clunking when turning and bumps

[GriffZero]

I did a search for this, but couldn't find my exact problem. I just bought a 1992 Eclipse GSX. The shocks/struts were all blown so I had them replaced with KYB AGXs. The axels were also wasted, so I had new ones put in. Before I had these repairs done whenever you hit a bump on the road the front left of the car would bang really loud. It sounded like the tire and shock and everything was just slamming into the car. After having the above mentioned work done the banging is still there, it's just not as horrible and doesn't happen as often. Typically it will happen when I turn to the right (like getting onto an onramp) or hit medium to large bumps (train tracks, pot holes, etc). It sounds a bit like a popping sound when I turn. Just a "clunk, clunk, clunk, clunk" until I stop the turn. With bumps it is more like a "clunk, bang!" depending on the bump.

I'm bringing the car into my mechanic on Friday, but it would be nice to tell him what it could be so he could look. From what I've read it sounds like it could be the bushings, but I'm not sure as I'm pretty much a noob.

Thanks!

 

[badas93tsi]

Check your swaybar end links. I had the same problem and one of them was broken. It was "clunking" when the bolt was slipping off of the swaybar. Hope it helps.

 

[GriffZero]

Cool, thanks, I'll check to see if that's what it is.

 

[ICGerms]

Also check your balljoints and tierod ends.

 

[BLUEBLOTCH]

Would bad tie rod ends really make that sound?
I took mine to a mechanic and it is making the clunking noise. He told me sway bar end link and I asked him about teh tie rod ends. I can see that it is shot!
Mechanic trying to screw me?

 

[ICGerms]

A bad ball joint is more likely to make a clunking sound, but bad tie rod ends can make noise too.

 

[power=dsm]

check your axles

 

[ICGerms]

check your axles

He already said he had new ones put in.

 

[swerv600]

that might be the balljoints because I had the same problem in my 2g, I put the front end up in the air and shooked the wheels side to side. The left side was nice and tight but had some popping going on in the right(where the noise came from). It was the lower control arm(the curved one).Had to go to the dealership for this part($250 a side). Installed the control arm did my alignment, alignments are free for me since I work at a shop. Other than that the clunck was gone.

 

[power=dsm]

He already said he had new ones put in.

Doesn't mean their new, for all you know it is a remanufactured part. But when a car turns and makes a cluncking noieses it's the axles. maybe they weren't installed right!

 

[BLUEBLOTCH]

Doesn't mean their new, for all you know it is a remanufactured part. But when a car turns and makes a cluncking noieses it's the axles. maybe they weren't installed right!

think axles made clicking noise when bad. Could be wrong.

 

[GriffZero]

The axels I had put in are brand new. I'm sure they were installed right, my mechanic does awesome work. Anyway, I brought the car to my mechanic last night and he said he'd take a look. He also thought it might be the sway bar end links, but he's going to check it out. I'll let you guys know what it was once I get the car back and talk to my mechanic. Thanks!

 

[GriffZero]

Thought I would bring this back with the results.

So, I had my mechanic look at it and he told me the endlinks were okay, but the springs were sagging a bunch and that could be the problem. So, I got the Eibach Pro-Kit and had them installed. Now the banging and clunking is gone, but it has been almost two months now. I'm noticing the clunking again when I go over bumps and overall the handling just doesn't feel very firm.

I'm hoping to have my mechanic take a look again, but lately he has been very flaky so I might bring the car elsewhere.

How hard is it to change the balljoints? In other words, how many hours would it take, so I can figure out the cost? The suspension on my car is driving me mad! Haha!

 

[turboholic]

So, I had my mechanic look at it and he told me the endlinks were okay, but the springs were sagging a bunch and that could be the problem. So, I got the Eibach Pro-Kit and had them installed. Now the banging and clunking is gone, but it has been almost two months now. I'm noticing the clunking again when I go over bumps and overall the handling just doesn't feel very firm.

-The part of the strut shaft right below the tread is not round, it's "D" shape, which fit into the "D" shape hole on the upper spring perch, there is also an 1/4" diameter hole on each upper and lower spring perch, the top hole should line up with the bottom hole.
-You can see the hole on the silver strut in the 1st photo here: http://www.vfaq.com/mods/Konis.html
-My car had clanking noise when the "D" shape hole on the upper spring perch had been round off.

 

[ICGerms]

...How hard is it to change the balljoints? In other words, how many hours would it take, so I can figure out the cost?...

Really, it depends on how rusty everything currently is. Changing both of your front balljoints shouldn't take more than a couple of hours, especially if none of the parts are rusted/frozen on/in. If you DO have a lot of rusted and/or seized up parts, it will take longer, but still shouldn't take more than 4 hours.

If you've got any mechanical ability and access to tools, it's definitely a Do-it-yourself project.

 

[laserwitpsi]

I was wondering if you replaced the rubber bump stops that ride on the struts with new ones? I know I had to replace them on my 90 dsm when changing out the springs and struts. The stoppers usually corrode and break apart over time. I know these can cause noise if not properly installed or left off of the car.

 

[GriffZero]

Now that I think about it, I'm wondering if my mechanic took out the bump stops completely. For some reason I remember him saying something about how he usually just takes them out when he puts new springs/shocks in a car that's lowered. I'll have to check on that. I'm bringing my car to get looked at on Wednesday (by a different mechanic, a more professional one ), so we'll see what happens.

 

[jrs012]

I too just bought a DSM, my first one. It's a 92 Talon TSi FWD. It has a bit of a clunking in the front and I have diagnosed it down to the bearings. Pick the front of the car up and make sure it is in gear. Now grab the noisy wheel and put pressure on the top and "rock" it from top to bottom, it shouldn't budge if the bearing is good. If the bearing is blown it will be a bit loose. Hopefully after I replace my bearing, that will solve my problem. I hope for your sake it is the bearing, the part is under $50 and all you have to do is press it in, which anyone with a hydrolic jack can do themselves. Good Luck

 

[laserwitpsi]

Well when I replaced my struts and springs I had to get new bump stops from the dealership and I had to cut some length off of them so my car would ride low and good. Ask your mechanic if that will have an affect on the noise.