Frame bolts clunking? Subframe Repaired, Now what?

[94SilverSSEi]

Is it possible that the weld nuts could have broken loose or somehow be moving around inside the mounts on the body. I have been battling a clunking noise that has been getting progressively worse since buying our 1997 SE last year.

It has had:
Front Subframe bushings
Ball joints
Two sets of struts
Tires
Brakes
(I believe wheel bearings and tierods by previous owner)
Steering Rack
Control Arm Bushings
Sway bar links
Front trans mount
Trans dogbone mount
New plate welded in subframe

I can see the two center bolts and washers on the subframe have been replaced which makes me a little suspicious.

This clunking is getting worse so I'm wondering if somehow maybe the weldnuts broke loose or possibly the body mounts are rotting from the inside out? But everything seems to be clean and tight from what I can find underneath the car.

[harofreak00]

You didn't mention sway bar bushings or endlinks....could those be it?

[94SilverSSEi]

Endlinks have been replaced. Not sure on the bar bushings but this is a very pronounced clunking/popping. Loud enough to scare passengers that don't know about it.

Whatever it is has gotten progressively worse over the past year.

Is there supposed to be any movement in those bushings/bolts? I was prying on them with the prybar and they move very slightly but I assumed that was normal because they are rubber bushings in the subframe.

[94SilverSSEi]

Finally found the noise.......

http://www.pontiacbonnevilleclub.com/fo ... 29762.html

Too bad I hadn't seen this post before or had been told by the owner what the problem ACTUALLY was, would have saved me a lot of wasted time and money on other parts.

Live and learn I guess. Now I've got to find a set of subframe bushings. It looks like the front ones are the ones that are bad and the middle ones look to be newish.

Anyone know if there is enough room to get new bushings in there without completely removing the subframe?

I'm thinking of just replacing the front ones and see if that cures that noise as the back ones LOOK ok. But can't be certain.
Any thoughts?



Edit: Also I was told by GM that each one the 3 pairs had different washers/bushings. They look all the same to me.
And this is the only bushing kit I can find available for this car.

http://www.dormanproducts.com/itemdetai ... me=924-043

[MattStrike]

OE has three pairs of bushings; the difference is in the rubber composition and reinforcement. You should be able to get them out by dropping one corner at a time. Depending how bad the rot is you may need to weld some new metal on the subframe. Replacing them with all of the same bushing shouldn't hurt anything.

How much does that dorman part cost? Energy suspension 3.4148 looks to be a very close to a direct fit, comes with enough parts to do 2 vehicles. I'll post the details on that as soon as I get them.

[94SilverSSEi]

Dorman "kit" bushings and washers with bolts are $45ish each. I'm hoping I can get away with only doing the front 2.

[Hj2392]

I just started a topic on this exact issue. Mine are all rotted and worn. I'd been having a bad clunk and shimmy and these are the only visible issue to me. If those Dorman kits for all 3 locations I'll be ordering 6 as all of mine are bad. I just really do not like that price. If the ones you are thinking are cheaper I would give them a shot.

[94SilverSSEi]

I ordered mine on amazon. 2 sets. $84 shipped to my door.

[Hj2392]

I was going to order them today because I have to get these done next weekend. Will the Dorman 924-043 bushing kit work on all 3 mount locations on both sides? I'm really hoping so because the separate parts on gmpartshouse is over 400$ which is way out of my budget.

[Hj2392]

I found these which also might work and I can have them by tomorrow for a lot less then the one I listed on the last post. 924-004 Dorman part#

[94SilverSSEi]

924-004 to my knowledge were from the older body style not sure if they would work or not. I noticed them too while shopping but didn't want to take the chance

[Hj2392]

According to the reviews they got a 98 lesabre which is nearly identical underneath iirc and the review said that only thing that won't work is bolt which they put the threads are different. I tried ordering them and said that even with one day shipping which was 60$ it wouldn't be here until Monday which sucks. I might've been able to get a lift for the weekend but not through the week. Anyway let me know how we'll those go in there and if they fit perfect I guess I'll fork the extra 20 a piece and get them if they are exact fit.

