I had a similar situation with my '97 Eldorado. I tried and tried to find the source of the noise myself. Finally took it to an excellent shop here specializing in Cadillacs. They replaced the stabilizer links front and rear, and the noise disappeared. I also noticed a much improved ride. They are in the neighborhood of $150 I believe. The shop mechanic told me this is a common repair. An alignment after installation is NOT required. Hope this helps ...
95 STS Stabilizer Bushings-Noise?
Here is my situation. When driving in my STS, I notice some front end "noise" whenever I go over small bumps etc. It sounds like the front end is knocking or something is hitting something else. I took off my front tires and looked and wiggled but nothing jumps out. I read where it might be the stabilizer link bushings. Anyway to check? What does it take to replace? I love my STS but sometimes the money for upkeep gets pretty expensive. Any help?
1 - 17 of 17 Posts
The front stabilizer links are about $60 each. They are pretty easy to do yourself. Just make sure you lift the whole front end off the ground before you take each side off. With only one side lifted up, the bar is under load and you will have a really hard time getting the bolt holes to line up after you take the old ones out. Tools needed are vise grip pliars (to hold the other end of the stud near the balljoint and keep it fron turning with the nut), any good ratchet and a deep socket that fits the nut.
To check them you have to make sure the wheels are level with eachother and then do the wiggle tests.
To check them you have to make sure the wheels are level with eachother and then do the wiggle tests.
Thanks Krash & Texas. I am a "do-it-yourself-er" due to the fact of limited funds but I really enjoy the ride and performance of a Cadillac. I find that if I do it myself, I know it is done correct. No short cuts. I do however, have to sometimes take my STS to the professionals, because that is what they are!
anyone have the part number for the end links? are they available at gmpartsdirect?
Stablizer end links p/n for 95 STS is 25650678 $44.84 ea. at GM Parts Direct.
Hi,i just replaced my strut links and my struts and bearing plates,and i still have my clunking noise,be careful with what you replace.I still think i have a bad steering rack,I have some play in my steering rack,so that has to be my problem,so check everything first before replacing parts.
Shop around... that was about the price that I found at local stores, too... until I contacted the local Federated parts store, and they had them for $30...stingray72 said:Stablizer end links p/n for 95 STS is 25650678 $44.84 ea. at GM Parts Direct.
Has anybody ever used the universal end links from Energy Suspensions or know if they will work? When the end links on my Navigator broke I replaced them with those and they were built much stronger than factory for less than half the cost. My sons 94 STS is making the front end rattling noise and suspecting the end links.
The ES end links won't work, they are only for straight end links. These cars have end links that are "Z" shaped.
The ES main bushings should work, and I'm planning on putting them in, I just need to grab measurements of the bar and mount...
The ES main bushings should work, and I'm planning on putting them in, I just need to grab measurements of the bar and mount...
Same thing here. I replaced the strut mounts with OEM mounts, and links with OEM links. My shocks are original with 68k on them. The car rides fine but the noise that it makes KILLS me! It only happens when it's 80 degrees or less outside. If I wiggle the steering wheel back and forth, I hear it and I feel it in the steering wheel.eldorado billy said:Hi,i just replaced my strut links and my struts and bearing plates,and i still have my clunking noise,be careful with what you replace.I still think i have a bad steering rack,I have some play in my steering rack,so that has to be my problem,so check everything first before replacing parts.
The noise seems to happen when the pitch of the road changes. I can be on a perfectly smooth road and still hear it if the road changes angle a bit.
Thanks Tremor12. I guess it to the dealer I go. I haven't taken a look at them yet, but I understand it's a very straight forward job.tremor12 said:The ES end links won't work, they are only for straight end links. These cars have end links that are "Z" shaped.
The ES main bushings should work, and I'm planning on putting them in, I just need to grab measurements of the bar and mount...
If they are the sway bar links they look like this (they are my old ones):
http://gallery.iametarq.com/photos/...sls/suspension/sway bar bushings/IMG_2333.jpg
I had mine replaced by a local shop for $110 total.
My symptoms were a rattling noise when the car went over bumps in the road and rough surfaces.
now to get rid of my front end squeaks when the car bounces or when I push it down and let it bounce back up.
http://gallery.iametarq.com/photos/...sls/suspension/sway bar bushings/IMG_2333.jpg
I had mine replaced by a local shop for $110 total.
My symptoms were a rattling noise when the car went over bumps in the road and rough surfaces.
now to get rid of my front end squeaks when the car bounces or when I push it down and let it bounce back up.
hey nofear,sounds like you have the same problem as me,i can turn the wheel side to side,i have the clunking too,grab the tire on the ground,check it for side to side noise,grab it at 3 and 9 o'clock.You might have bad tie rod ends or a bad rack like me,lol.
