I've had two 95s, one with 100k and the other with 70k on the odo and both of them make a moderate knocking (or popping) sound when traveling at fairly low speed over slightly bumpy surfaces. I can "feel" the sound slightly in the floor board. An alignment shop owner told me he thought it might be the exhaust. I'm certain he's wrong, especially after replacing it on one of my 95s. My guess is that it's the front strut bearing plate(s) but I don't know how to prove it other than replacing them. Kind of a lot of work and expense; I would rather know for sure before paying the money and doing the work. I would hate to do one thing and find out afterward it is ball joints. I would have thought the alignment shop would catch that. Also I have a 2001 with 64k on it that is dead silent over the same undulations.

Anyone here have some idea of what is causing the noise and maybe how I can verify the source?

Thanks

 

Mine does pretyt much the same thing you are describing. Hopefulyl someone can shime some light.

 

mine was the the trans mount, oddly enough. It was totally gone and making alot of noise over bumps.

 

It's easy enough to inspect your tie rod ends and ball joints by jacking up the front of the car. If you're still running the stock shocks, chances are they're leaking by now. I'd do a good visual on the whole suspension as it's 10+ years old. Your rubber bushings are probably shot by now.

 

Thanks for the reply. I have to admit that I have done very little regarding the suspension of any car. I changed shocks back in the 70s and replaced a tie rod end on a 92 taurus. Having only a small exposure and a general lack of experience is why I took the car to the alignment shop shortly after buying it. He charged me $20 to check it over and found the front end in fairly new condition. I was under the impression that even the struts had been changed because the springs had been replaced.

I have been under the car more times than I can count. The struts aren't leaking and the rubber bushings all seem smooth with no cracks. I was told to jack the car up with a front wheel hanging and use another jack to barely lift up on the lower control. Then, pry up on the suspended wheel to see if there is any play in the lower ball joint. I will do this next but I thought for sure this would be a common problem with this vintage of camaro and someone would recognize a source for the noise.

My logic regarding a common problem is because I have had two 95s at one time and both did exactly the same thing even though one had 30k less on it. My 2001 has nearly as many miles but it is quiet over the same small bumps. I guess age factors in but was hoping someone could score a hit on the common component needing attention. I don't want to replace strut bearing plates, bushings and other parts hoping to land on the right thing. I can take the car to another shop but I really trust the mechanic that told me he found nothing wrong with the major components. Most alignment (and tire) shops I have dealt with always find something to replace. He has done work on other cars and has never missed and I really think of him as competent and honest. He's just too far away and busy to do a re-take on the inspection.

I'll take your advice and check it over visually again. It would make a great car a lot nicer if I could get rid of that popping sound.

Regards

 

Will a bad mount be visually obvious or should I do something to look for movement?

This noise occurs whether I'm on the gas or coasting, btw.

Thanks

 

I have a 95 Z28 and it does the same thing. I first thought it was the exhaust but now I know it is coming from the front end. I have 128,00 miles on it and just recently started to do this. I have no clue.

north

 

Check your front sway bar rubber bushings. If they are worn and loose the sway bar will make this noise you describe.

RG