Thread: Clunking noise in front end when turning sharp corners

Hey guys, so this summer I've spent quite a bit of time on my '02 GP GTPs front end. The car is over 100,000 miles now and several things have needed to be replaced. On both sides, I have new wheel hub/bearings, CV joints, and strut/shock/strut mount assemblies. But there is still a front end noise that has got me absolutely stumped, and I would like to have the car completely fixed before the cold weather hits here.

The sound is a pop/clunk type which is heard when taking alternating corners sharply. What I mean by alternating is that when I turn sharp left I might heard it, but not when I turn left again until I turn right. It's like something is popping back and forth into place. Also, it only occurs when turning moderately sharply. The sound does not happen when I slow down significantly for a turn (it's not just from the wheel turning from what I can tell - it's related to forces from the car turning). I managed to get a video of the sound here, around the 00:04 second mark:

https://youtu.be/l3Ynn_r3oks

I've obviously inspected/tugged at most of the parts of the front end with no luck (tie rods etc.), but at this point anything could be suspect and I haven't been able to reproduce the sound when the car is not moving. Related: the car clunks badly when shifting into reverse, not sure if it is transmission or related to this - I will get a video of this up asap. Based on this, is there any possibility it is the transmission mounts? I don't know, I'm pretty frustrated that replacing the strut/shocks didn't aleviate this issue.

I'd check the trans and engine mounts, dogbone mounts up on the rad. support, check for broken front swaybar where the endlinks bolt to it as they are prone to cracking. Also might be time for new lower control arms as the bushings are likely worn out letting it clunk when they move. The good thing is new arms also come with a new ball joint, so it's just knock the old arm out with the old joint still attached and reinstall. No need to press any new bushings in or balljoint.

I had this noise when I first got my car in 2009, turned out to be loose rack and pinion mount bolts. To fix, Loosen both rack mount bolts, center rack in mount holes, re tighten rack mount bolts.

FordMan, thanks. I will inspect those areas. I'm a little fuzzy on the location of the transmission mounts and lower(?) engine mounts, do you know of any resources or videos for replacing those? My lower control arms are worn, they've been crowbar-ed out of the way a lot for other repairs, perhaps their time has come.

QUICKSILVER, I do remember reading that some clunks can be related to the steering system. I'll try to inspect the rack and pinion mount bolts. Again, I'll have to find them first :3

Here is a quick video of shifting the car into reverse. The first noise when I shift is obviously the doors locking, but listed for the rumbly sound and the loud clunk.

https://youtu.be/szKdJy7rj2k

Just wanted to give a quick update, I was finally able to reproduce the clunk by prying at the front control arm bushing with a crowbar. The bushing was obviously shot, similar to this photo:



So I ordered two new moog arms (with bushings) from RockAuto and replaced both on the driver and passenger sides. The car corners like new, and no more clunking!

Which moog arms did you order?

My 98 GT is in need of a suspension overhaul so the research begins. Control arms are definitely on the list. Just wondering if you went for the performance level. Thanks!

rikisrad...thanks for recommendation and the individual part numbers! The complete assemblies you listed are for 2005+ gp according to partsgeek so wouldn't work for me or ILMODC.