98 Plymouth Breeze Front End Noise

I have a 98 Breeze, 2.0L Auto. that has numerous noises coming from the
front suspension. The car has 57K miles. I have looked under the front,
there is nothing visibly damaged.
Lots of creaks, squeeks and moans and groans. Liberal doses of WD 40 on the
spring
seats has had no lasting effect.
I know that the plastic wheel covers are noisy, but I'm looking for info on
suspension and or steering rack noise.
I have done a search of the NHTSA web site, there are TSB's listed about
noisy front ends, but no details.
Anybody out there that can point me in the right direction to clear this up?

Ralph Shapiro
Rohnert Park, CA 94928

 

Could be the lower ball joint(s). I had the same symptoms -
unidentified squeaking and groaning. Became obvious what it is later,
when it wore out enough to start turning into one direction when
braking, and into the other - when accelerating. (On a 98 Stratus).

 

I've noticed that there is a chrysler tech out there. any idea on this?

 

Ralph, without hearing the noise or driving it would be hard to say what it
is on line, there are a few TSB's for noises for that vehicle
02-05-98 intermittent poping noise/ possibly bad outer tie rod end/very easy
to check
19-02-99 clunking noise or rattle in steering wheel/special bolt and nut for
the steering coupler

When you say looked under the front, was that vehicle off the ground? If
not, I would have the vehicle raised and have the suspension checked for
worn parts by a qualified technician

Glenn Beasley
Chrysler Tech

 

I just wanted to clarify that the noises in the front end sound like rubber
bushing type noise.
Nothing looks or tests worn, including lower ball joints.
WD 40 seems to change the volume and amount of noise when sprayed on all
rubber bushings in the front end. This includes upper and lower control arm
bushings and sway bar bushings.

 

Could be the struts (where the rod moves in and out of the cylinder).
Try greasing the rod - use real grease, like lithium. WD-40 has no
lasting power whatsoever.

Bill Putney
(To reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my
adddress with the letter 'x')