Symptons of a bad strut?

[skid542]

So for a couple weeks now I will notice a small knock from the front passenger side of the car, near the wheel (the seperate rpm dependent knock is still present for those wondering, though it's definately worse in the cold). Alignment is still good and all the joints and tie rod ends all seem tight. I haven't had the wheel off the ground yet to really check the ball joint though. If I rock down on the front driver's side it dips, comes up and repeats once more maybe before settling. All nice and quietly. Now if I do this on the front passenger side it dips and damps out alright, perhaps a little longer than the other side, but it definately makes a small knock sound. Just once, and it's on the rebound from max compression. If I grab the coil I can 'shake' the assembly more than I can on the driver's side. Like I said I need to get it up in the air but it's supposed to rain for another couple days I think but as soon as I can I will. Any opinions?

Lee

[evolutionmovement]

Strut top hats?

Steve

[skid542]

Is there any good way of checking these? Like I said as soon as weather permits it's coming off the ground and the wheel off so I can get a real good look but I'm not real familar with the top part of the strut assembly/system. Anything in particular I should look for?

[evolutionmovement]

I don't know. Mine have squeaked like an old pick up before (I believe) the frozen top hat broke the top of the strut off and allowed it to bang against the top hat. The only way I could tell was that the strut rod nut at the top spun very freely with a ratchet on it once it was broken.

Steve

[LaureltheQueen]

when my strut tops went bad in the wagon, it knocked every time i went over a bump

[skid542]

It's starting to sound like a good possibility...