Mysterious clunking sound and it's pi$$ing me off

**Tombo** · 11-23-2015

As the title says I have a clunking noise that's aggravating me on my 04 Grand Prix. Every time I hit a bump (well most of the time really) there's a pretty pronounced clunk in the front end. I thought it was the control arm bushings, but nope (though the old control arms had pretty worn bushings in them). So then i did the sway bar ends, nope. So then I thought maybe it was the subframe bushings, again, nope (and again old ones were pretty bad). Only thing I can think of it might be is the upper strut mounts, but I don't want to keep throwing money/parts at this as eventually I'm going to want to spend money on something BESIDES repairing my car. Any help is greatly appreciated.

**dezebe1** · 11-23-2015

Check your steering gear bushing, try putting a pry bar in between the frame and rack to see if the bushing on the pasanger side is making the noise, it can be replaced and is a split design

**stocker** · 11-23-2015

Find your favorite bump and try lightly applying the brakes. If it goes away, it could be your pads hopping around in the caliper.

I had this happening in my 2008 and it was EXTREMELY annoying!

**Tombo** · 11-23-2015

It's not the brakes. Tried hitting the brakes on about 30 bumps on the drive home from work and the sound never changed. Though I'm sure the traffic behind me was thoroughly confused, lol. I'll have to check the rack bushings this weekend. I've been working too much and it's dark by the time I get off otherwise I'd do it when I got home. Thanks for the suggestions.

**stocker** · 11-24-2015

Dang, thought maybe it could be an easy fix for you. One other easy thing to check is the emergency brake brake cable housing where it runs to the back calipers. Mine was bouncing around hitting one of the suspension linkages and made a horrendous rattle - zip tied it to something. Yours is more of a clunk but it might be worth checking.

Good Luck.

**Tombo** · 11-24-2015

Nah, it's definitely in the front end somewhere. That and it's a pretty loud clunk.

**Tombo** · 11-24-2015

So, I've been paying closer attention to the noise and when it happens. Doesn't happen when I hit a straight line bump with both tires at the same time. Only happens when one side hits something but the other doesn't. So while I was getting fuel tonight I cranked the wheel to one side and looked at some things. I paid a buddy of mine to do the sway bar links after I did the control arms and apparently he didn't do the driver's side. Called him and his dumba$$ response was "I thought you just wanted the pass side done." I have dumb friends... So I just ordered another link (moog) set (he used a cheapo part too) and I'm doing them myself this time around. This is why I don't pay anyone to work on my stuff. Lesson learned...again.

**wowitsfast** · 11-24-2015

still could be a strut. try popping the hood and pushing the tire back and forth. if you can see the mount move in the engine bay then its bad. i had a similar clunk and that was the problem

**Travisgt2** · 11-24-2015

I have an 04 with a clunk in the rear only happens when i hit bump on one side ive replaced everything still clunks solution music louder lol

**Tombo** · 11-25-2015

Originally Posted by wowitsfast

still could be a strut. try popping the hood and pushing the tire back and forth. if you can see the mount move in the engine bay then its bad. i had a similar clunk and that was the problem

Really? Yeah, both of them move around when you move that wheel.