I dunno if they are the right ones, but Orielyauto.com has the sway bar end links for $9.99 each. I would be VERY pissed off if they are the right ones and I highly doubt that they are, but it is worth a shot.
Well, I grabbed the dimensions of the bar yesterday. These things are SMALL for such a big/heavy car... 23mm in the front. I've seen small imports with heavier bars...
Nobody in town stocks Energy Suspension bushings in 22 or 23mm, so I'll have to order them and put them in next week.
Nobody in town stocks Energy Suspension bushings in 22 or 23mm, so I'll have to order them and put them in next week.
I found this TSB:
RATTLE/LOOSE LUMBER NOISE FROM FRONT OF VEHICLE
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
Reference Number(s): 53-33-04; 53-33-04A
RATTLE/LOOSE LUMBER NOISE FROM FRONT OF VEHICLE WHEN
DRIVING OVER BUMPS (DIAGNOSE/REPAIR PROCEDURE)
Model(s): 1994-96 Cadillac Concours, DeVille, Eldorado, Seville
Section: 3 - Steering/Suspension
Bulletin No.: 53-33-04A
Date: April, 1996
VEHICLES AFFECTED
1994-96 Cadillac Concours, DeVille, Eldorado, Seville with 4.9L, 4.6L engine (VINs B, Y, 9 - RPOs L26,
LD8, L37).
CONDITION
Some owners may comment on a clunk, rattle, or loose lumber noise from the front of the vehicle when driving
over small bumps at low speeds.
CAUSE
This condition may be due to a number of different sources. These include, but are not limited to:
.. Loose strut mounting bolts.
.. Loose stabilizer bar link pivots.
.. Coil spring clash (1995 DeVille only).
.. Noisy front upper strut mounts.
.. Noisy engine mount.
The use of Kent-Moore tool J 39570, ChassisEAR, is recommended when attempting to identify the source of
the rattle. It is IMPORTANT to note:
NOTE: This bulletin supersedes Corporate Bulletin number 53-33-04, (Section 3 -
Steering/Suspension).
1996 Cadillac Seville STS
RATTLE/LOOSE LUMBER NOISE FROM FRONT OF VEHICLE
Wednesday, November 23, 2005 7:59:47 PM Page 1 © 2004 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.
.. Properly functioning cars WILL transfer noise to the ChassisEAR.
.. If not familiar with noise from a known good car, comparison MUST be made between a "good" car and
the car to be evaluated.
CORRECTION
The following corrections only address the sources listed above. Other sources are possible and may require
attention not outlined here.
1. Check the strut mounting bolt fasteners for proper torque:
.. Upper (to body): 24 N.m (18 ft-lb).
.. Lower (to knuckle): 229 N.m (168 ft-lb).
.. Damper shaft nut: 75 N.m (55 ft-lb).
2. Check torque of stabilizer bar link attachment points:
.. 1994: 65 N.m (48 ft-lb).
.. 1995-96: 55 N.m (40 ft-lb).
3. If the torque is correct in Step 1, disconnect stabilizer bar links and determine if noise is gone. If it is,
replace the stabilizer bar links.
.. 1994 link: P/N 3523593.
.. 1995-96 link: P/N 3530406.
4. Some 1995 DeVilles may exhibit a condition known as "spring clash". This is a metallic clunk noise from
the front of the vehicle. This spring noise is due to low spring load allowing the first inner spring coil to
"clash" against the second coil during compression. To correct this condition, install coil spring, P/N
22132857 (one or both). This is a redesigned spring and meets trim height specification. THIS SPRING
IS FOR VEHICLES BUILT UP TO AND INCLUDING VIN SU266448. VEHICLES BUILT AFTER
THIS VIN ALREADY HAVE THE REDESIGNED SPRING INSTALLED.
5. A loose lumber noise may be heard by driving at speeds typically between 10 - 45 MPH over both
smaller sharp bumps and larger bumps (more prevalent on small sharp bumps). Replace the front upper
strut mounts with P/N 22174949.
.. Noise will be heard if ChassisEAR is attached to the strut. You will need to familiarize yourself to
NOTE: Do not over-torque damper shaft nut as it could damage the upper strut
mount.
NOTE: Do not allow the ball stud to rotate during tightening of the nuts or the link
may be damaged.
