Steering rack clunking?

[Debo250]

Hello all. I just made a donation to SHOForum for all the help I've been getting but I still need more My 97 SHO's making clunking noises I thought were struts or stabilizer link bushings but my shop disagrees. It's a slight clunking sound from the front end both sides that you hear from 5 mph & up over even the slightest of bumps in the pavement. Not affected by turning the wheel left or right. My shop is thinking the steering rack or tie rod ends. He also said nothing is loose enough to be a danger to drive but I don't want to ignore it. Please help. Thanks.


Duane.

P.S. This is cuttin' into my muffler $$$$$

 

[93rev2sev]

Hows it handle? I've seen broken sway bars (that break under the bushing) make hard to find noises.

 

[Debo250]

Far as i've noticed handling is fine but good tip. I'll check it out - thanks.

 

[SHOZ123]

Check the sway bar end links.

 

[stephen newberg]

I agree with Paul, it sounds like sway bar end links, which rather regularly wear out if you have been driving on less than smooth roads.

pax, smn

 

[V8 Jellybean]

How loud is it? Is it a 'creeking' or 'squeeking' at all? That's what it sounded like when one of my tie-rods wasn't up to par anymore.

 

[Debo250]

2 different noises actually. One is a loud popping noise turning at low speeds or while at a stop. Sometimes you hear it when rolling over bumps like the joint between my driveway and the asphalt road. Strut mounts/strut mount bearings or ball joints are the suspected cause. The other noise is a fairly low pitched clunking while rolling at any speed. It's more noticeable on bumpier roads but you hear it at any speed. Front hubs/bearings have already been replaced, SFB bolts tightened, A arm bolts tightened, sway bar bolts tightened, etc. I'm thinking either my struts or ball joints are causing the clunking. My plan is to save up for struts, mounts, bearing, & ball joints, maybe even aluminum SFB's and replace it all and pray.

Stainless Bullets on the way!!!!

 

[V8 Jellybean]

Nothing sounds like a tierod end, like one of my noises was. I have a feeling I need struts as well... hopefully no more than that, but we'll see down the road. I want to research a bit more before bringing it in. What size are the SFB bolts? I should look into that as well... along with A arm bolts.