I would take the van to a front end specialties shop and get this
checked out along with a front end alignment.  You just did all of that
work and having the front end properly aligned afterward is just part of
it.  Shouldn't cost more than $80 and if the shop is good they will also
find your noise while they are at it.

Ken Wilford
John 3:16
www.vanagain.com

Allan Streib wrote:
> First significant drive today after replacing my steering rack, strut
> rod bushings, and upper ball joints.
>
> On the initial test runs around the neighborhood, there was a lot of
> noise in the front suspension, right under my feet, which seemed to
> settle down after a few turns and stops.  I assumed that it was just
> the strut rods "finding their place" with the new bushings.
>
> Today, while everything was quiet for the most part, whenever I would
> go over a sudden bump (e.g. parking lot speed bump) I could still
> hear and feel that creak, almost a twanging sound like a spring
> stretching.  Can the springs be that noisy?
>
> Allan
> --
> 1991 Vanagon GL
>