NOTE: To distinguish between Steps 4 and 5, use the ChassisEAR J 39570 and
attach clips to the front engine mount and upper strut mount shock tower
area. Please note:
1996 Cadillac Seville STS
RATTLE/LOOSE LUMBER NOISE FROM FRONT OF VEHICLE
Wednesday, November 23, 2005 7:59:48 PM Page 2 © 2004 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.
a non-complaint car. Normal operating sounds may lead you to service a good car.
.. More noise will be heard if ChassisEAR is attached to the strut rod top nut than to one of the three
strut mount fasteners in the strut tower. You will hear strut operating noises in the nut, while the
noise heard in the strut mount fasteners will be more quiet since the job of the strut mount is to
dampen. Any noise heard from the strut rod is likely normal; strut replacement will NOT affect this
noise. To verify, compare to a known good car.
.. Assure that ChassisEAR clips are securely affixed. Any movement of the clips to the fastening
point may result in false noise being generated.
.. Do not test drive the vehicle with the hood open to the secondary latch as the hood movement can
make false noise. Latch the hood fully.
6. If the lumber noise is produced at speeds only below 20 MPH while driving over a larger bump, then it
may be engine mount related. This noise sounds as if it is coming from the middle to under dash area,
while Step 4 sounds as if it is coming from above the dash. On vehicles equipped with a 4.6L engine,
replace the left engine mount and the right transaxle mount. On vehicles equipped with a 4.9L engine,
replace the left engine mount only.
.. 4.6L left engine mount: P/N 22171688.
.. 4.6L right transaxle mount: P/N 22171682.
.. 4.9L left engine mount: P/N 22171683.
PARTS INFORMATION
Parts are currently available from GMSPO.
WARRANTY INFORMATION
For vehicles repaired under warranty, use:
WARRANTY INFORMATION
Labor
Operation
Description Labor Time
E3857 Step 1 0.4 Hr.
E2147 Step 2 Use published labor operation
time.
E3020 Step 3 (Right Spring Only) Use published labor operation
time.
E3021 Step 3 (Left Spring Only) Use published labor operation
time.
E3027 Step 3 (Both Springs) Use published labor operation
time.
E3927 Step 4 (Mount Assembly, Both) Use published labor operation
time.
J1501 Step 5 (Left Engine Mount, Only) Use published labor operation
time.
1996 Cadillac Seville STS
RATTLE/LOOSE LUMBER NOISE FROM FRONT OF VEHICLE
Wednesday, November 23, 2005 7:59:48 PM Page 3 © 2004 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.
K6720 Step 5 (Left Transaxle Mount,
4.6L)
Use published labor operation
time.
J1501 Step 5 (Left Engine Mount, 4.9L) 1.2 Hrs.
1996 Cadillac Seville STS
RATTLE/LOOSE LUMBER NOISE FROM FRONT OF VEHICLE
RATTLE/LOOSE LUMBER NOISE FROM FRONT OF VEHICLE
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
Reference Number(s): 53-33-04; 53-33-04A
RATTLE/LOOSE LUMBER NOISE FROM FRONT OF VEHICLE WHEN
DRIVING OVER BUMPS (DIAGNOSE/REPAIR PROCEDURE)
Model(s): 1994-96 Cadillac Concours, DeVille, Eldorado, Seville
Section: 3 - Steering/Suspension
Bulletin No.: 53-33-04A
Date: April, 1996
VEHICLES AFFECTED
1994-96 Cadillac Concours, DeVille, Eldorado, Seville with 4.9L, 4.6L engine (VINs B, Y, 9 - RPOs L26,
LD8, L37).
CONDITION
Some owners may comment on a clunk, rattle, or loose lumber noise from the front of the vehicle when driving
over small bumps at low speeds.
CAUSE
This condition may be due to a number of different sources. These include, but are not limited to:
.. Loose strut mounting bolts.
.. Loose stabilizer bar link pivots.
.. Coil spring clash (1995 DeVille only).
.. Noisy front upper strut mounts.
.. Noisy engine mount.
The use of Kent-Moore tool J 39570, ChassisEAR, is recommended when attempting to identify the source of
the rattle. It is IMPORTANT to note:
NOTE: This bulletin supersedes Corporate Bulletin number 53-33-04, (Section 3 -
Steering/Suspension).
1996 Cadillac Seville STS
RATTLE/LOOSE LUMBER NOISE FROM FRONT OF VEHICLE
Wednesday, November 23, 2005 7:59:47 PM Page 1 © 2004 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.
.. Properly functioning cars WILL transfer noise to the ChassisEAR.
.. If not familiar with noise from a known good car, comparison MUST be made between a "good" car and
the car to be evaluated.
CORRECTION
The following corrections only address the sources listed above. Other sources are possible and may require
attention not outlined here.
