Suspension Rattling

[gabsub018]

Hey guys, this problem has slowly gotten worse and i'm getting concerned. Whenever i hit a small bump or hole, my strut bounces and rattles. Its soooooooo annoying! And now its even worse; theres a squeak coming from that area as well, and the rattling seemed to have made its way to the right strut. I'm expecting something crazy to happen (my strut shoots through my fender?) lol....and i'm wondering if something has become loose or if my strut is dead or somethin like that. I haven't even looked underneath yet, but just asking for ideas for when i do. Because if everything looks normal, i won't know how to diagnose the problem. And i really don't wanna take it to a shop where they might try'n sell me crap that i don't need.
Thanks :grin:

[AussieDan]

Most likely your tophats are worn out.

Easiest way to diagnose that would be to open the hood, raise the car up and try to move the wheel up and down. If the nut in the center of the tophat moves vertically you need new ones because the bearings are shot.

While you have the car in the air check out the condition of the ball joints, tie rods, steering rack boots & axle boots. If any of the boots are damaged they need replacing.

If you grab the wheel at 3 and 9 o'clock and you can move it in and out, your inner and/or outer tie rods are shot. If you grab the bottom of the wheel and it moves in and out, you may need new ball joints.

[gabsub018]

sounds kinda scary. I hope it isin't alot of those. But i'll try all those things today...thanks.