Thread: Moog front suspension issue. (User error...probably me)

So when I make slow turns my newly installed front suspension makes a clunking noise. I tightened everything by hand with a regular ratchets. I think the clunking noise may be because the strut tower bolts aren’t tight enough. I picked up a torque wrench the other day. Does anybody know roughly how tight they should be? I threw the boxes and manuals away a couple weeks ago and I can’t find a pdf of a manual online for them.

Just found they should be tightened to 24lbs each. I just tightened them to 75lbs. So anybody know why it would clunk? I also noticed when I go over one of those wide speed bumps, when the suspension compresses it makes a clunk noise. It doesn’t sound like a spring is binding either...��

Originally Posted by KleinD

I've been dealing with a lot of front-end clunking myself. Over this past summer I replaced a bunch of my front end stuff - suspension, CV joints, wheel hubs, and control arms. I still have a clunk when cornering after doing my control arms, I'm kind of stumped. You can check out my thread here: http://www.grandprixforums.net/threa...-sharp-corners maybe something there will help.

I have replaced the driver side control arm, sway bar end link, and inner and outer tie rod. The passenger side I haven’t touched yet. But it just feels like it’s the actual strut/spring assembly itself because it feels like it does the same thing on both sides at the same time when turning the wheel.

"...it feels like it does the same thingon both sidesat the same timewhen turning the wheel."

You may want to check the steering rack bolts.
What else is connected to both wheels at the same time other than the steering rack.

Originally Posted by LEVELX

"...it feels like it does the same thingon both sidesat the same timewhen turning the wheel."

You may want to check the steering rack bolts.
What else is connected to both wheels at the same time other than the steering rack.

The front sway bar. If you tightened the endlinks while it was in the air, it's way too tight and could possibly be hitting the control arm or something else.

Originally Posted by industrialfish

The front sway bar. If you tightened the endlinks while it was in the air, it's way too tight and could possibly be hitting the control arm or something else.

DOOOOH!
Didn't even think of that!
That's like your Queen getting taken by a pawn in a game of chess.
Didn't see that coming! LOL!!!

Originally Posted by industrialfish

The front sway bar. If you tightened the endlinks while it was in the air, it's way too tight and could possibly be hitting the control arm or something else.

It kinda made a clunking noise when I went over a wide speed bump when the suspension compressed though. The lower pinch bolts were tighten with a impact gun, so I'm sure those aren't loose. The top 3 on each tower were tightened to 75lbs. It's just feels like loose bolts somewhere on the strut assembly. But I will check the rack bolts and sway bar endlinks while the car is on the ground.

There is very little play in the steering but that was like that before I replaced all the suspension and that didn't have a clunking noise then.

Originally Posted by wstefan20

Right there with you on this one. Replaced almost everything. Struts are next for me, then probably poly bushings all round. Tried the steering shaft and that was a bust. I don't feel it in the wheel, just the pedal/body of the car. More of like a pop at acceleration and braking. Let me know if you find anything and I'll keep you posted on mine! haha

Sure thing, will do.

if you feel this on the floor check your sub frame bolts, might be loose or the bolt might be rusted off or to the point its loose.

Originally Posted by Scottydoggs

if you feel this on the floor check your sub frame bolts, might be loose or the bolt might be rusted off or to the point its loose.

To be honest it sounds like it comes from a little higher up than at the steering knuckle level. That's why I thought maybe it's those 3 bolts on the strut tower. But there's a possibility that it's something down low and resonating through and making it sound like it's coming from up top.

same deal, after tranny swap i had a clunk in the floor, one sub frame bolt took another turn and a half, no more clunk. it was only when giving it gas and hard braking.