2018-2020 Regal Front End Noise and Strut Mounts

[Crispy]

2018 TourX with 62k. The front right was creaking but now creak is gone and replaced by a clunk when working the steering wheel left and right. With the wheels off for snow wheel change, I had the owner (wife) work the steering wheel left and right. With my hand placed between the moving and non-moving part of the strut at the very top, inside the fender well, I could hear the clunk while also feeling movement. No sound or movement on the opposite side. Also, I am seeing increased tire wear on the inside of that right front.
Can anyone tell me if p/n 84449978, “Front Strut Mount”, is the offending part?

 

[wi_badger]

2018 Essence Red Needle 76k miles. Front strut mounts, struts, dust boots and related parts replaced. Noise gone, front end feels more solid, maybe just perception. If only the dealer techs since 1 year had been as interested in finding the issue as the local independent. Could have been covered under warranty.

Biggest problem was sourcing the parts...an aging rare car. Had to argue with dealer parts dept over the existence of the dust boot. Come on.

 

[Somebody Else]

2018 Essence Red Needle 76k miles. Front strut mounts, struts, dust boots and related parts replaced. Noise gone, front end feels more solid, maybe just perception. If only the dealer techs since 1 year had been as interested in finding the issue as the local independent. Could have been covered under warranty.

Biggest problem was sourcing the parts...an aging rare car. Had to argue with dealer parts dept over the existence of the dust boot. Come on.

From what I saw some parts of the suspension are already going NLA, the spring insulator IIRC.

 

[2RegalHouse]

2018 Essence Red Needle 76k miles. Front strut mounts, struts, dust boots and related parts replaced. Noise gone, front end feels more solid, maybe just perception. If only the dealer techs since 1 year had been as interested in finding the issue as the local independent. Could have been covered under warranty.

Biggest problem was sourcing the parts...an aging rare car. Had to argue with dealer parts dept over the existence of the dust boot. Come on.

What did this run you for the front end? Also have a 2018 sportback with similar issues and wanted to gauge what others are paying.

 

[2RegalHouse]

From what I saw some parts of the suspension are already going NLA, the spring insulator IIRC.

With some of the parts seemingly NLA - are any of the Malibu parts from the same era interchangeable? I know in the rear - the knuckles themselves are often the source of pops and groans and the Malibu uses the same part / aftermarket replacements are common...

 

[abizzle]

Well it seems I have now developed some noises coming from the front suspension, but the circumstances leading up to it are a little different than what most people have reported. The noises started after I replaced the front brake rotors this past Saturday. I've known for about a year that I would end up replacing the rotors and after the snow/ice/frigid temps event we had last month, they got worse. They were warped and caused a significant amount of vibration and "bouncing" at speeds starting around 30 mph.

I ended up buying the NAPA Adaptive One Coated Front Rotors (option code J60) for $90.00 each. I immediately got anxious when I opened the box because the new rotors had five holes for the lugs and five additional holes that were smaller and had a chamfered edge. I knew one of the holes was for the retaining screw, but couldn't understand the need for the other four holes. I've since learned it's nothing to worry about.

I got the new rotors on and put everything back together using appropriate torque specs. 118 lbft for the caliper bracket and 90 lbft for the caliper bolts. The new rotors are great and I would consider them a slight upgrade from the OEM. They're quiet, smooth, and the pedal feels slightly more firm. The only problem is I cannot enjoy them just yet because I now have a loud, annoying creaking noise at low speeds and it coincides with weight transfer from front to back.

From a dead stop, all I have to do is give it enough gas for the nose of the vehicle to lift up slightly and it creaks. At slow speeds I can kinda coast along and then give it a little gas and every time that weight transfer happens, so does the creak. So now I need to start looking at the LCA bushings, sway bar, upper strut mounts, end links, etc. The big question is why would changing rotors cause this noise to manifest itself? Here's my theory:

The vibration and bouncing I referred to may have loosened one or more suspension parts. I would imagine that one or more of the aforementioned parts should probably be replaced due to general age and wear and tear, but that doesn't necessarily mean that any of them are bad right now. The only troubleshooting I've done so far is spraying the LCA bushings with silicone spray and I wanna say it helped slightly, but the noise is still easy to replicate and it's loud inside the cabin.

I would welcome anyone else's thoughts or theories. I'm about to pull off the driver's side wheel and fender liner, and check the suspension bolts and bushings. The noise seems to be more prominent on the driver's side, although it sounds like it's coming from both sides.

 

[wi_badger]

What did this run you for the front end? Also have a 2018 sportback with similar issues and wanted to gauge what others are paying.

$432 of parts, $400 of labor, $90 for alignment plus tax.

 

[ItsDeke]

I’ve started noticing a front end noise the last couple of weeks but haven’t had a chance to poke around yet (or take it to a shop), and haven’t really come up with any concrete potential solutions from googling.

In my case, I’m getting a single clunk noise when either turning in reverse or heavy braking. It’s not repeating or rhythmic or anything, just one lone clunk pretty much any time I back out of my garage or a parking spot or brake a little heavier than normal.

Anyone else had this?

(2019 FWIW)

 

[abizzle]

I bought Upper Strut Mounts for the front last week and I plan to install them just as soon as I finish fixing my A/C.

To clarify my issue, it sounds like two old men in creaky rocking chairs are under the front of my car. I hear the noise when accelerating, when going over speed bumps, and when pulling into my driveway. The noise will go away for a few days if we get a good rain and I drive thru a few puddles.

I’m starting with the strut mounts because they are at the top. If that doesn’t fix it, I’ll move to something lower.

 

[MMKRegalTX]

I am sure I will need this to be done soon, I was under my car yesterday for a scraping sound and saw my strut mounts were starting to show signs of age. (72k miles). My car has always had noises from the front end, I've had the sway bars done under warranty, and I just had the control arm w/ ball joint and baring replaced. The road noise is better and I don't hear the same noise I used to when hitting a bump.

 

[Torzer]

I bought Upper Strut Mounts for the front last week and I plan to install them just as soon as I finish fixing my A/C.

To clarify my issue, it sounds like two old men in creaky rocking chairs are under the front of my car. I hear the noise when accelerating, when going over speed bumps, and when pulling into my driveway. The noise will go away for a few days if we get a good rain and I drive thru a few puddles.

I’m starting with the strut mounts because they are at the top. If that doesn’t fix it, I’ll move to something lower.

Hey there, did you manage to solve this riddle with the noise? I'm facing this issue with similar symptoms, like you reported. If so, what was the solution? Thnx! Buick Regal TourX 2018.

 

[GARY ANGUS]

Replacing the front struts DID eliminate the noise.

 

[Torzer]

Replacing the front struts DID eliminate the noise.

I did, it didnt help. So I believe I have to replace also front lower control arms

TSB 18NA163​

 

[Chef jpd]

Did you replace the upper strut mounts with the struts?
They have a notorious habit of failing.