1. Check the strut mounting bolt fasteners for proper torque:
.. Upper (to body): 24 N.m (18 ft-lb).
.. Lower (to knuckle): 229 N.m (168 ft-lb).
.. Damper shaft nut: 75 N.m (55 ft-lb).
2. Check torque of stabilizer bar link attachment points:
.. 1994: 65 N.m (48 ft-lb).
.. 1995-96: 55 N.m (40 ft-lb).
3. If the torque is correct in Step 1, disconnect stabilizer bar links and determine if noise is gone. If it is,
replace the stabilizer bar links.
.. 1994 link: P/N 3523593.
.. 1995-96 link: P/N 3530406.
4. Some 1995 DeVilles may exhibit a condition known as "spring clash". This is a metallic clunk noise from
the front of the vehicle. This spring noise is due to low spring load allowing the first inner spring coil to
"clash" against the second coil during compression. To correct this condition, install coil spring, P/N
22132857 (one or both). This is a redesigned spring and meets trim height specification. THIS SPRING
IS FOR VEHICLES BUILT UP TO AND INCLUDING VIN SU266448. VEHICLES BUILT AFTER
THIS VIN ALREADY HAVE THE REDESIGNED SPRING INSTALLED.
5. A loose lumber noise may be heard by driving at speeds typically between 10 - 45 MPH over both
smaller sharp bumps and larger bumps (more prevalent on small sharp bumps). Replace the front upper
strut mounts with P/N 22174949.
.. Noise will be heard if ChassisEAR is attached to the strut. You will need to familiarize yourself to
NOTE: Do not over-torque damper shaft nut as it could damage the upper strut
mount.
NOTE: Do not allow the ball stud to rotate during tightening of the nuts or the link
may be damaged.
NOTE: To distinguish between Steps 4 and 5, use the ChassisEAR J 39570 and
attach clips to the front engine mount and upper strut mount shock tower
area. Please note:
1996 Cadillac Seville STS
RATTLE/LOOSE LUMBER NOISE FROM FRONT OF VEHICLE
Wednesday, November 23, 2005 7:59:48 PM Page 2 © 2004 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.
a non-complaint car. Normal operating sounds may lead you to service a good car.
.. More noise will be heard if ChassisEAR is attached to the strut rod top nut than to one of the three
strut mount fasteners in the strut tower. You will hear strut operating noises in the nut, while the
noise heard in the strut mount fasteners will be more quiet since the job of the strut mount is to
dampen. Any noise heard from the strut rod is likely normal; strut replacement will NOT affect this
noise. To verify, compare to a known good car.
.. Assure that ChassisEAR clips are securely affixed. Any movement of the clips to the fastening
point may result in false noise being generated.
.. Do not test drive the vehicle with the hood open to the secondary latch as the hood movement can
make false noise. Latch the hood fully.
6. If the lumber noise is produced at speeds only below 20 MPH while driving over a larger bump, then it
may be engine mount related. This noise sounds as if it is coming from the middle to under dash area,
while Step 4 sounds as if it is coming from above the dash. On vehicles equipped with a 4.6L engine,
replace the left engine mount and the right transaxle mount. On vehicles equipped with a 4.9L engine,
replace the left engine mount only.
.. 4.6L left engine mount: P/N 22171688.
.. 4.6L right transaxle mount: P/N 22171682.
.. 4.9L left engine mount: P/N 22171683.
PARTS INFORMATION
Parts are currently available from GMSPO.
WARRANTY INFORMATION
For vehicles repaired under warranty, use:
WARRANTY INFORMATION
Labor
Operation
Description Labor Time
E3857 Step 1 0.4 Hr.
E2147 Step 2 Use published labor operation
time.
E3020 Step 3 (Right Spring Only) Use published labor operation
time.
E3021 Step 3 (Left Spring Only) Use published labor operation
time.
E3027 Step 3 (Both Springs) Use published labor operation
time.
E3927 Step 4 (Mount Assembly, Both) Use published labor operation
time.
J1501 Step 5 (Left Engine Mount, Only) Use published labor operation
time.
1996 Cadillac Seville STS
RATTLE/LOOSE LUMBER NOISE FROM FRONT OF VEHICLE
Wednesday, November 23, 2005 7:59:48 PM Page 3 © 2004 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.
K6720 Step 5 (Left Transaxle Mount,
4.6L)
Use published labor operation
time.
J1501 Step 5 (Left Engine Mount, 4.9L) 1.2 Hrs.
1996 Cadillac Seville STS
RATTLE/LOOSE LUMBER NOISE FROM FRONT OF VEHICLE
1 - 17 of 17 Posts
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