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How loose is too Loose??
Topic Started: Sep 12 2016, 05:39 PM (617 Views)
702852


91 3/5 with 13'' wheels and tires. Been hearing a clunking sound from front end when going over bumps in the road. The car steers straight even at 80mph with no steering wheel shake.

Wanted to know if I should swap tie rods or what to start with? I'm suspension illiterate, but am good at instructions.
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solerpower
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You can literally shake in and out on the tire even when it is on the ground to check and see if the tie rods need replacing. However, that being said a clunk sound is more likely another culprit. Strut mounts, loose hub to suspension bolt, worn down control arms ends or bushings, bad sway bar link ends or bushings (someone might have added them, other wise you don't have them), worn out cv axles, loose brake calipers. If it is only when going over a bump it is not likely to be cv axles. Try taking a sound clip, or having someone else take a test drive.
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Car Nut
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If it's tie rods, you'll normally feel it in the steering wheel, when hitting those bumps. A common issue is the upper strut mount. You'll feel /hear it going over bumps, but not feel it in the steering wheel, normally.
Hopefully it's not your frame horns. Big issue, if they are bad.
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suzukitom
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Tom

Though not as common.. a worn or loose wheel bearing can also cause a clunk..
Edited by suzukitom, Sep 12 2016, 09:45 PM.
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Turbo Dan-O
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Obsessive Car Detailer

Something to check also, is making sure the 19mm nuts holding the front control arms on are tight with no slack. ;)

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Edited by Turbo Dan-O, Sep 13 2016, 07:46 PM.
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702852


Thanks all. I'll check these
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dayle1960
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Fastest Hampster EVER

Yea, chasing down those kinds of noises sucks. I've been there and done that and it is not fun to begin replacing parts only to find the clunk still remains. Just know that no matter what you "think" might be the problem, it is always something else you've never considered. How about a rubbing muffler because it came loose due to a rubber mount worn away. Things like that just annoy the dog piss out of me.

But to be sure, it does sound like some sort of steering linkage problem.

BTW, did you recently replace/work on the front brakes? Sometimes if you leave a shim out then the clunking noise appears.
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smysmbrg
SteveO

Shake the wheel side to side while an assistant looks at the balljoint. If it moves at all its no good. Very common problem on the metro due to the design. The joint takes a lot of abuse.
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MarkyMayhem


Just had the same issue. I had 2 bad tie rod ends, which wore out and end link pretty bad. New tie rod ends fixed the clunk but my drivers side sway bar link was the issue.
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