Diagnose this front-end noise
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Diagnose this front-end noise
Hi! It's been a while.
I'm having some front end clunking going on. It seems to happen at lower speeds (below 40mph) and sounds like someone is knocking on the undercarriage when it happens. Going over bumps initiates it, and it sounds like the front of the car is going to fall off. The steering also feels rather loose.
I also noticed sometimes the same clunk appears when I shift quick from 1st to 2nd, or if I am in 1st and let off the gas hard before pressing in the clutch. It doesn't always happen, but sometimes it does.
Parts replaced that didn't do anything:
Front struts, strut mounts, control arm bushings, swaybar endlinks, ball joints. I had a tire shop check out the entire front end and he said everything he could see/feel looked good.
I'm going to replace the intermediate shaft, since it's rusty and I think I replaced it with some POS Dorman unit like 3 years ago. I think the part was even recalled at one point, haha.
Any other ideas?
Thanks,
Chris
I'm having some front end clunking going on. It seems to happen at lower speeds (below 40mph) and sounds like someone is knocking on the undercarriage when it happens. Going over bumps initiates it, and it sounds like the front of the car is going to fall off. The steering also feels rather loose.
I also noticed sometimes the same clunk appears when I shift quick from 1st to 2nd, or if I am in 1st and let off the gas hard before pressing in the clutch. It doesn't always happen, but sometimes it does.
Parts replaced that didn't do anything:
Front struts, strut mounts, control arm bushings, swaybar endlinks, ball joints. I had a tire shop check out the entire front end and he said everything he could see/feel looked good.
I'm going to replace the intermediate shaft, since it's rusty and I think I replaced it with some POS Dorman unit like 3 years ago. I think the part was even recalled at one point, haha.
Any other ideas?
Thanks,
Chris
#3
Senior Member
Thread Starter
If the I-Shaft doesn't fix it, which it probably won't knowing my luck, I'll replace the swaybar bushings as I think they are relatively cheap.
Thanks,
Chris
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yellow dragon (05-18-2016)
#4
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Update!
I'm able to grab the I-Shaft from the drivers seat and turn the wheel back and forth. Not only can you hear the clunking, but you can feel it as well. Hopefully the new part fixes it.
Chris
I'm able to grab the I-Shaft from the drivers seat and turn the wheel back and forth. Not only can you hear the clunking, but you can feel it as well. Hopefully the new part fixes it.
Chris
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Redhorn2468 (04-11-2023)
The following users liked this post:
Redhorn2468 (04-11-2023)
#6
Senior Member
iTrader: (1)
I grabbed the swaybar by the bushings and shook it as hard as I could and I didn't hear any noise or feel any play. I also smacked the entire swaybar with a rubber mallet and everything felt solid, but who knows.
If the I-Shaft doesn't fix it, which it probably won't knowing my luck, I'll replace the swaybar bushings as I think they are relatively cheap.
Thanks,
Chris
If the I-Shaft doesn't fix it, which it probably won't knowing my luck, I'll replace the swaybar bushings as I think they are relatively cheap.
Thanks,
Chris
http://s1211.photobucket.com/user/mm...qxv5.jpg.html][/URL
#7
Senior Member
Thread Starter
By hand my sway bar felt fine but when i looked at the bushing i saw this. I ordered new prothane ones off Jegs for 10.99.
http://s1211.photobucket.com/user/mm...qxv5.jpg.html][/URL
http://s1211.photobucket.com/user/mm...qxv5.jpg.html][/URL
#11
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#13
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That's at the end of the steering shaft. If you see a ton of 'red' there, it's rusted and needs to be replaced. Mine was really bad, needed a hammer and a square head to pound it off.
#17
Check the balljoints, the steering knuckles and the bolts that secure the balljoints. I had the same issue for years and it was the balljoints. They had so much play that they damage the bolts that secure them and the steering knuckles too.
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