Suspension Clunk While Turning (97 Gt)

[bryce9746]

Here goes my first post on here!

I've got a clunk in my front end while I'm turning. I can feel it in the floor, in the pedals, and in the steering wheel. I have tried everything in the world to remedy this situation.

I've replaced:

Tie -rod ends,
Ball joints,
Front Struts,
Springs,
Steering rack mount pins,
Steering rack bushings,

The only thing I haven't replaced is the front sway bar links and bushings (only because they are in really good shape and that thing is sturdier than a rock)

& I haven't replaced the wheel hubs because they are in solid shape too (inspected them while replacing everything else)

When it clunks:
-while going slow or fast
-while turning modestly or sharply
-while going over bumps
-while on smooth pavement
-when going over speed bumps as well]

Basically, it just clunks all the dang time and I have no idea where the problem could be. So pretty please, any help is greatly appreciated.

 

[jeno_labanca]

When you did springs did you replace the spring isolators if there worn they will clunk hence kinda like metal on metal

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[jeno_labanca]

Also check your strut mounts there probably bad

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[ME97GT]

Do you have c/c plates? If so, maybe the bearing in those went bad? Otherwise upper strut bushing could be bad.

 

[bryce9746]

When replacing the struts, the mounts seemed fine ( I'm unsure how you would check if they are bad or not.) and the bushings were in good shape too, not dry or cracked, and no I don't have CC plates

Plus, if it was something with the struts, I don't think it would cause the clunk to be felt in the pedals or the floor.

Also, if it were something with the strut setup, I would probably feel it or hear while driving straight as well? But like I said originally, it only happens while turning.

 

[jeno_labanca]

If your strut bearings bushings are bad you will here it while turning not while going straight and you can't tell there bad till you remove them

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[bryce9746]

I'm not saying that isn't the problem but when I changed the shocks/struts I inspected all the mounting hardware. You're talking about the giant rubber bushing in the strut mount correct?

 

[jeno_labanca]

Yes you have to take them out to see if there bad you can't tell from the outside

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[bryce9746]

Right, obviously. What I'm saying is that I checked them when I replaced the struts. They didn't seem noticeably worn (i.e. cracked, dry, etc)

 

[jeno_labanca]

Well i dunno then because what your symptoms are is exactly what bad strut mounts do there cheap anyway I would of replaced them anyway during strut install along with new spring isolators

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[Ruffellbaker]

Have you checked your steering shaft?


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[ME97GT]

I don't want to come across as a jerk, just trying to help but are the bushings in the right way? Narrower end should face up. Also isn't there a metal sleeve inside the bushing or is that only for the prothane ones. If so, could be moving inside?

 

[bryce9746]

Have you checked your steering shaft?


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I've looked at it and what I've seen from pictures, everything looks fine. I wouldn't even know what to check for?

 

[bryce9746]

I don't want to come across as a jerk, just trying to help but are the bushings in the right way? Narrower end should face up. Also isn't there a metal sleeve inside the bushing or is that only for the prothane ones. If so, could be moving inside?

I'm almost positive that they're in correctly and no, they don't have the metal sleeve. I'm just not sure if it is related to the strut/strut mounts/strut system because why would I feel the clunk in the pedals? or the steering wheel? I understand that they're connected to the control arms (essentially) and the control arms are connected to the tie rods which connect to the steering rack etc etc. But if a clunk were to happen, the jolt it caused would be diluted along that whole path and wouldn't feel as strong as it currently does. I Honestly think it could be a steering thing but I dont know what else to check or what I can replace myself.

 

[Ruffellbaker]

I've looked at it and what I've seen from pictures, everything looks fine. I wouldn't even know what to check for?

Have someone turn the wheel while you have your hand on the shaft. Usually the small u joints in the shaft will bind up and ull feel the pop.


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[sigmanx]

Maybe a control arm bushing since you tried everything else other than that and the steering shaft.

 

[ME97GT]

I just checked my old parts pile and my old upper strut bushings have a metal sleeve for the threaded end of the strut to go through. I had poly ones that had the same thing. I also checked autozones website and they show duralast rubber replacements with the same sleeve.

 

[bigc2330]

i have a 2000GT that had similar symptoms as yours and after chasing it around, i found the tabs holding the metal fuel line under the vehicle had broken and every time that i made a left turn it would slap against the driveshaft. before i found that, i thought the noise was coming from the passanger front. doesnt hurt to check.

 

[TROY7]

At the end of the swaybar ( front or rear ) there is a link that ties them to the control arm . it's not usually the rubber bushing that is bad , its the other end that acts and looks like a small ball joint.you will have to remove the joint from the control arm to find out if that ball joint is worn and sloppy or not. I have seen that joint worn out on a 2012 car . It's easy to check and the new swaybar link is only about $25