clunking front suspension

[shocrates]

This past weekend I installed ALSFB. I took it for a test drive and was very pleased. After driving about 40 miles I started to hear a clunking. I tightened the bushings some more, and that didn't help. The clunking began happening more frequently and while turning back to center after turning to the left. While driving, if I come to a stop, when I release the brakes, it will immediately clunk or clunk after I start accelerating. It will also clunk while going over speed bumps or potholes.

The clunking has gotten louder and it is coming from the passenger side. If I slowly roll in forward or reverse, and tap the brakes, it will clunk. I bounced the suspension on the front passenger side and didn't hear anything abnormal. I grabbed the tire, while it was still on the ground, at 9 and 3 o'clock, when I pushed at 3 there was a little play and some noise. When I pushed at 9, there wasn't any play. I then placed my hands on the tread at the 10 and 2 o'clock positions, and when I tried rolling the tire front to back there was play and I could produce a muffled clunking noise. I jacked up the car. I tried pushing and pulling at 9 and 3 and there wasn't any play. If I pushed and pulled at 12 o'clock, there was play, but not at the 6 o'clock position.

The bearings seem OK, but I'm not sure. Are these symptoms consistent with a failed ball joint? Any help is appreciated.

 

[Mr Anonymous]

Did you properly TORQUE the subframe bolts when you installed the aluminum bushings, or just tighten them?

If all you've done is change the bushings and the noise started afterwards, that would be a logical place to start looking. It sounds like your subframe is moving around due to one or more loose bushings.

 

[shocrates]

I initially torqued the bushings to 110. When the clunking began I assumed they were the problem, and now they are torqued to 125. I know the subframe isn't moving while I induce play in the wheel. The play is a slight wobble of the wheel from front to back. At this point, I think it's safe to eliminate the new bushings since I found the wobble in the suspension.

 

[SHO--ripper]

125 should be more than sufficient. Tie rod ends, or strut/bearing/mount.

 

[NotSoSlowSHO]

More than likely tie rod ends.

I have the same clunk. kind of irritating, but I need to wait for the rest of my suspension parts to arrive before I replace them.

 

[Hack]

Could be the bushings in your control arms, where they mount to the frame. I have almost identical symptoms on my drivers side wheel.

For more info, check this out.

front end noise thread

 

[atticdog]

do you have any pictures of these bushings in the control arm?

 

[Hack]

atticdog:
do you have any pictures of these bushings in the control arm?

I do not have one handy. I can snap some tommorow. If you look at the control arm, it is at the end opposite the wheel, just below the CV axle. It is easily visible if the wheel is removed.

 

[atticdog]

ok thanx
im also gonna check the radius cups can you take a few pictures of these too?

 

[91 SHOplus]

Shocrates, I had that happen, too. After I put in the police style bushings, I still had clunking. I grabbed the tire at 9 and 3 and felt the same play. On my '91, it was the outer tie rod that failed.

 

[shocrates]

I wish it was a tie rod end. While inspecting the suspension I noticed a gap between the subframe and strut rod mount, and a clean or polished area around the mount. I put the wheel on and put the car back on the ground. I rolled the tire front to back, while watching the strut rod mount. I could see the strut rod mount moving, about a 1/4", in and out of the subframe. Problem found.

Moog has a repair kit for this problem. Does anybody have any experience with this kit?

 

[shoinoff95]

I just looked over the repair kit and to me it looks like it is a good problem solver and that it would work alright.

I wonder how my strut rod bushing looks because I too get a clunking sound when first accelerating and when I first hit the brakes? shrug

<small>[ December 04, 2003, 09:08 PM: Message edited by: shoinoff95 ]</small>

 

[atticdog]

is that different than the radius cup?