Questions and Answers
MR2 Struts
Q. I just installed four new strut inserts (Tokico blues) on my 1985 Toyota MR2 today, and now it makes a loud clunk on any little bump in the road. The noise is coming from the front pass side. Turning seems to have no effect on the problem- when I swerve and it doesn't make any noise, and the steering feels tight and precise.
It just seems to be from little bumps in the road. Any ideas or insight would be greatly appreciated.
(I asked yesterday about a clunk in my suspension and forgot to mention that the control arm on that corner is slightly bent. (About a 10-15 degree bend in the middle of it from an accident a while ago). Would the improper alignment of the control arm to the hub/knuckle put stress on the strut causing noise?)
Thank you,
JoshA. One possibility is that the struts need time to break in. It is not unusual for a strut to make noise in the first 100 - 150 miles of operation. If you can confirm that the springs are seated correctly and that the strut and mounting nuts are tight, then I don't think you have a problem. If the noise continues after 100 miles or so, then I would become concerned and look at the installation again. There is also the possibility you have a defective strut.
I doubt that the bent control arm would cause a noise, but it is possible. In any case a bent control arm would adversely affect handling and tire wear and should be replaced. When you replaced the struts, that would have been a good time to replace the control arm.
Additional Information provided courtesy of ALLDATA
