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Clunk in a '99 STS


MIke D

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When I go from a hard right hand turn to strait there is a clunk that comes from th left rear. Only the right to strait though. I jacked up the car and checked the wheel bearing and caliper. Both are good... The camber is out a bit on this tire so I checked the strut rod and it is tight, No play in the ball joint. (need to get it up on a lift to fix the camber though)...

Looking at where I "hear" the sound coming from is where the lower control arm meets the rear crossmember. The bushing is not dry or brittle but I cant get in there to see how it looks. Also where the rear crossmember attaches to the rest of the car, (by the rear jack point) looks like there is another body mount. Once again I cant see it because the mounting plate is in the way..

So here are the questions....

1. Has anyone had this problem before?

2. Has anyone had to change any of the bushings before?

3. Is there anything else I should be looking at?

Any help would be greatly appreciated... After I fix this I will be tackling the water in the trunk problem... :D

Mike D

Cop didn't see it, I didn't do it!

93 STS 225,000 Miles

99 STS 111,000 Miles

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I will post photos tomorrow of my rear upper control arm replacement. I also bought a new bolt (for $10.49 :o ) as I was afraid it was buggered up.

Imagine? $10.49 for a bolt?, HEY FUGGETABOUTIT, I'm driving a CADILLAC :lol:

Pre-1995 - DTC codes OBD1  >>

1996 and newer - DTC codes OBD2 >> https://www.obd-codes.com/trouble_codes/gm/obd_codes.htm

How to check for codes Caddyinfo How To Technical Archive >> http://www.caddyinfo.com/wordpress/cadillac-how-to-faq/

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Do you remember how much the control arm cost? Is it one of those if I do one side I should do the other? Same age same problem way of thinking?

Remember, The bigger the toy the bigger the cost is to play..

Cop didn't see it, I didn't do it!

93 STS 225,000 Miles

99 STS 111,000 Miles

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I got the control arm from a scrap yard off of a 99 as a matter of fact for $50. There is a photo of it here:

http://caddyinfo.ipbhost.com/index.php?sho...l=upper+control

Pre-1995 - DTC codes OBD1  >>

1996 and newer - DTC codes OBD2 >> https://www.obd-codes.com/trouble_codes/gm/obd_codes.htm

How to check for codes Caddyinfo How To Technical Archive >> http://www.caddyinfo.com/wordpress/cadillac-how-to-faq/

Cadillac History & Specifications Year by Year  http://www.motorera.com/cadillac/index.htm

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Thought mine looked different. It was more of an off set "A" then a "C" shape. I'm about to go to NH on a run tomorrow. When I get back on Monday I'll take a picture of it. The bushing part if deffinatly different. The part that the bolt goes through is MUCH wider than that. Thanks for the quick reply though... Mike D

Cop didn't see it, I didn't do it!

93 STS 225,000 Miles

99 STS 111,000 Miles

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Well I was told it was from a 99 but who knows, Ill take another look at the tag on it, maybe its a 98. Have a safe trip

Pre-1995 - DTC codes OBD1  >>

1996 and newer - DTC codes OBD2 >> https://www.obd-codes.com/trouble_codes/gm/obd_codes.htm

How to check for codes Caddyinfo How To Technical Archive >> http://www.caddyinfo.com/wordpress/cadillac-how-to-faq/

Cadillac History & Specifications Year by Year  http://www.motorera.com/cadillac/index.htm

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This reader is surprised and disappointed to read about possible bushing failure (rear or front) at 110K miles; my experience with the '98 to '04 Seville chassis is different.

Maybe the noise is not bushings? Or maybe there has been collision damage that was not correctly / completely repaired?

Jim

Drive your car.

Use your cell phone.

CHOOSE ONE !

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Its possible they had the upper control arm mismarked for the year, this is definatly my control arm however. I am REALLY hoping that I dont have a rear knuckle problem. You can not believe how bad my rear wheel assembly is now, I am sure to find something obvious.

There has been something wrong with my RR wheel suspension since I got it at 46K miles, its now serious

Pre-1995 - DTC codes OBD1  >>

1996 and newer - DTC codes OBD2 >> https://www.obd-codes.com/trouble_codes/gm/obd_codes.htm

How to check for codes Caddyinfo How To Technical Archive >> http://www.caddyinfo.com/wordpress/cadillac-how-to-faq/

Cadillac History & Specifications Year by Year  http://www.motorera.com/cadillac/index.htm

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This reader is surprised and disappointed to read about possible bushing failure (rear or front) at 110K miles; my experience with the '98 to '04 Seville chassis is different.

I'm not surprised or Disapointed at all.. Sorry if that is how is has been interpreted. This is the 5th cadillac in my familly. all went from a low of 111k miles to 225k miles (which both of those were mine.) I am used to repair bills, not just on these by my 69 corvette too.. Now that's the expensive car. :)

Cop didn't see it, I didn't do it!

93 STS 225,000 Miles

99 STS 111,000 Miles

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I am REALLY hoping that I dont have a rear knuckle problem.

What is this knuckle that i've heard people talk about? is it what the wheel bearing is attached to?

Cop didn't see it, I didn't do it!

93 STS 225,000 Miles

99 STS 111,000 Miles

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I am REALLY hoping that I dont have a rear knuckle problem.

