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I just bought myself a 2003 Lesabre, which I love, but has some problems. The suspension feels really worn out, which I plan on replacing the basics, but there is a noticeable problem that I've never encountered, hopefully you guys have.

Occasionally when going over bumps, mostly while breaking, there is a crunch noise and a noticeable grinding feel in the pedal while going over any kind of bump. It is not all the time, but seems to be getting worse. It's not the pads rotors, as it's intermittent. Rotors are warped, but plenty thick as are pads. I'm leaning toward ball joints/tie rods, as the car shudders on turns and while going straight, but I know very little about suspensions.

To sum it up, crunch/grind while breaking AND while hitting uneven rode.

Thanks if anyone has some ideas.

You're on the right track with that list. I'd add struts, strut mounts and bearings to the list, as well as the stabilizer bar's end links. The shuddering could very well be unrelated to the suspension issue.

I had an intermittent banging sound from the front suspension, turn out to be a sway bar end link rusted and broken in 2
good luck

BearNinja wrote:I just bought myself a 2003 Lesabre, which I love, but has some problems. The suspension feels really worn out, which I plan on replacing the basics, but there is a noticeable problem that I've never encountered, hopefully you guys have.
Occasionally when going over bumps, mostly while breaking, there is a crunch noise and a noticeable grinding feel in the pedal while going over any kind of bump. It is not all the time, but seems to be getting worse. It's not the pads rotors, as it's intermittent. Rotors are warped, but plenty thick as are pads. I'm leaning toward ball joints/tie rods, as the car shudders on turns and while going straight, but I know very little about suspensions.

I'd vote for checking the sway bar ends. That sounds like the crunch and twanging I got when mine had rusted through on my 98.

You may have two problems. If the grinding is even pitched it might be the antilock brake system. You may have a wheel bearing with looseness allowing a waddling feel on turns because the extra toe adjustment is out-of-kilter. It might also explain the ABS kicking in. Does the dash indicate the ABS is activated? OR it might just be worn pads and loose wheel bearing...