Questions and Answers

Mitsubishi Galant Squeaking, Rattling Q. I have a 1997 Mitsubishi Galant. 137,000 miles, 2.4 liter engine and rack and pinion steering. I had my inner tie rod ends replaced and my lower ball joints and control arms replaced as a result of a recall. When I had the ball joints replaced they were squeaking terribly and when going around a left curve there was a lot of rattling under the car like my wheels or something was shaking.

The problem has returned and when I had the tie rod ends checked they said they are still fine. Do you have any idea what the squeak and shaking is? The rattling happens all the time, the squeaking only happens when its raining. PLEASE HELP!

A. There was a Technical Service Bulletin issued to address this problem. Here it is.

NO.: TSB-98-33A-002
DATE: December, 1998
MODEL: See Below

SUBJECT:
Front Coil Spring "Creaking, Popping, Or Squeaking"

PURPOSE:
This bulletin contains repair procedures to correct creaking, popping, or squeaking noises from the front suspension on certain affected vehicles.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
On some affected vehicles, customers may complain of a front suspension creaking, popping, or squeaking noise when driving over bumps or while turning. The noise may originate from the upper front coil spring area. To identify the condition is occurring, inspect the contact area of the top two coils of each spring. Look for marks of rubbing, grazing, or paint peeling on these spring coils. To correct the condition, install coil spring insulators as described in the Repair Procedure.

AFFECTED VEHICLES:
1995-99 Eclipse
1996-99 Eclipse Spyder
1994-98 Galant

REPAIR PROCEDURE:
Be sure to identify the conditions present when the customer recognizes the abnormal sound (speed, while turning, over large bumps, etc.). Verify the abnormal sound before repairing so you can confirm that the noise was eliminated after repairs are completed.

If you determine that the abnormal sound is originating from the upper front coil spring area as described above, proceed with the following procedure to correct the condition:

1. Remove the LH and RH front strut assemblies using the proper Service Manual procedures.
2. Clean the top portion of the coil springs with an adequate degreaser and wipe dry.

3. Install the insulators onto the second coil down from the top of the spring. Refer to the illustration.

NOTE: The coil springs do not have to be disassembled from the strut assemblies to install the insulators into position.

4. Reinstall the LH and RH strut assemblies back into the vehicle using the proper Service Manual procedures.
5. Test drive the vehicle in the same manner as you did when you identified the abnormal noise to confirm the insulators corrected the condition.

PARTS INFORMATION:

Part Number:	Description:	Quantity:
MR272656	Coil Spring Insulator	1 per side

I think this will fix you up.