Why does the strut top mounting plate rotate by hand?
Strut top mounting plates can often rotate or move freely by hand depending on the vehicle design and whether the suspension is loaded or unloaded. This uncertainty during an inspection can make it difficult to distinguish normal movement from a failing component or a serious issue like a loose wheel assembly.
What the numbers show
Counted from the threads quoted below. How we count
- The most recent one is from October 2026.
- This comes up 9.3× more often in r/AskMechanics than across the site as a whole.
What people tried
Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.
Found another way around this?
Share your steps and trade-offs so fellow engineers don't have to reinvent the wheel. No account required.
- 1Checking and comparing component movement against other vehiclesDid this help you?
- 2Using a bar to flex suspension components while the car is raised to check for weaknessDid this help you?
- 3Delaying wheel alignment until the suspension noise is resolvedDid this help you?
- 4Checking for play with the wheel on and lug nuts tightenedDid this help you?
- 5Ordering replacement bearings proactively to have on handDid this help you?
- 6Replacing commonly known failing parts like motor mountsDid this help you?
- 7replacing drop links, bushings, or the entire sway bar using junkyard or new partsDid this help you?
- 8unhooking the sway bar entirelyDid this help you?
- 9Replacing suspension parts iteratively such as control arms, tie rod ends, struts, and sway bar linksDid this help you?
- 10Inspecting or listening closely to diagnose specific components like strut bearingsDid this help you?
- 11Pushing down on each corner of the car while stationary to test for noisesDid this help you?
- 12Bringing the car to a friend with a lift to inspect componentsDid this help you?
- 13Replacing the top strut mount and bearingDid this help you?
- 14Replacing the complete strut assemblyDid this help you?
- 15Calling parts suppliers directly to ask about component brandsDid this help you?
- 16Ordering replacement parts from alternative online suppliers like RockAutoDid this help you?
- 17Replacing major front-end components one by oneDid this help you?
- 18Inspecting the tire and underside visually for rust or damageDid this help you?
- 19Guessing potential causes like wheel bearings or strut top mountsDid this help you?
- 20putting the vehicle on a lift to inspect componentsDid this help you?
- 21checking ball joints and CV axles for playDid this help you?
- 22inspecting rubber boots and control arm bushings for wear or dry rotDid this help you?
- 23Checking alignmentDid this help you?
- 24Push down on the corner of the car above the strut to see if it bounces back up instead of absorbing the push.Did this help you?
- 25Wiggle the jacked-up wheel up and down to test the ball joint, and side to side for the tie rod ends.Did this help you?
- 26Touch the suspension spring while a friend turns the steering wheel back and forth to feel for binding strut tower bearings.Did this help you?
- 27Replacing just the CV boot with a kit instead of the whole axleDid this help you?
- 28Checking tie rod ends and wheel bearings to locate the source of the playDid this help you?
In their words
Unedited, grouped by where they were said, most upvoted first within each place, each linked to the thread it came from.
“Stopped because I heard something clunking on the road. Is this sway bar? Does the whole thing need to be replaced? Help :(. Is anyone near blind river ontario that can help? Im not rich 😭😭”source ↗
“recently it has started to sound like the passenger side rear wheel is falling off or going to fall off.”source ↗
“It's not a lot of banging, it just sounds like something is loose and that it COULD fall off, but not necessarily going to”source ↗
“Im fucked💀, the wheel is bolted onto the rotor and it shakes just like video 1.”source ↗
“As far as I remember I started having this noise after I replaced strut assembly this March and since then I’ve been just digging through the whole suspension system to find this noise.”source ↗
“Just a few days ago I replaced struts with sway bar links again and it seemed to be gone for a sec until I started hearing the same noise all over again…”source ↗
“I just can’t believe I got unlucky with the struts for the second time with the same side🤷♂️”source ↗
“Going over bumps like manhole covers at 30kph or higher there is an audible clunk from the front end.”source ↗
“Would this likely be the shocks and if not, what suspension component do you think it could be?”source ↗
“I can get parts at cost I just don't know which ones I need.”source ↗
“Having trouble diagnosing this pop sound, appears to be coming from the drivers side.”source ↗
“Typically happens when turning sharp at low speeds like in a parking lot, and most of the time when turning right, rarelywhen turning left.”source ↗
“Since getting the work done I’ve got this annoying humming that’s seemingly rotational and starts at about 40kmh.”source ↗
“I was driving my car about 25mph when I heard a sudden popping clunky sound now when I drive over bumps its very clanky like an old boat. I tried to take a video of my tire rotating does anyone see any issues here just in this?”source ↗
“Kinda also makes a squeel or chirp when I hit bumps too along with the cranking like an old pirate boat lol”source ↗
“The strut starts “jumping” like this when i turn left. It does so mostly when i turn left while stationary but also when it returns and sometimes when i turn to the right.”source ↗
“Is this a strut mount ball bearing issue or is this something else?”source ↗
“Tie rods are shot on mine. I’m curious if they sell/use a specific brand or if they’re in-house parts?”source ↗
“while looking for the squeaking noise noticed the strut top mounting plate could rotate freely without much force applied on both sides of the car.”source ↗
“Thought so - only thing is when I tried moving it on someone elses car it wouldn't budge by hand, hence my worry.”source ↗
“The car has always had a clunking noise in the suspension but I swapped replaced the 4C front struts and it sounds better in the left side.”source ↗
“However in the right I can hear this noise when driving low speed.”source ↗
“I got a lot more play than I was expecting.”source ↗
“Could it still be the CV axle even though there's no visible issue? Or is it likely a bearing that just isn't making noise yet?”source ↗
“My car has a clunk here and there (typically on right side) when going over bumps.”source ↗
“Is this the source of the noise?”source ↗
“control arm bushing has slipped out in first pic”source ↗
“Very likely, that whole bushing looks pulled out but also since it's got a bolt in it I'd consider it structural. Definitely get that replaced soon”source ↗
“Anytime I go over a bump at an angle, i hear this popping noise. on top of that i have an inconsistent shudder when the road is uneven.”source ↗
“Anyone have any idea what else it could be?”source ↗
“Recently replaced my front suspension on my 2011 Scion Tc with new parts as well as a set of Tein Flex Z coil overs. Everything has been tightened I figure someone else might know what the hell this is.”source ↗
“Can’t seem to nail down noises that keep showing up on the front end.”source ↗
“My clamp for cv joint boot came off and my rotor wobbles at 3 and 9 position it wobbles with the bolt that connects my tie rod is there a chance I can just replace the boot and do I need a new tie rod also there's squealing on the driver side whenever I turn left even slightly.”source ↗
“My Mazda 6 2021 2.5L started making this distinctive knock when it goes over a large displacement speed bump at low speeds of about 15kph.”source ↗
“This noise started after the dealership replaced my front strut mounts and steering rack under warranty.”source ↗
Where this came up
People with this problem also raised
- 32Why are my brakes squeaking and shaking the floorboard?
- 5Why is my car steering stiff and chirping when turning?
- 7Engine still squeaking after replacing water pump and tensioner
- 11How to tell if a front end shake is tie rods or wheel bearings
- 5Knocking noise under car after bottoming out on driveway
- 6How to tell if suspension parts are bent or defective