davis449

Like Sarah, I'm having that clunking noise coming from up front on my '93 SE. The weird thing is about three weeks ago I had the struts replaced. Any Ideas?

Killermove

I odn't know what it is, but I'm intrigued. About 2 weeks ago I slid into a curb and had to replace the front right control arm, strut mount, and end link fastner. The strut is also bent -- but Kaleb and I are putting Tokikos on both my fronts tonight -- so for now, I'm riding on a *slightly* bent strut.

BUT, I also noticed a "clunk" now over msall bumps/ripples in thepavement. This was not there before I got all this fixed. It will be interesting to see what KAleb and I find tonight. I breifly checked underneath and everything loks fine (wheel is on tight, FSTB is secure, endlink fastner is tight, nothing blatently wrong with strut, etc).

Hmmmm...

Ryan
ryan@fobart.net

Sarah99GXE

My mechanic told me that my struts weren't too bad (but I am going to replace them before they are completely shot) but he said the clunking noise was from the pad in my strut housing being shot.

Killermove

brubenstein

The pad that goes between the top strut mount and the body is very thin. I think that if it were bad it would only cause a squeak, not a clunk, if the strut mount nuts are tight. If everything is tightened down, I would suspect the bearing in the top strut mount. Remember that the strut rotates (on this bearing, which supports the weight of the car) when you steer. If I had any noise from the front end, I would replace these bearings when replacing struts, and/or, springs.

thebull

ok, if you just replaced them there is a good chance this could be the problem. it happened to me with the rear. the upper strut mounts have to be aligned a specific way. you need to have a manual to see what im talking about. this is not the case for many cars, so thats why it may go undetected. on mine the noise was a loud clunking noise that sounded as though the springs were popping in and out of the spring seat. i think this is actually what was happening. you my want to take a look at this even though it is a pain in the *** to do.

thebull

actually im not positive it is the same for the front. i gotta look in my manual that is at home.

Killermove

with Tokiko Blues...I didn't hear any clunking afterwards last night. I'll keep an ear out -- I wasn't listening too closely last night.

Hopefully, this took care of it.

Ryan
ryan@fobart.net

davis449

All of your replies have helped me a lot, I'm inclined to believe that the pad or the bearing is at fault here. Oh well, i am taking it to the shop tomorrow and we will see what the problem is. I will post the mechanics' replies. Thanks for the support!

Sarah99GXE

well I just ordered my upper insulators, bump stops & lower spring seats from Courtesy. I will be ordering the Struts & Strut mounts from Tirerack.com. As soon as I get all this stuff replaced I will let you guys know how it works out as well.

davis449

I just got my car back from the shop, they have a part on order, they said it was the right front strut mount that was making the thudding noise. I will have it replaced by Thurs. probably. Then we will see if that fixes the problem.