lately i have been hearing a thud/clunk sound everytime i accelerate from stop or am braking at low speeds (like while parking etc). The sound clearly comes from the front passenger side wheel. i can feel it slightly in the steering wheel as well.

I think it may be the control arm bushing. but i want to be sure before i take out the control arm if someone else has had a similar experience. i dont hear it while turning. but SOMETIMES also when going over a bump. not always.

could it be the tie rod ends? there is no grease leakage from either the axles or the CV joints and the boots are in good shape.

 

Lower ball joints. I replaced mine at 136000 miles because of the exact same symptom. Completely fixed the problem.

 

any special tools required? how long did it take u?

 

it's a suspension component of some sort. could be control arm bushings, could be ball joint, could be tie rod end. most likely it's a ball joint or control arm bushing. tear it apart and you'll find it. the bushings shouldn't have any play by hand.. if you pull on it and it moves, then it's worn out- replace it.

 

as for ball joints, there is a how-to on my page

also, just check to be sure that everything is tightened properly. I replaced my ball joints but a similar clunking noise was still there (didn't hurt to replace the old joints though). I ended up fixing it by just tightening one of the nuts on the control arm (big 22mm one facing front of car)

could be loose nut/bolt, bad bushings, bad ball joints, etc