Is it the front sway bar bushings?

[ohioan]

There is a clunking noise that sounds like it could be the shocks... Shocks were exspensive, but I replaced the rears and the noise stopped in the rear. I then heard it in the front. Replaced the front and the clunk is still there. I had the Koni yellows on the softest setting, and decided to adjust them to the stiffest setting and the noise almost went away for maybe a week.
Driving today, I can hear the clunk starting again.


Just replace the bushings and see? Or does anyone think it might be something else? (something easier?)

 

[khoney]

You too, huh? I rechecked the torque on my rears and that clunking has gone away, at least for now. Now I'm getting a clunking in the front. It seems like it only happens when I take off after coming to a quick stop, i.e. a rolling stop followed by a quick start doesn't do it. It's like something is shifting forward on the stop, then shifting back on the start. I'm also getting a rubbing sound from the right front area when coasting to a stop. Seems to quiet when braking. Tomorrow is 'back on the jackstands' day.

 

[khoney]

I also noticed when I check the rear torque specs that the rear sway bar was shifted to one side about 1/2 inch. I could easily pry it back to center just using one of my wrenches. I thought these things weren't supposed to shift like that? From looking at the pics in the service manual, it appears that the bushings are meant to hold it in place.

 

[ohioan]

I also noticed when I check the rear torque specs that the rear sway bar was shifted to one side about 1/2 inch. I could easily pry it back to center just using one of my wrenches. I thought these things weren't supposed to shift like that? From looking at the pics in the service manual, it appears that the bushings are meant to hold it in place.

They are supposed to hold it in place. Don't think there is supposed to be any movement at all on the bar like that...

So frustrating!

 

[khoney]

I can't say for sure, but it seemed like my lug nuts were looser than they should be on the right front. Weird, because that was one of the first things I checked when I was hearing odd sounds earlier. All of the other nuts/bolts from the front shock install are OK. One thing I did notice is that the right side drive shaft makes a LOUD clunk when I rotate the wheel back and forth. Seems to originate between the drive shaft and the joint shaft. This may be the clunk I'm hearing. Has anyone else noticed this sound when they've been wheels up?

I'm also going to try rotating the knuckle on the strut bearing to align with the one on the upper housing. We'll see...

 

[khoney]

So I repositioned the strut bearing housing nub as stated above, and loosened and retorqued the lower shock mount bolt with the vehicle on the ground. I didn't hear any more rubbing noise, and I only heard one clunk when getting onto the street from my driveway. Couldn't make any noises crop up otherwise. The drive home on Tuesday will be the main test - I always hear it in stop and go traffic.

Two more noises to go... I have a creak/squeak from the left rear wheel when I push down on the car. I can feel a vibration when I grab the brake caliper retaining spring, so I'm guessing it's the pad. I also get a rattling sound from the engine compartment (sounds like from the rear serpentine belt area) whenever the AC compressor kicks on. Any ideas on what to check there would be appreciated.

 

[soccerballz]

My clunking ended up being that the sway bar bushings were shot. They were the ones that came with the cobb sways as well. Got some polyurethane ones that are about to go in.

 

[khoney]

They are supposed to hold it in place. Don't think there is supposed to be any movement at all on the bar like that...

So frustrating!

I'd love to get a Progress RSB, but I just dropped 2 grand on some Gladiator products for organizing my garage, so I guess it'll have to wait a bit.

 

[ohioan]

Two more noises to go... I have a creak/squeak from the left rear wheel when I push down on the car. I can feel a vibration when I grab the brake caliper retaining spring, so I'm guessing it's the pad.

...I had a noise like that, but it was again only when I hit bumps. And if i've got my foot on the brake, it wouldn't make the noise. So I just took the caliper off, and the outer pad fell out. I then put the brake quiet on the pad and reassembled everything. Then pulled the e-brake when I was done lowering the car. I let it sit overnight, and sound was gone.

 

[phantomchick3]

My clunking ended up being that the sway bar bushings were shot. They were the ones that came with the cobb sways as well. Got some polyurethane ones that are about to go in.

This is the same problem I had, replaced the bushings but the clunking noise is still there. I'm so frustrated with it, brought it to the shop and now they are saying that my cobb sway bar is hitting the frame of my car every time I go over the slightest bump. Any idea if that's correct or if it might be something else?