Is my subframe broken??? I have a clunking sound

[1993MTXSHO]

as the title says I have a clunking sound comming from the front of my car. Its not very loud but is a solid hit and I can feel it in the floorboards. Its only when i am goign over some bumps and its not happenign all the time. I tried to reproduce the sound and I couldnt but then it did it again all on its own. Could my subframe bolts be broken, my car doesnt have any open recalls on it so I assume the recall was done. Is it possible one of my bushings has ripped apart and the subframe is sorta floating? Im going to get under the car tomorrow and look, does anyone have any pictures or othe suggestions on what it could be? Im going to school on friday morning and I want to figure out what it is, im not takign the car now because of this problem but I would like to order the parts and try to have them for next weekend.

 

[sdpatt]

Check the more likely things: subframe bushings, sway bar links, tie rod ends, ball joints.

 

[wood_e]

* strut rod busing cups

 

[1993MTXSHO]

I dont think its the ball joints because it doesnt happen al lthe time and its a clunk, kinda lie ka big knock, im really thinking its the subframe or somehting big because its really easily felt through the floor. My endlinks dont have any play in them, at least my right one, I was moving it aroudn the other day and it seems ok, no ripped boot or anyhthing liek that eather. Ill have to look at that other stuff too. This might be stupid but, what is the tie rod and, or tie rod end, I have herd of it but im not sure what it is or where it is. A pic would be great.

 

[SWM]

Don't just assume your recall was done, pull up that carpet and make sure. I've been dealing with mine for 2 months trying to get my recall done. It turns out many of the early recalls only replaced the screws and not the washers/nuts etc..

 

[1993MTXSHO]

Don't just assume your recall was done, pull up that carpet and make sure. I've been dealing with mine for 2 months trying to get my recall done. It turns out many of the early recalls only replaced the screws and not the washers/nuts etc..

o ok, ill go do that now, how do I know if they only replaced the bolt and not the plate?

 

[1993MTXSHO]

I jsut pulled up the carpet and saw a 3inch wide plug and pulled it and saw the bolt so it was done. I also looked at al lmy subframe bushings and they look to be ok, not dry rottd or anyhting but at least 3 of them have a crack in the rubber sorta of liek its splitting. Is that normal? Its not big or all the way through.

 

[93rev2sev]

Try whacking the strut rod with a mallet to try to reproduce the sound. If you can hear ANY metallic noises, chances are that your strut rod receiver welds are cracking. Also use a tire iron to try prying down on the strut rod (and other components) to try to reproduce the sound or find worn out parts.

Also, try doing a "brake torque" (you can operate the gas with a 4-iron(or whatever) while you hold the brakes and release the clutch a little). Just a little brake torque...nothing dangerous needed and dont heat up your clutch too much.

Goto a large parking lot with speed bumps late at night when you have the place to yourself. Hit the speed bump under all different conditions (both wheels, one wheel at a time, While accelerating, braking, turning, etc..) You might get lucky and figure out excactly what conditions cause the clunk...Then you are on your way to diagnosing it.
DO NOT BRAKE HARD OVER SPEED BUMPS...you can do some real damage....keep it at "parking lot speed (10 MPH or less)". Don't forget to brake hard in reverse (no speed bump)...as this is seldom done in daily driving, it might make the clunk everytime.
Let us know if you are able to reproduce the sound on que and what conditions create it.