Stupid loud front end clunk
 

I just purchased an 07 cobalt ss and it needs some work. The previous owner said it was stage 2. The main thing is the front end clunks really loud when first accelerating or decelerating. It sounds like something heavy is moving around. I read everywhere that the control arm bushing is a big problem, but is it really that loud? The motor mounts look stock, should I replace them?

Mine does this. I think it is a bad steering rack. You can hear the noise when grabbing the tire by the 9 and 3 position and moving it around.

Hard to diagnose over the web. Check the CAB's as those are notoriously junk (and a PITA to replace due to the carriage nut problem.) Motor mounts don't normally go bad but you can check those too.

If you just bought it I'd take a good look at the steering/suspension and the mounts from the sound of your issue.

Thanks guys, I ordered the control arm bushings and the trans bushings, as well as the side motor mount. Definitely feels like something is moving, pain in the ass in traffic. I'll take a look at the cabs when I do the bushings.

Check your sway bar bushings.... the sway bar will clunk when they are worn out. Go underneath and just hit it with your palm; if you hear a any clunk sound, that would be your culprit.

Mine clunks in reverse if I let the clutch out quick.

Usual culprit is the rear bushing on the front lower control arm or sway bar end link.

This is my first post/reply on here, and I figured, rather than starting a new post, I could jump into this one, since it's about the lower control arm specifically.

I have an '06 SS 2.4L. It's not fancy (anymore *sigh*), but I got a good deal on it last year and I do love Cobalts. I need a new lower control arm on the passenger side, so I'm looking to just replace both of them while I have the work being done. I am having a heck of a time finding the right part that'll fit. If I have read around accurately, my old girl takes FE3 suspension parts. First, can you guys confirm this for the '06 SS? If it is FE3, do you guys happen to have an OEM parts # guide/list for that suspension?

Any feedback/guidance/suggestion is greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

https://www.cobaltss.net/forums/susp...m4-jl9-137064/

Post 1 and post 11 for the info you're looking for.

I did have this thread bookmarked already, for the Post 1 info. I missed, originally, Post 11. Thank you very much. :bow:

I've had every noise in the front end, first I found the cab bushings were torn so I pressed in solid rubber moog bushings, then after a while i had clunking over potholes and uneven surfaces and found the links were shot. Put moog links on. Still had a slight noise when wiggling the wheel back and forth and replaced the intermediate shaft and solved the last noise. Hope this helps