Just replaced suspension and still getting a clunk??

[TurboDreamzGST]

got a 98 eclipse gst spyder...i was getting a loud clunk noise from the rear suspension when i went over bumps and since my suspension was shot i assumed it was coming from there. After installing my new coilovers, the ride is 110% better but the clunk is still there. Now after doing some research i found out to check the rear control arm bushings which i'll do on my next day off from work but i was just wondering if there was anything else that could cause this noise and if so what else should i check while im checking the control arm bushings? BTW the clunk was happening before i got my new exhaust and exhaust hangers installed so i know thats not the culprit. Thanks guys.

 

[HurleyTSi]

Check the upper strut mounts for rust. One of mine got all rusty and broke letting the top of the strut bounce around. Really annoying. Replaced the mount and it was all better. They rust easy too.

 

[falcon8r]

Check the upper strut mounts for rust. One of mine got all rusty and broke letting the top of the strut bounce around. Really annoying. Replaced the mount and it was all better. They rust easy too.

The sturut mount or strut bearing as it is too called, will cause just what you describe. So will a bad controll arm bushing but it's a different kind of clunking. The strut mount will chatter crossing over railroad tracks for example. The control arms on slalom movements. If the control bushings are metal to metal it's all the time. Tres...

 

[TurboDreamzGST]

Well I don't think it could the strut mounts since I just replaced all my old suspension with a full set of coilovers which were pre-assembled and included the mounts of course. Any other ideas besides the control arm bushings though?

 

[okm12346]

Sway bar bushings

 

[TurboDreamzGST]

By sway bar bushings do you mean the sway bar links?

 

[rich3389]

I'm willing to bet its the spring idolaters, did you check the condition of them, you know the rubber piece in between the top of the spring and the mount.

 

[TurboDreamzGST]

Ok it can't be the strut mount or the isolaters since I installed COILOVERS which contained new strut mounts and isolaters and came fulle assembled.

Any other suggestions or input would be greatly appreciated too...thanks for all the help guys

 

[okm12346]

By sway bar bushings do you mean the sway bar links?

No, sway bar bushing - where sway bar is mounted to the rear subframe. I had a clunk when i take off. You cant see it there's play in there untill you get both sway bar links free. And since you are there inspect the links as well. The rubber grommet tends to rip with the time

See if exhaust rubs somewhere. Or just look for pars being too close

 

[Bluefire16]

You sure its just not the 3rd brake light? Haha i no it may sound dumb but mind would always make a clunk when i hit a bump... so i removed (i hate it anyways)

 

[EclipseTical]

something else to check that is easily overlooked: Make sure your spare tire and jack are tightened down fully. Mine wasn't and the jack would clunk every now and then since it had enough space to move in the damn bracket.

 

[TurboDreamzGST]

Well I have the spyder so my 3rd brake light is outside the car but I checked it anyway and it's tight, I'm about to check my spare tire and Jack now ### that's a Great idea that I never thought to check...and on my next day off I'll check my sway bar bushing and links as well as my control arm bushings. Thanks for all the input guys! The more info I have the better it will be so I don't overlook anything

I thought the FWD didn't have a sub frame...I thought only the AWD had a subframe an the FWD just had a unibody frame wit the crossmember in the rear. Am I correct?

Oh I also forgot to mention that the clunking noise comes individually from each side of the car I just depends on which side of the car hits the bump

 

[okm12346]

I always interchange the two things - subframe and crossmember for some reason

 

[TurboDreamzGST]

Ok I just wanted to make sure because I wasnt 100% sure that I was right

 

[Majikterror]

To OP, does car make the noise when on the brakes? Mine clunks and I had a bad ITE. But my car still does the same noise and I noticed that it is only if the brakes are not engaged over bumps.