*Front end suspension issues*

[SonicJG]

So I just bought my 2013 Sonic Lt Sedan last night. It’s got 100k and I paid 2gs for it. I’m definitely excited to learn from you all and get to mods and upgrades on this thing.
First things first: Driving it I’ve noticed creaking sounds everytime I hit even a minor bump in the road. The creaks sounds pretty ugly. I’ve also notice that the steering wheel shakes a little bit and it’s like there’s an inch or 2 of free-play where it’s unresponsive from the default-centered position if that makes sense. (No resistance)*if that makes any sense*
The seller was convinced that it was the shocks causing the grinding-creaking sound. However, I did the push down on the hood test, to see if the car still bounced after I released my hand and it didn’t. Now I don’t know very much about working on cars, but after reading some threads, it appears to me that it could be the sway bar links, control arms, or possibly the ball joints? If anyone could possibly offer some insight or clarity on my issue, it would be much appreciated, especially if I could avoid taking it to a mechanic for an inspection tomorow.. I also plan to jack this joker up tomorow and check it out. Are there any specific indicators I could look for as to faulty or damaged suspension parts?
Appreciate it! Cheers

 

[skurtov]

So I just bought my 2013 Sonic Lt Sedan last night. It’s got 100k and I paid 2gs for it. I’m definitely excited to learn from you all and get to mods and upgrades on this thing.
First things first: Driving it I’ve noticed creaking sounds everytime I hit even a minor bump in the road. The creaks sounds pretty ugly. I’ve also notice that the steering wheel shakes a little bit and it’s like there’s an inch or 2 of free-play where it’s unresponsive from the default-centered position if that makes sense. (No resistance)*if that makes any sense*
The seller was convinced that it was the shocks causing the grinding-creaking sound. However, I did the push down on the hood test, to see if the car still bounced after I released my hand and it didn’t. Now I don’t know very much about working on cars, but after reading some threads, it appears to me that it could be the sway bar links, control arms, or possibly the ball joints? If anyone could possibly offer some insight or clarity on my issue, it would be much appreciated, especially if I could avoid taking it to a mechanic for an inspection tomorow.. I also plan to jack this joker up tomorow and check it out. Are there any specific indicators I could look for as to faulty or damaged suspension parts?
Appreciate it! Cheers

Control arms are replaced as a single piece and diagnosed separately, when you replace the arm you're replacing those ball joints.

Sway bar links as well. Do some thorough reading of my common problems thread.

If you do not know how to diagnose a problem take it to a professional, and if you're lucky they'll show you for the future. There's only so much you can be taught on a forum board.

 

[SonicJG]

Appreciate the input skurtov

 

[BigJake]

Front end suspension issues

Start with sway bar links. Originals are plastic and cannot be greased. They are about $20 for new ones if you install them yourself (not very difficult). I replaced mine at 125k and it was like driving a new car again.

If it is the ball joints, they are all one piece as skurtov said. I have not replaced mine, but looks to be easier than most other cars I have done this on.

Congrats on your new sonic!

 

[SonicJG]

BigJake, thanks brotha appreciate that.
So I jacked her up found the links and gave them a shake. I’m not sure how much movement they are supposed to have, but I certainly could shake them around and turn them about 90 degrees with my hand. Yah Imma start by replacing them and hopefully that’s it.

 

[gnonne]

I've had three Sonics... They all need the links. You can replace them with the plastics parts for $20 (did that once or twice) or spend $40 on Moog parts that will last longer than the car. If the links move at all by hand, they are bad.
I did a control arm on one of them, but that was after a potholed exit ramp at 70 MPH with an overloaded car prematurely broke a ball joint. At 100K it might need control arms, might not. These are considered wearable parts, especially if you live in an area with bad roads.
If you have play in the steering, it probably needs tie rod ends. These wear out much quicker than ball joints and are easier (cheaper) to replace.
I'd find a local shop that will install parts you bring to them and pay them $20 or so to have a look at it. If it needs links and tie rod ends, they can do both at the same time.
Parts from Rockauto.com are the way to go to save money.

 

[SonicJG]

Thanks man really appreciate the help. I’ve got it sittin in blocks and I replaced all the fluids and plan on doing a tune up this weekend to Kind if reverse any damage done by the previous owner. I changed the oil and put some lucas in there. I think I’m gonna do a coolant flush because I opened the cap and the idiot before me had straight water in the reservoir. And I live in philly where it’s below freezing right now. I just hope nothing is messed up already. The links look pretty simple to do so I’m gonna tackle that myself and I want to learn as much as I can. Thanks to this forum and you guys I was able to diagnose my own problems and have learned a lot about my car. So I really appreciate you guys for passing the knowledge along. Any recommendations

 

[gnonne]

Forgot to mention that the rear shocks are also poor. They leak out the gas/fluid and become useless pretty quickly. Actually, they are not hard to change as they do not go through the suspension coil spring, but along side it. I did mine and it was easier than I thought. The only hard part is removing the fender liners so you can access that two top bolts. Buy them on Amazon and re-use the top mounts.