front clunk? could be the end links?

[jeremy irons]

So when i do a slow sharp turn when parking, or if i let the car's weight shift from front to back at low speeds, I hear and feel a loud "clunk" from the front end. I feel it in the steering wheel and clutch.

its definitely not from the rear. I know all about that clunk.

and it's not in time with the rotation of the axles, so I don't think it's the CVs.

the front swaybar bushings are quite new (6 months)

the last time I had worn end links in the front, it was much more of a rattle that happened as I was driving than a "clunk"

ideas?

thanks!

 

[bwalt]

Have you jacked the front of the car up to see if the suspension is tight? Front endlinks usually will make a rattling sound, you are right there.

 

[jeremy irons]

I did have it up on a lift for about 5 minutes to have a mechanic check if there was anything obvious or serious, but he didn't see anything.

 

[dbernard]

I would take a look at your motor mounts. Possibly the rear one.

 

[jeremy irons]

It was just replaced too. Hmm. I wonder if they did a bad job torquing it down?

 

[jdwk]

Not likely. There are 3 bolts that hold the mount to the chassis. They would have had to cross thread all three or they would all have to come loose or break. The other side is just held in a with a single long bolt and it wouldn't matter if it was tight or not unless it fell out and you'd have a major problem.

The sway bar will clunk in the front just like the rear when the bushings are worn. I've had a set go on me within a few weeks due to lowering the car. I had to find longer endlinks. Since then, my bushings have been fine.

Check the other motor mounts. My passenger side was completely torn and there was a very obvious and very different type of clunk while it was broken.

I currently have a mysterious pop as I leave my driveway in the morning. I replaced the upper strut mounts and bearings and it seemed to quiet down, but it is definitely still there. I am leaning towards control arm ball joint now, and the new rubber in the mounts just softened the impact. The strut mounts and bearings were fairly cheap, but entire control arms are a much pricier experiment.

 

[Dr0]

If you think its a ball joint lift the tire a few inches off the ground and try wiggling the tire at 12 and 6 o'clock position, while your at it set the front on stands and put a pry bar under the tire and gentle pry up a few times while checking various suspension components it should shed some light on your issue

 

[RicoP5]

^ bingo. ball joints. i had same prob. both of my control arms had to be replaced. that fixed the annoying clunk noise that made me wanna burn the car lol. also i took the chance and replaced the sway bar bushings too

 

[exalted_one]

Mine will make a LOUD clunk/pop when I am returning the wheel to center after having it fully turned to the right (I believe) but it only happens once every blue moon so I haven't bothered dealing with it

 

[RicoP5]

also check your tie rods. i had one snap on me. thank god it happened as i parked i believe or while reversing. if not it would of not been pretty while driving going 60 mph on the highway

 

[Dr0]

Oh ya totally forgot that (which is sad bc I do it every day lol) check your tie rods with the wiggle test at 3 and 9 o'clock, or get on your back and have someone move the wheel back and forth while you look for freely in the tie rods(inner and outer)

 

[RicoP5]

 

[jowens727]

Same symptoms as OP... ever find out what it is?

 

[CTt3P5]

Same symptoms as OP... ever find out what it is?

Not sure how the OP may have resolved it but check your PS motor mount. For the last couple of months my P5 was driving me crazy with clunking from the front end. Had three shops take a look at the suspension and they could find nothing loose/bad. In November I failed inspection for the front and PS mounts. Replaced them on Saturday and the noise is gone.

 

[jowens727]

Well I don't think it's the mounts themselves... I have replaced all 4 with AWR solid mounts only about 6 months ago... the only one im worried about it the rear one because the bolts were tough to get back on.. hoping they didnt cross thread or something.. but they dont look like they have stripped so i dont know if that could be it or not... Im considering taking the hood off and trying to get a camera on the suspect areas to check for play... cant make the noise if not moving.... which is making me think CV Shaft

 

[CTt3P5]

I see, scratch the mounts then. lol Possibly the CV then, GL with diagnosing.