What is this knuckle that i've heard people talk about? is it what the wheel bearing is attached to?

Yes, here is some background on it, Stefank did some analysis on it, see some of Stefan's photos in this thread

http://caddyinfo.ipbhost.com/index.php?sho...t=0&start=0

Pre-1995 - DTC codes OBD1  >>

1996 and newer - DTC codes OBD2 >> https://www.obd-codes.com/trouble_codes/gm/obd_codes.htm

How to check for codes Caddyinfo How To Technical Archive >> http://www.caddyinfo.com/wordpress/cadillac-how-to-faq/

Cadillac History & Specifications Year by Year  http://www.motorera.com/cadillac/index.htm

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Just got back from the 700 mile drive and the car ran great. Ave speed was 72 @ 25.6MPG... MUCH better than my 93... I'll take a look tomorrow more on that thread. I saw the pics but I will read more. Thanks again for all the help... time to shower and sleep. MD

Cop didn't see it, I didn't do it!

93 STS 225,000 Miles

99 STS 111,000 Miles

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See the results from my upper control arm surgery yesterday at this thread:

http://caddyinfo.ipbhost.com/index.php?showtopic=14756

Pre-1995 - DTC codes OBD1  >>

1996 and newer - DTC codes OBD2 >> https://www.obd-codes.com/trouble_codes/gm/obd_codes.htm

How to check for codes Caddyinfo How To Technical Archive >> http://www.caddyinfo.com/wordpress/cadillac-how-to-faq/

Cadillac History & Specifications Year by Year  http://www.motorera.com/cadillac/index.htm

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I think you're all making too much of this. If I had a clunk in my car I'd just pull over to the curb and throw the bum out. Sorry, I couldn't resist.

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Well I figured it out. Turns out that the rear crossmember has a Bushing on either end that bolts up right next to the "jack point" on the rear of the car. Turns out that the bolt was not tight and it was allowing this bushing to have LOTS of play between the crossmember and the body mount. Pulled them out, Cleaned and greased them up. Now the car is all quiet. I also found that one of the rear shocks has a hole in it so only one side of the car pumps up. Now this is causeing a camber issue. Adjusted that for now till I get the time and money to put new air shocks in it. I hope they are not $500 like my 93 was...Off for another 1000 mile run to NH and Back..

But thanks for all the help... MIke D

Cop didn't see it, I didn't do it!

93 STS 225,000 Miles

99 STS 111,000 Miles

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Thought mine looked different. It was more of an off set "A" then a "C" shape. I'm about to go to NH on a run tomorrow. When I get back on Monday I'll take a picture of it. The bushing part if deffinatly different. The part that the bolt goes through is MUCH wider than that. Thanks for the quick reply though... Mike D

Cool, I am glad you found out what it was, post a photo if you can.

With regard to the control arm, I was in the scrap yard on Saturday and the 98 and 99 DEVILLE rear upper control arm is identical to the 96 DEVILLE'S..

Its possible that the SEVILLE/ELDO control arm is different that the one I showed in the photo above.

Pre-1995 - DTC codes OBD1  >>

1996 and newer - DTC codes OBD2 >> https://www.obd-codes.com/trouble_codes/gm/obd_codes.htm

How to check for codes Caddyinfo How To Technical Archive >> http://www.caddyinfo.com/wordpress/cadillac-how-to-faq/

Cadillac History & Specifications Year by Year  http://www.motorera.com/cadillac/index.htm

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Well I figured it out. Turns out that the rear crossmember has a Bushing on either end that bolts up right next to the "jack point" on the rear of the car. Turns out that the bolt was not tight ....

I'm happy (thrilled) to hear it was NOT a worn out part. See post #8.

Jim

Drive your car.

Use your cell phone.

CHOOSE ONE !

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"Its possible that the SEVILLE/ELDO control arm is different that the one I showed in the photo above."

I can't get pictures now unless I get on my back in my parking lot... Then again I've been there a few time.... Turns out on a 99 sts there is no upper control arm on the rear's, only a lower. Checked my 93 manual and it shows the exact piece you showed... But on a 99 STS the top mount is the shock its self.. Wierd!

The problem I have with now is the blown air bag on one side. Now the car rides low (like it) but it throws the camber WAY off (don't like it). It also causes the air pump to run every minute or so. I tried to unplug it but then it says I'm speed limited to 90... SHEESH that's like right hand lane speed here in west jersey :) I'll get it done soon. Just have to get back to my dad's shop in MA to do it..

Cop didn't see it, I didn't do it!

93 STS 225,000 Miles

99 STS 111,000 Miles

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Well I figured it out. Turns out that the rear crossmember has a Bushing on either end that bolts up right next to the "jack point" on the rear of the car. Turns out that the bolt was not tight ....

I'm happy (thrilled) to hear it was NOT a worn out part. See post #8.

I'm glad too. I got the car cheep enought that it will take a few repairs to get it up to what I "should have" paid... It sure did give my dad and I a scare when the whole crossmember dropped back into place. Thought it was going to come off the lift. I also added a tower brace for the front struts and it DID make a world of differance in handling.. Corners are much smoother and you can take it faster and still hold that grip... I just need to get some rubber back on those tires. :)

Cop didn't see it, I didn't do it!

93 STS 225,000 Miles

99 STS 111,000 Miles

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