Clanking noise in the front

[Dsm_]

I have been fighting this issue for about a month now, When im driving or hit any bumps I hear something loose in the from makes a clanking noise. I have eliminated any suspension components as everything is tight and looks good. I have checked all the motor mounts and tranny mounts they all seem solid, Any other ideas on what could be causing this??

 

[fparedes07070]

You think your axles might be shot?

 

[92AWDHX40]

Check your cv joints they could be shot.

 

[icekilla126]

Could be your shock mounts. A bad cv will click and pop as you turn.

 

[Dsm_]

Brand new cv shafts on both sides.

 

[jtmcinder]

The most-frequent cause of bump-caused-noises is the swaybar. Check the brackets and the end-links. In the front of a 2G, number two is probably a shot bushing at the inboard end of an upper arm.

 

[Dsm_]

How do you tell if a bushing is shot. I have removed the whole right side suspension and everything is very tight and doesn't wobble

 

[jtmcinder]

I would have been obvious by that point. (Didn't read first post carefully enough; sorry.)

If it's not the swaybar or a bushing ... loose brake caliper? And, then, as suggested, start looking at axles and CV joints, even if new.

 

[93TSI_370K]

DSM_.... please define what you define as the "whole right side suspension". People could interpret that several ways.

The sway bar and suspension components, when assembled and tightened are under load (stressed) so don't be surprised if you do not feel or see anything worn if it is still attached. Tie rods and ball joints, you know how to check those right?
Does it make the noise when you bounce the car by hand, I kind of doubt it but got to ask. Your bearing plate on the top of the struts are good too?

If all else fails, I personally would disassemble the whole front suspension and check every component. If nothing is worn, then something besides your suspension is making the noise.

 

[bryanwheat]

I'd check the upper strut mounts. It is very common for these to rust out.

 

[Dsm_]

When the issue first started i had removed the struts and replaced them there were lowering springs on there, After installed it started making the noise so i though cv shafts because they were pretty bad replaced those and still happening. The front roll stop was bad so replaced that still same issue. I can stand on the front fender and bounce up and down and doesn't make a sound that's why part of me wants to say its a mount or something. The strut towers aren't rusted at all. When i say the whole right side I mean upper and lower control arms and strut and checked the wheel bearings and cv shafts.

 

[bryanwheat]

When the issue first started i had removed the struts and replaced them there were lowering springs on there, After installed it started making the noise so i though cv shafts because they were pretty bad replaced those and still happening. The front roll stop was bad so replaced that still same issue. I can stand on the front fender and bounce up and down and doesn't make a sound that's why part of me wants to say its a mount or something. The strut towers aren't rusted at all. When i say the whole right side I mean upper and lower control arms and strut and checked the wheel bearings and cv shafts.

I am not talking about the strut towers, i am talking about the round mount with 3 studs that mounts the strut to the tower. Bounce the front end of the car up and down and look at the strut piston to see if it moves with the car of if it has play.

 

[spydreclips6]

Lower Lateral control arm. when the ball joint goes bad and you hit a bump it will make a "clanking" noise. The Lateral control arm is the one that is bow shaped. I bet if you jack the car up off the ground and grab it you can make it move easily, or even make it move up and down enough at the ball joint to make a "clanking' noise.

 

[Dsm_]

If it's as the lower control lateral arm how much play should it have??

 

[bryanwheat]

If it's as the lower control lateral arm how much play should it have??

It should have no play at all. The curved arm is the least likely to have problems. The straight arm is what is common to have issues. You will have to take a pry bar and pry up on the spindle to check it for play.

 

[Dsm_]

I have been driving it and it runs perfect just makes the noise, When I grab the curved arm I can move it up and down but it doesn't make any noise. and the straight arm wont even move with a pry bar. I feel like it sounds like an motor or transmission mount clanking when I hit a bump but they all look fine.

 

[spydreclips6]

Is the Lower lateral control arm moving at the ball joint? If so it shouldn't be able to move like that.

 

[bryanwheat]

The Lower lateral control arm shouldn't be able to move like that.

The lateral arm is the straight arm. It should not move at all. The curved arm will move if you pry on it.

 

[spydreclips6]

If the movement of the lower lateral control arm is up and down at the ball joint then it is bad. Especially if he is able to grab it with his hands and move it.

 

[bryanwheat]

If the movement of the lower lateral control arm is up and down at the ball joint then it is bad. Especially if he is able to grab it with his hands and move it.

He is talking about the curved arm, which will move up and down even with a new arm. The bushing is flexible rubber and the ball joint is a flexible joint so the arm will move no matter what. If there is no play in the joint than there is no issues there.

 

[Dsm_]

Yea brian that's what I was thinking, Would any mounts in the engine make this issue. im gonna try to see if i can record it maybe.

 

[spydreclips6]

Your right I'm sorry. I meant the Lower Compression Control Arm. I just had to replace mine because of the same problem he's having. Does it shake some at higher speeds?

 

[Dsm_]

No actually doing 80 down the freeway it doesn't make the noise.

 

[spydreclips6]

Which side does it sound like the noise is coming from?

 

[Dsm_]

The right to the middle for sure, Last night I was noticing when I hit the gas I can feel the tranny move with the engine and if I spool up and let of in 2nd or 3rd the tranny kinda makes like a thump noise when it hits back, Is this normal?