Problem with struts?

[jmac2215]

Hi, I am wondering why my car clunks when I go over bumps with three or four people in the car, the sound comes from the back of the car. A friend told me I may need new struts? I am not that great with cars, so go easy but please help, I love my car!

Everything is stock basically besides for 18 inch rims.

 

[Tzar177]

What size tires do you have? You may be rubbing the tires inside the fenders with that many people in the car. You may also be experiencing the "clunk" or "klunk". The stock swaybar bushings are poorly designed. They are mounted too far towards the middle, thus putting extra stress on the outsides of the swaybar, prematurely wearing the bushings out. The swaybar then rattles and "clunks" when going over bumps.

 

[jmac2215]

Thanks for your interest!

--I had the sway bar bushing replaced a couple weeks ago but the problem persists, Although it may have improved a little, it definitely still clunks over bumps. Do you know what else it could be? My tires do rub with the fenders, as I can see that in the tires. I was told this by the previous owner, but he said it won't really affect anything or isn't enough to affect anything. The tire size is 215/35/18. My main concern is the "thud" or "clunk" I hear over bumps. when I go around corners with a lot of weight (fat people) in the back, there is also a thudding (not just one "thud" but a repetitive thud thud thud) sometimes.

Please help!

 

[tweety2300]

The long thudding is probly tires rubbing but have your rear endlinks checked out or replaced mine quit clunking when it broke

 

[Tzar177]

What is the offset of your 18" wheels? Did you grease the new bushings? What kind of grease? There was some forum members that made batches of anti-clunk brackets that relocate the bushings to the outside part of the swaybar that cured the dreaded clunk. They come up for sale every now n then. I would be on the lookout for one of those kits. They are a must have if this bothers you that much

 

[Droopy]

I've replaced the endlinks and installed the axr clunk fix and I still hear it... I'm guessing I need new struts...

 

[jmac2215]

I am not sure what the offset of my wheels are, I have a separate set of winter tires, that are slightly smaller and it still clunks.
So rear end links, replacing them could or could not solve the problem? and otherwise it is probably the struts?
--Is the clunk just a noise or is it bad for the car, how important is it for me to fix this/try not to have it happen (by allowing only 2 people in the car).

 

[tweety2300]

It won't hurt it any as I said mine did it till the end link broke. Now if it stops look under it make sure nothing is broken like an end link. My brothers cobalt clunks due to a strut and it sounds exactly the same endlinks are 50 bucks each from mazda last I checked get those and if that doesn't fix it its the struts

 

[mp3 dan]

im having the same issue but no fat people just subs in the trunk, but when i hit a bump wrong not only does it "cluck" it kicks the back end out a bit. that would be struts correct?


edit: and im not trying to steal your post lol sorry

 

[jmac2215]

No it's fine, any info helps.

So is there any way to tell if it is strut or endlink? ...if the end links are in tact, it is probably the strut? Can a car shop mechanic tell diagnosis it?

 

[mp3 dan]

i had a mechanic take mine for a drive and he said struts but idk how he knew about my specific model of car or if he knew about the whole endlink thing

 

[boost is gr8]

jmac dont replace ur struts. i bought mine from the dealership and noticed the clunking so i made the dealership replace my rear struts before i bought the car. with brand new rear struts i still get the clunk. ive read up on it and i think Tzarr177 was on to something. it may not be the bushings though but it does have to do with the rear sway bar. the rear sway bar needs an extra washer or 2 or 3 or 4, lol i havnt gotten around to fixing mine yet but yes i have the continuess clunk too.

 

[Tzar177]

No it's fine, any info helps.

So is there any way to tell if it is strut or endlink? ...if the end links are in tact, it is probably the strut? Can a car shop mechanic tell diagnosis it?

Are you on stock struts or are you lowered any?

 

[CulRidr]

Could be the strut mounts as well. Have someone drive your car after having removed the parcel shelf and look at the top of the struts and see if they blow through or not. You'll know what I mean when you see it.

 

[jmac2215]

I am on the stock struts sir.