Front end clunk/click.

**silvermistgt2002** · 03-10-2014

Seems to be a common problem judging by some of the other posts I have read. 2 problems currently with this car.

1. Clunk in front end while traveling at speeds of 15-40 mph when I hit bumps in the road. It has been getting worse over the last 6 months. I replaced the strut, mount and all that about 4 months ago due to bad struts, and thinking that might have been the problem. Did not fix the issue. also replaced the sway bar end links. Other thoughts at this point are either the control arms, or sway bar bushings.

2. Click in the front of vehicle, and under the driver side dash. this DOES NOT happen when I am driving, only when stopped and the wheel is moved back and forth quickly. I can feel it in my feet, and in the wheel. It did have a very slight almost not noticeable click when I bought the car in 2011 but it also has gotten worse. Both front out tie rods are new, now play in anything when I checked the inner tie rods. My thoughts at this point are the steering shaft, or steering rack bushing. I don't think its the rack because the steering is still perfect with no dead spots, or hard to turn spots.

Thoughts?

**QUICKSILVER462** · 03-10-2014

For # 2 check you rack mounting bolts, make sure they are tight.

**silvermistgt2002** · 03-10-2014

Originally Posted by QUICKSILVER462

For # 2 check you rack mounting bolts, make sure they are tight.

Is is it common for them to come loose?

**Scottydoggs** · 03-10-2014

the main sway bar bushings go bad. the ends of the sway crack and clink. lca's will clunk.

#2 you feel this clicking only when you first start the car and drive off? if so it normal.

**silvermistgt2002** · 03-10-2014

Originally Posted by Scottydoggs

the main sway bar bushings go bad. the ends of the sway crack and clink. lca's will clunk.

#2 you feel this clicking only when you first start the car and drive off? if so it normal.

No. When driving there is no click. Only when car is running, in park, and the wheel is wiggled quickly. Doesn't matter if it's freshly started or been running for hours.

**Scottydoggs** · 03-10-2014

could be the strut mounts. pop the hood then crank the wheel back and fourth to replicate the sound, watch the center round part of the strut mount with the nut in the middle, if the center is moving it could be your clunk.

**silvermistgt2002** · 03-10-2014

Originally Posted by Scottydoggs

could be the strut mounts. pop the hood then crank the wheel back and fourth to replicate the sound, watch the center round part of the strut mount with the nut in the middle, if the center is moving it could be your clunk.

Struts are new and so are the mounts. It made the noise before struts too so I think it's probably the control arms. The clunk only occurs when I'm driving between 15-40 mph. When I'm not moving it's only the slight click in the steering column

**Scottydoggs** · 03-10-2014

it could be the ball joints. or the lca bushings.

or even a inner tie rod.

**osiris94ej** · 03-10-2014

Steering intermediate shaft sounds like the parked popping sound. Could also be associated the other too. Gm had a few car lines with this type issue.

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**SwishGTP** · 03-10-2014

Had a popping in my front passenger wheel...it did it whenever the wheel and suspension would flex. It was the ballpoint...alost had the control arm replacedreplaced

**stocker** · 03-11-2014

Originally Posted by silvermistgt2002

Seems to be a common problem judging by some of the other posts I have read. 2 problems currently with this car.

1. Clunk in front end while traveling at speeds of 15-40 mph when I hit bumps in the road. It has been getting worse over the last 6 months. I replaced the strut, mount and all that about 4 months ago due to bad struts, and thinking that might have been the problem. Did not fix the issue. also replaced the sway bar end links. Other thoughts at this point are either the control arms, or sway bar bushings.

2. Click in the front of vehicle, and under the driver side dash. this DOES NOT happen when I am driving, only when stopped and the wheel is moved back and forth quickly. I can feel it in my feet, and in the wheel. It did have a very slight almost not noticeable click when I bought the car in 2011 but it also has gotten worse. Both front out tie rods are new, now play in anything when I checked the inner tie rods. My thoughts at this point are the steering shaft, or steering rack bushing. I don't think its the rack because the steering is still perfect with no dead spots, or hard to turn spots.

Thoughts?

I have both of these noises on my car and I haven't been able to fix them yet.

#1 I think my version of your problem may be my brake pads jumping around in the caliper. Try applying the brakes lightly and hitting your favorite bump; did the noise go away? It did for me! Now you just have to learn to ride your brakes under 40 mph.

#2 I found the exact same issue with my car last year. Since it only does it when shimmying at stop condition, I stopped shimmying the wheel while stopped (it still annoys me though)! In all seriousness, it sounds like you've replaced or checked a lot of the usual suspects and some of the things I thought about replacing.

I'm very curious to know what you are able to find on either of these issues. Keep us informed of any progress!

**silvermistgt2002** · 03-11-2014

I will keep you posted. I think I am going to do the Control arms, sway bar bushings, and steering shaft. So hopefully that will take care of the problem.

**stocker** · 03-11-2014

One other thing, I think last year I applied a bit of extra silicone based lube to the backs and ends of the pads where they slide back and forth in the caliper. If I remember correctly, they quieted down for a bit. Good luck on the replacements.

**Scottydoggs** · 03-11-2014

Originally Posted by silvermistgt2002

I will keep you posted. I think I am going to do the Control arms, sway bar bushings, and steering shaft. So hopefully that will take care of the problem.

save the intermediate shaft for last. it sucks to swap.

**silvermistgt2002** · 03-11-2014

Any tips to keep every thing aligned good enough to drive after I'm done?

**Scottydoggs** · 03-11-2014

when you change the lca's you'll need an alignment right afterwards so plan your repairs around getting to a shop asap.

sometimes the wheel will be straight, other times it will be off a little bit to one side. it wont be all that far out of alignment tho.

the sway bar has zero to do with your alignment, so its r & r part.

**silvermistgt2002** · 03-11-2014

Yea I know I'm just saying keeping it straight enough to drive to the shop lol

**Scottydoggs** · 03-11-2014

not much you can do with lower control arms, they are what they are when you bolt them in. new parts always throw the alignment off some.

tie rod ends tho. leave the old lock nut in place, then remove the old tie rod, then install the new tie rod right up to the old locking nut. thats as close as your ever gonna get with tie rods.

**silvermistgt2002** · 03-11-2014

Originally Posted by Scottydoggs

not much you can do with lower control arms, they are what they are when you bolt them in. new parts always throw the alignment off some.

tie rod ends tho. leave the old lock nut in place, then remove the old tie rod, then install the new tie rod right up to the old locking nut. thats as close as your ever gonna get with tie rods.

Im not doing tie rods. I just replaced them a year ago.