Front End Clunk!
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Junior User
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 91
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Front End Clunk!
Something new has appeared...maybe one of these days I'll get some rest, hahaha. I was headed back from TN to VA and pulled off to get some fuel. As I stopped at the end of the off-ramp, I heard clunk, thud, knock...whichever you want to call it. It hasn't gone away yet. It only does it when slowing down using the brakes. I took off both wheels and looked at the calipers, brackets and pads....everything checked out just fine. Any suggestions?
Thanks for you help!!!
Thanks for you help!!!
Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 3,220
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From: VA
Does it do it constantly when you are applying the brakes?
Reason I asked, I had a similar problem when my steering damper failed. I checked everything except that. When I would hit a bump it would start, sometimes I would hit another and it would stop, then it felt like after I would apply the brakes for some reason. That couldve been my imagination. Just dont forget to check the damper...check for leakage.
Reason I asked, I had a similar problem when my steering damper failed. I checked everything except that. When I would hit a bump it would start, sometimes I would hit another and it would stop, then it felt like after I would apply the brakes for some reason. That couldve been my imagination. Just dont forget to check the damper...check for leakage.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 10,977
Likes: 5
From: Lancaster, Pa.
I got a peroidic clunk on my drivers side and the culprit is a sway bar bushing here for me. Its worn pretty bad. Take a look at those first, alot of people on here replaced them and its not a major costly fix. Welcome to FTE and let us know what you find..
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,949
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From: Near DC
How old are your shocks?
During normal flex, you may not hear anything because it hasn't traveled to the problem area. Or...
It hasn't shifted enough on it's mounting to clunk.
Maybe with weight shifting forward, the shock compresses more or strains against the mounting causing the clunk.
Check it for leakage and looseness.
It's a quick and free check....
During normal flex, you may not hear anything because it hasn't traveled to the problem area. Or...
It hasn't shifted enough on it's mounting to clunk.
Maybe with weight shifting forward, the shock compresses more or strains against the mounting causing the clunk.
Check it for leakage and looseness.
It's a quick and free check....
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Junior User
Joined: Jun 2008
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ok, looked at both shocks....took them off even. they are the STOCK shocks, and I drove around without them. same is happening. I know I need new ones, but at least this eliminates the shock, still happenning though, right?
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Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,949
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From: Near DC
Prolly the sway bar bushings as BPP mentioned. Mine went bad at 85k.
Sounds like you need the bushings, and what the heck, new shocks too.
Sounds like you need the bushings, and what the heck, new shocks too.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 2,726
Likes: 5
From: Slatington, PA
Check your ball joints. My lower passenger side started off sounding like that and ended up thunking every time I'd hit a bump. Jack the front end up and put a pry bar between the steering knuckle and axle housing. See if you can get it to move around up/down or side to side. If they do move, here's a link on how to replace them https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/3...ll-joints.html
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 349
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From: Port Murray, NJ
Could be ball joints but I would eliminate the sway bar next. Unbolt the sway bar end links from the sway bar. Tie the sway bar up to the leaf springs or the frame so it won't drag on the ground. I used heavy duty zip ties, extra long. Then take it out for a drive and see if the clunk has gone away. Kinda the same thing you did with the shocks. This is an easy test, it's only 2 bolts.
I think you may want to also look at tie rod ends too.
I think you may want to also look at tie rod ends too.
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Junior User
Joined: Jun 2008
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Thanks for the info Wilbur, I'll give that a try and report back on what I find. Probably wont be able to do it today though. I just got done putting a new engine and transmission in my Beetle...back is killing me. Time for a beer and some TV, lol.