Multiple suspension issues - clunks, creaks and pops

[$ub$onic]

I know I smelled oil for a day when I changed it myself but everywhere? Ya that's not good

 

[bob67]

Had some time to calm down now . Oil should burn off . And in all it took only another 40 mins . I just didn't like being asked if I wanted to make another appt to get it fixed ... there must be another Chevy dealer around but this one was convenient . The next closest is in a bad area where all the waiting room TVs are on Spanish stations .

Wonder what I can get for a trade on a Kia Rio ? That 10/100 warantee is looking good about now .

 

[Chevrolet Customer Care]

How are things going with your Sonic, schimmers?

Michelle, Chevrolet Customer Service assisting Vanessa

 

[firstorbit84]

My front left suspension is creaking at low speeds but after reading some of this thread I'm not sure I want to even take it in

 

[schimmers]

Well, my car is still in the shop. On top on everything they replaced already, they just put in a new subframe and still it didn't fix it. Talked to the service manager today and it sounds like it is going to be awhile before a field rep can come out and look. Everything GM has told them to look at hasn't solved the mystery clunk.

Sounds promising....

 

[schimmers]

Firstorbit---is it a series of small clunks when creeping? The endlinks are known to replaced. (Been there, done that!)

 

[firstorbit84]

Sounds more like an old mattress. No chunks, just creaks really

 

[Mike-NH]

And the answer is, front sway bar link. Getting replaced today.

And it's back again. Back to the dealer again tomorrow. This is annoying, and concerning what with 23k of the 36k bumper-to-bumper now used up.

 

[ahtoxa]

Well, my car is still in the shop. On top on everything they replaced already, they just put in a new subframe and still it didn't fix it. Talked to the service manager today and it sounds like it is going to be awhile before a field rep can come out and look. Everything GM has told them to look at hasn't solved the mystery clunk.

Sounds promising....

Sucks to hear that. Any updates?

Luckily, the subframe replacement worked for me, and I can state with good certainty that they tried subframe replacement on yours after the ordeal with mine. According to the GM reps and field engineers that came out, I was the first with this resolution and the second known vehicle with the issue. The other one just arrived into a dealership shop a few days prior with very similar symptoms.

 

[TheFallenAngel12]

I got into my brothers sonic yesterday and as we were going down the road im sitting in the passanger seat and all i hear is creaking and clunking galore. Mainly when he went over bumps or would hit a pothole to which he is very good at hitting almost every single one lol. So i looked at him and asked him, "How long has it been making those noises"? He replys back to me "Oh about a couple weeks now". **Palm to Face** I looked at him and said, "and why havent you taken this in yet to get it looked at"? I continue and say "I can tell you exactly whats wrong with it. I bet its your damn stabalizer links going prematurely!"...

So he takes it in today to have it looked at... About an hour passes by after he left and i get a text message... "The Stabalizer Links Were Bad, So they Replaced them and took it for a test drive and the noise is gone now"...

Thanks all for the information about this issue. This made it alot less stressful to figure out. Plus, when i had my Dodge Dakota before i got rid of the money pitt, it had suspension problems and i knew what a bad link sounded like lol. I myself so far have been very lucky to not have any suspension problems *Knocks On Wood* lol.

 

[jayrq2o1]

Hmm, so that's what that loud ass pop was when I first full opted the wheel. Makes sense. I've heard it on both sides, but the clunking has only persisted on the driver's side. I'm gonna go try to get both replaced. I'm hoping its just the stabilizer bar links. Maybe this needs to be stickied, but it may just be a minority of Sonics.

 

[sonicR]

Get the aftermarket links... they appear to be a better make

 

[Chevrolet Customer Care]

jayrq2o1,

Hopefully the dealer will be able to diagnose where the clunking is coming from. Please let us know what the outcome is or if you have any questions or concerns.


Vanessa
GM Customer Service

 

[robinsonmac]

There is a new recall out for the suspension #12172. The part just got ordered to fix my 2012.

 

[MikeM]

i have the same Rattle from my front divers side. I guess i need to take it into the shop, i thought it was the exhaust but i got under there and its solid. SO oh well, Hope the fix it. good thing, im at 34,500+ miles now. lol

Also mine is a 6 speed Manual, and when it starts there is always a griding noise that comes from under the car once it starts, anyone have that issue also?

 

[pwven]

Hey all,

Purpose of this thread is to document specific progress on some ongoing issues to hopefully help those who may encounter this.

Problem 1

- Noise when going over multiple small bumps at speed of around 30 mph. This happens when hitting bumps with driver side only. Those in the southern states - noise is heard when you run over the lane marker "bumps" in the read. Noise is defined by metallic rattle similar to a loose exhaust but not diagnosed as such.

Solution - ongoing. Dealer took another Sonic for a ride with me (also a hatch like mine) and same noise was heard. I am currently in a loaner sedan and no similar noise is heard. Original issue appeared at about 1k miles.

Problem 2

- High pitched squeak coming from driver side front. Heard when going over small road bumps, dips and imperfections, where suspension undulations are minor.

Solution - dealer replaced front driver side strut assembly under warranty. Issue resolved - diagnosed as defective strut. Issue appeared at just under 2k miles. This occurred after Problem 1. Replacing the strut did not resolve the clunk or affect it in any way.


Problem 3

A very loud POP is heard while accelerating in low gear over uneven surfaces, such as railroad crossings. Sound is not always repeatable. Very loud and very metallic in nature. Also the the impact can be felt in both the driver and passenger floorboards. This will also occur at times under steady braking with no bumps in the road. In this scenario, the noise occurs well into braking, not immediately during weight shift when brakes are applied and before the car stops and weight shifts back.

Solution - ongoing. Car has been at the dealer for 2 days under examination. Initial day spent to resolve the problem yielded no results as I was advised that all appeared to be in check. Service manager was in vehicle with me when I was able to replicate the issue. Dealer is currently stumped on what is causing the severe noise as the issue is very apparent. Issue appeared at just under 2k miles.


So far dealer has been very responsive and I believe them to work attempting to resolve the issue and as best they can. I'll keep you guys posted to the solution.

P.S. I've asked them to look into the sway bar links and while I've not received a negative confirmation, it hasn't been officially ruled out.


2012 Sonic HB
1.4T 6 MT
Just over 2k miles on the odometer

Thanks for your comments ahtoxa.
This do not sound good. I will take my car to the dealer in a months time for the 15000KM servise and see what they say.

 

[pwven]

Thanks for all the replies.

 

[firstorbit84]

I had a suspension creak and I told the dealer, and they looked up the recall for the end links and changed them. Now the creak is gone

 

[BOOMSONICBOOM]

We just had our sonic front swaybar links replaced! The new ones to me are really nice amd beefy!! For the size of the car! Also they fixed the rear suspension issue with the coil spring not seated properly?...not sure. Anyway, now either by chance or whatever the car has a clunk in the steering wheel/column/??? Sorry hard to tell. Example : going to work in the morning, open car, sit down, buckle, start car, when I grab the steering wheel to get on with life..theres that clunk without car moving, but can't make it happen again? Annoying! Too me its tie rod or ISS LINK! Plus the darn brakes are squealing and screeching as well! I mean the thing has 1,000miles on it..I'm hoping a lot of trips and odd stuff at the begining...means long lasting greatness! Lol! I won't even mention the tranny issues! Wow! If I hear its normal, thays the way it works, one more time they can swap mine out for one of the two other sonic loaners tht was perfect. Ugh thx for the vent boomsonicboom:banana:

 

[rondoman]

Sounds like you have a lemon.