CLUNK: Suspension...

[top_end95]

Well, last night the clunk sound started in the front passenger side when breaking slightly "agressively" (not slamming the brakes). It would do it sometimes, not all the time. Sometimes it also did when leaving from a stop.

I was told it could be lower control arm, but by visually checking it, it didnt seem to be the one at fault. WTF?

Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[missouri_dsm]

could be a motor mount or a strut or a ball joint. I would start by jacking the car up and checking your ball joint by getting a big pry bar and put it under your control arm, lift the pry bar up and down and see if ther is any play between the ball joint and the control arm. If there is'nt then proceed to checking the motor mounts. If your motor mounts are ok then my guess would be a strut.

 

[top_end95]

I'll check the ball joints. Prothane motor mounts are in the car, replaced not too long ago. Still could be the mounts?

Could be the struts, they're GR2s but bought used.

Thanks for the suggestions.

 

[missouri_dsm]

you said the motor mounts were replaced not too long ago? Check to make sure none of the bolt or nuts came loose or was left untightened. It wouldnt hurt to make sure the nuts on the strut towers were good and tight too.

 

[toybreaker]

If you hear the noise while braking, I would start with things that get loaded when you apply the brakes.

I would put the front of the car up on stands.

Give each tire a quicky look see for abnormal tread wear. Excessive inner or outer edge wear suggests a suspension/alignment issue.

Grasp each front wheel at the top and bottom and give a firm push/pull. Any motion/sound will most likely be ball joints.

Grab each wheel at the 3 and 9 o'clock position and give another push/pull. Play/noise here could be tie rods or the steering rack.

I would strongly suggest you check the brake caliper hardware, while you're there, make sure the pads aren't excessively loose in the carrier, and that the shims are present, and in good shape.

To narrow the noise down further, see if you can make it make the noise with suspension movement when you drive, or if it's strictly brake torque that makes it occur.

Good luck and let us know what you find.

 

[top_end95]

Thanks for the suggestions guys.

I checked the things suggested, except checking the ball joints with a pry bar because I dont have one

On to the tests...

No abnormal wear on tires

Passenger wheel- while pusing in/out with both hands at the same time (youll see why Im pointing this out below) holding top/bottom and 3-9 oclock, there was no play or noises.

Driver wheel-Same results

However, when the driver side wheel being "wiggled" (left hand pushing in and right hand pulling & vice versa) repeatedly with almost no effort, there was play and sound. With alot more muscle, there was play/sound on the passenger side (could be because of how hard I was doing it)


So im guessing its leading to the tie rods or steering rack?

 

[toybreaker]

Noise/play at 3 and 9 o' clock is about the tie rods and rack.

You can squeeze suspect outer tie rods with some big channel locks. Just put one jaw on the stud tip, and the other under the steering arm and squeeze. Any play/motion up and down indicates issues.

These cars also have inner tie rod ends. It's a ball and socket. They're under the boots and harder to check. If you remove the boot clamp from the rack, (pita) and gently slide the boot back down the tie rod some, you can have somebody wiggle the wheel, and watch for motion.

I would also check the rack bushings where it mounts to the crossmember.

Sometimes, the best way to find tie rod/steering rack noises is on the ground, engine off, with somebody else working the steering wheel back and forth (gently) as you watch/feel the various parts for play.

Good luck, and let us know what you find.

 

[top_end95]

I drove the car around the block not too long ago to check if it has gotten worst. Doesnt do it if I baby it.

Forgot to mention something which I hope will help narrow it down. When applying the breaks, the steering wheel shakes. Doesnt pull in any direction, just shakes.

Would this narrow it down to the rack?

I will definately check the things you mentioned once I have someone to double team this car with.

Thanks again

 

[missouri_dsm]

the steering wheel shake is probably just warped rotors and not related to the clunk noise.