Off topic but I see your from racine which is awesome! I haven't met one single pontiac enthusiast here yet. Seen a few gxp and ssei drivers but they definetly weren't INTO there cars.

[94SilverSSEi]

According to the reviews they got a 98 lesabre which is nearly identical underneath iirc and the review said that only thing that won't work is bolt which they put the threads are different. I tried ordering them and said that even with one day shipping which was 60$ it wouldn't be here until Monday which sucks. I might've been able to get a lift for the weekend but not through the week. Anyway let me know how we'll those go in there and if they fit perfect I guess I'll fork the extra 20 a piece and get them if they are exact fit.

Off topic but I see your from racine which is awesome! I haven't met one single pontiac enthusiast here yet. Seen a few gxp and ssei drivers but they definetly weren't INTO there cars.

You've got to be kidding me!! Someone else from this tiny town. We should have a mini-meet sometime

My bushings won't be here till Saturday so hope to get them in this weekend but we'll see how that goes.

[Hj2392]

That's what I said. Haha I've got plenty of work to do on both of mine but who doesn't. Haha

I'll be getting the oreilley Dorman parts and I'll be heading to my fiancées dads garage. He's gonna let me use a lift and everything I need. I'll let you know how mine goes. Should have it done today.

[94SilverSSEi]

Let me know how it goes. I'm hoping I'll be able to drop the front enough I don't have to pull the rear 4 off to change the fronts. Oh yes, our 97 has gotten a new nickname, the white nightmare. haha I know all about putting the work into them.

[Hj2392]

lol they're quite a lot of work. But most of what I've replaced on mine have stayed good fixes and not a repeat offender. My Dorman oarts went right in no issues. I replaced 4 instead of 6. The 2 front and 2 middle positions. The farthest back were actually the good ones. The front took a little prybar action to get the frame low enough to get the old out and new in. Otherwise was a very quick and easy job. About 15 mins per position. We removed the bolts for the middles then dropped the bolts for the very rear. Used a jack to hold subframe in place. Grounded out the remaing bushing that didn't want to come free from the subframe. Put new in tightened old ones back up back were done then did front dropped bolts and used jack to hold subframe. Let jack down a bit and used a orybar to move the subframe low enough to get the old out and new in. Tightened them back up and done. I also replaced the dogbone trans mount which was causing the clunking also. Took it on the interstate and no more clunk barely any shimmy and much more smooth stable feel in the front end. Easy work good results and got some cool points with the father in law. Perfect day of repairs. Hope yours goes as easy as mine did. I didn't even need any blaster or spray of any kind. Bolts came right out and most of te bushings came right out as well.

If you have any resources to get a small meet I would deffinetly be interested to chat with more bonneville and pontiac enthusiasts. I love these cars and love the environment that car meets and show carry.

[94SilverSSEi]

You know there is that cars & coffee at Roma Lodge? I believe its the 2nd saturday every month. Don't quote me on that though.

[Hj2392]

I did not know that Roma had one. I know Georgie porgies has a small one I think every Saturday but that's milwaukee and I thought there's a McDonald's somewhere that does one too. Wonder if there's been a thread started for SE WI members.

[94SilverSSEi]

Yes Georgie peorgies is only in oak creek off highway 38. That was a huge one last time I was there. McDonald's on Washington ave by case high has one every Thursday.

[Hj2392]

Yea I drove passed the Georgie porgies meet every time I work Saturdays but have not went personally. They always look like they have a good turn out. That's the McDonald's I thought it was too. I am thinking about trying to go to a few but had a hard summer of work and not enough time on the cars. i might try to start a thread for SE wi but idk how that would turn out. Doesn't seem like many people take pride in there cars here.