's probably what your noise is if they are loose.

As for your precautions, raise the vehicle properly with jack stands or a lift.

97STS4ME · #4 (**permalink**) 02-13-07, 06:00 PM

This thread brings up one thing I forgot to check on my car this past weekend. I replaced the balljoints and tie rod ends, which helped, but I still have some random clunks in the front end.

Does your car have the sealed balljoint type end links? How do you tell if they're bad?

boxhalr188 · #5 (**permalink**) 02-13-07, 09:57 PM

I think they are sealed. I had the car on a friends lift and we spent some time checking all the suspension parts and the links were the only thing that had any play at all. I should have changed them then but it was over the holidays and no dealer close by. Any one, do I need to take any tension off the sway bars after the car is jacked up or will the sway bars just slip out (I couldn't get that lucky).

iametarq · #6 (**permalink**) 02-13-07, 10:29 PM

If you really just have to replace the sway bar end links then you just raise the vehicle, no need to take any tension off the sway bars other than lifting the vehicle...at least that's how I did mine.

boxhalr188 · #7 (**permalink**) 02-13-07, 11:07 PM

OK thanks a lot for the info. I hope that is all I have to do .

Zorb750 · #8 (**permalink**) 02-17-07, 03:50 PM

The tension IS off the sway bar if the wheels are both at the same elevation.

Quote:

Originally Posted by iametarq

If you really just have to replace the sway bar end links then you just raise the vehicle, no need to take any tension off the sway bars other than lifting the vehicle...at least that's how I did mine.