Strange 'Rattle-CLUNK"

[sylvanlights]

My 2002 Protege5 seems to have developed a concerning "rattle-CLUNK" noise near the front driver's side.

It only seems to happen under acceleration on uneven surfaces. Only noticable at low speeds, but the road-noise may just be covering it up at higher speeds. Has anyone heard of this? Am I correct to suspect the suspension? Everything APPEARS normal, but it's hard to see anything in there without tearing it apart ...

Any input is welcome.

-=D

 

[xelderx]

My 2002 Protege5 seems to have developed a concerning "rattle-CLUNK" noise near the front driver's side.

It only seems to happen under acceleration on uneven surfaces. Only noticable at low speeds, but the road-noise may just be covering it up at higher speeds. Has anyone heard of this? Am I correct to suspect the suspension? Everything APPEARS normal, but it's hard to see anything in there without tearing it apart ...

Any input is welcome.

-=D

Colder weather makes my front swaybar bushings creak a little.

 

[sylvanlights]

Colder weather makes my front swaybar bushings creak a little.

There is a bit of a creak from the swaybar for sure, but this really sounds more like a clunk. Almost as though the shock is being pushed OUT too far and topping out. Since it only happens at slower speeds and under acceleration, there would be less load on the front wheels ... Could this even be possible?

-=D

 

[Blankman]

I had a clicking/"clunk" noise happening under acceleration on the drivers side. Turned out it was a loose axle nut. It made the noise when I first took off, and if I feathered the throttle. Happy hunting... Hope you find it quick.

 

[Protege52003]

My P5 is had lots of creeks/clunks and misc noises! she is running strong though......let us know what it is when you find it.

-R

 

[dsm_rally]

I had something that sounds similiar and it turned out to be the front driver's side swaybar end link that had broken.

 

[sylvanlights]

I had a clicking/"clunk" noise happening under acceleration on the drivers side. Turned out it was a loose axle nut. It made the noise when I first took off, and if I feathered the throttle. Happy hunting... Hope you find it quick.

Sounds quite similar, I will look into that! Thanks for the heads-up.

-=D

 

[sylvanlights]

I had something that sounds similiar and it turned out to be the front driver's side swaybar end link that had broken.

Hmm ... that sounds expensive! I will hope for the loose nut, but check for a broken end-link while I'm under there. Thanks!

-=D

 

[Robot Romeo]

any mods to your car? what aftermarket part do you have?

 

[hex2bit]

Definitely the end-link if it's a "clunk" sound. It's free under warranty I've had both of my front wear out enough where I could wiggle them with my hand easily. As it does this more, the clunk will get louder and happen easier. It won't really harm anything though. I don't think they are that expensive if you had to pay for it, at most a couple hundred bucks including labor.

I expect to have my done at least once more before my warranty ends... It happened the first time around 20K for me. However, I live on a poor gravel road with lots of bumps all year round and drive it every day. Really good for finding rattles

 

[sylvanlights]

Definitely the end-link if it's a "clunk" sound. It's free under warranty I've had both of my front wear out enough where I could wiggle them with my hand easily. As it does this more, the clunk will get louder and happen easier. It won't really harm anything though. I don't think they are that expensive if you had to pay for it, at most a couple hundred bucks including labor.

I expect to have my done at least once more before my warranty ends... It happened the first time around 20K for me. However, I live on a poor gravel road with lots of bumps all year round and drive it every day. Really good for finding rattles

I do not have any aftermarket parts. Drive-train is bone stock.

I have nearly 110,000km (60k-ish miles) so warranty is out of the question. I will try to get it into a warm garage to look at it, and order the part(s) I need.

I'm also not exactly sure what the 'end link' is. I think it is what I would call the 'control link' which connects the stabilizer to the shock absorber. True? Just want to be sure that I am looking at/for the correct part.

*still hoping for the loose nut*

-=D

 

[sylvanlights]

Could someone please verify the description of the 'end link'? Hoping to get to this on the weekend ...

Thanks! And Merry Christmas!

-=D