Thread: Front end clunk problem

I have a problem with a loud clunk in the front of the car when going from park to reverse, it doesn't happen until I start backing up. I have talked to several mechanics and they thought it was ball joints or wheel barrings, so I replaced the lower control arms and the barrings, I saw that the anti sway bar bushings and end bushings looked worn, so I replaced them too, but still I am getting the clunk. I now think that it may be the body bushings or body mounts, but all I can find on line is the forward ones, does anyone know where I can find a full set of bushings for a good price, and any comments or theories about what else the noise could be are very welcome. This may not be the appropriate place to post this, but I can never figure out how to start a new thread. I should mention that the transmission was rebuilt a couple of years ago and the motor and trans mounts were replaced at the time, also I replaced the upper strut mounts with poly urethane, so that is not the issue. Thanks in advance.

Does your car have headears? They could be hitting the sway wher you go into reverse. I replaced everything just like you did and my clunk remained. Changing the sub frame mounts cured it. I got mine from gmpartsnow.com. I believer doorman makes them if your looking to save on them.

I just checked the motor for movement, nothing significant.
I parked in the garage for a level surface and could not get the noise to repeat, when I can hear and feel it the most is when going from park to reverse, then letting off the break and giving the gas a little tap to get it rolling. Usually the wheel is cut to the left or right, and I sometimes think when it is cut to the left I feel it and hear it more in the left and if to the right then the opposite side.
I checked the bushings of the lower control arms and they still look new and not cracked.
looked at the bolts and caps of the anti sway bar, no indication of movement.
Checked the torque of the wheel barrings, and checked for any lateral movement of the wheel while lifted for possible defective Chinese barring (I have trust issues) no movement.
Looked at the relatively new motor and trans mounts, no evidence of oil contamination.
The air box feels pretty secure, not really thinking that this could be the issue because the clunk feels metallic and is a little jarring.
I think that I might just buy the front body mounts and replace them, while I was under the car I gave them all a quarter turn, no change but they could be compressed or rotten. Hate to do it just for an experiment because each one is around 40 bucks.
Does anyone know if the front mounts are different from the rear (the rears looked bigger, but I could be mistaken) and where I can find the rears if they are different (all I found on the internet were labeled front)?

Could any one tell me it the front and rear body mount bushings are the same and if so who a good supplier is. and if not who where I can find the rears?
I have looked online and all I can find are ones labeled front.

They are different go on gmpartsnow or gmpartdirtect and look at the diagrams

Looks like gmpartsnow, wants 85.00 just for one side and you have to buy each individual component separately. I just purchased a complete set for the front for 65.25, from am-auto parts through ebay, which is 4.50 cheaper than going through am-auto parts own website. I just don't understand how a distributor can beat it's own price by going through an additional site. I will replace the fronts and hope that this solves the problem, then if I have to I will look for a 07 in the bone yard and see if they match. Better than paying 170.00 plus shipping and tax from G.M. Thanks to all who helped or tried to.

For those who like closure, it was the front body mounts. Spent part of today pulling off the front bumper to get to the mounts, jacked up the car near the doors, supported the front frame with the floor jack, pulled the bolt then lowered the floor jack to get the top part out. In the space between the frames I inserted a socket on the top of the bushing and then raised the jack up to put pressure on the socket and bushing, then used a blow torch to heat the cylinder inside the frame and the bushing slowly slid out. Used a piece of 2x4 and the floor jack to push the new one in, reassembled everything, took it for a test run and no clunk. Still want to replace the rears but not willing to pay 180.00.

I just did my rear subframe mounts. Got them at rock auto for $40 a piece

Originally Posted by Tombo

I just did my rear subframe mounts. Got them at rock auto for $40 a piece

I only see one option for subframe bushings. Are the front and rear different?

Dorman 924-004 is the rear, dorman 924-005 is the front. Autozone has the fronts, but not the rears. Rock auto has the rears, but not the fronts.

Is there a detailed write-up anywhere on replacing subframe bushings? Got a new motor mount, and if that doesn't fix my clunking next up is the subframe isolators. Can you do one at a time? Or do they have to be done in pairs?

Hi forum,
I have the same issue and was quoted it is the strut tower mounts but I will pursue this avenue. Replaced the tranny and engine mounts already. I am confused as to where the body mounts are located? Does anyone has a pic of the mounts on the car or how can I locate them myself?