Sometimes when turning, or going over small bumps I hear (and almost feel) a slight clunk from my front right side. It's like a subtle pop or clunk, like something is sliding in and out of place.

The first time I heard it, I pulled off the wheels and saw my balljoints had some play. Tightened them with a box wrench and it *seemed* ok. The next day on my drive home from work, the pop came back. Pulled the wheels/strut/axle and verified that the balljoint was tight, but the same effing noise is still there.

Pulled everything again today, put some threadlock on the balljoint nut, shook the wheel when it was off the ground, and I cannot find that noise. Only happens when driving, and seems somewhat related to steering, but also when going over small bumps...not big ones.

For the life of me, this problem is eating away at me and I cannot figure it out. Everything I can possibly think of is tight.

Do you guys have any ideas? As random or obscure as they may be, just throw them out there.

 

check the swaybar endlinks. if they are beginning to seize up you will get the clunk/pop and occasionally be able to feel it.

check them by:
tires off the car
car on jackstands
jack up the control arm as high as you can and then release it fairly quickly. Watch the endlink for binding or "pop".

 

This requires a lil more work (assuming u already checked the endlinks as stated above, and u checked the hub/bearings, swaybars, etc): upper strut mount. There's a rubber isolator that can wear out.

Jae

 

As of about 1.5 months ago, I've got all new calipers, rotors, pads, sway bar endlinks, strut mounting hardware, control arms and ES bushings, stainless brake lines. Pretty much did a full revamp of the front end....so any of the items that "wear out" I don't think is the issue.

I drove about 130 miles round trip yesterday, here's some more observations.
It seems to pop/clunk when turning. Seems more prominent when braking and turning.

Sometimes it creaks/squeaks, sometimes it groans...both of these usually occur when driving straight, under 40mph, going over bumps. The sound is muffled, sort of like a blown strut, when driving straight. When turning is when it's a pop/clunk

Speeds of 40mph and over, the noise does not occur, even if going over bumps. Wouldn't know about turning because I don't take turns going over 40mph, lol.

Josh, I did actually jack up the control arm. I didn't go THAT high, but when I released it, no noises. I'll go higher next time. I also shook the wheel and nothing.

Any other ideas?

 

Have you noticed any difference in the brake pedal travel distance?
Jae

 

I'm not sure what your question is asking. After the brake replacement or since this issue started?

 

your front strut ball joints if they are still stock check those

 

Ball joints were replaced with everything else.

 

If your hub/bearing's on the way out, the rotor will wobble, pushing the brake pads farther from rotor. When it comes time to brake, the brake pads gotta travel farther to clamp the wobbling rotor, hence the increased pedal travel. That was a tell-tale sign of my hub/bearing dieing, and it's 1 thing that you have not mentioned checking in the above posts.

I also had to replace my upper strut mounts that exibited similar symptoms as you've observed. I figured that one out by giggling the strut forcefully and having someone feel the top-nut-gap for movement. This's another part you haven't mentioned checking/replacing.

Also, check here for more ideas: http://www.autozone.com/servlet/UiBr...arameters=info

Jae

 

Most likely, irish is right on target here. I had this same problem and it was the swaybar endlinks. I think this is a common thing for the 5th gen.

 

Not another one! Seems like there are alot of folks having this problem, myself included. Just had my brakes/pads replaced and still having the problem. May be an axle. I take my car into the dealership a second time to diagnose the problem.

 

Wheel bearings were done with the rest of the revamp. Hubs were OK at that point. This literally feels like something is loose. Gonna get the car on ramps tomorrow and investigate, it seems like its towards the middle of the car, like under the passenger footwell. Inner tie rods? I shall keep you posted.

 

Got tired of sounding like chitty-chitty bang bang whenever I drove so ran the car up on some ramps and had my mom (lol) push down on the passenger fender to replicate the noise as I was under there with a flashlight (early darkness FTL)

verdict.........


MF'in sway bar end link! Passenger side control arm nut was loose. Hit it (and the other 3 of them) with about 100psi and we were good to go!


Thanks all for your help. Irish, I bow to you