Replaced front struts & top mounts/bushings : still cluncking noise
#21
One more thing to check, very simple, there's a bracket to the center of the brake master cylinder attached to the firewall that appears to go from the firewall to the frame box section and the insulating bulkhead is attached to it. If those bolts come loose, it will make anything from an earthquake kind of slipping noise to a solid knocking noise that sounds like it coming from the front suspension in front of the driver when going over uneven pavement, particularly at low speeds depending how loose. Took me ages to track it down on mine as I kept going after suspension, engine mounts, etc. all the stuff you'd normally suspect. Not the easiest bolts to get a tool on to check, but the fix is free if that's what it is.
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#23
I seem to have the same issue as well. 2001 XJR 75k miles driver-side clunk at speeds under 30-ish, especially sharp, small bumps like uneven road surfaces and potholes. Basically, anything that is a sudden shock to the suspension, even if it's a small bump. I have inspected every suspension bushing, and while older, they are all in good shape and not ripped, the subframe front bushings look quite dry and rotted. I have new shocks and upper shock bushings, as well as new swaybar links and bushings. I have checked the ball joints for play, and they do not have any. The car handles normally, if a little vague, on turn-in. but I've never driven a new one, so I don't have anything compared to it and my last car was a little zippy hot hatch.
#25
Its looking like im just going to have to drop the subframe and do it all at once. I've been trying to troubleshoot it for months, and I can't, for the life of me, find which bushing or balljoint is causing it, so I will probably have to resort to the "it can't clunk if it's all-new" method. Just not looking forward to it
#26
Update: I have replaced the following and the drivers side clunk is still there.
I am left with a couple of ideas:
- Swaybar bushings and links
- upper and lower control arm bushings
- upper and lower ball joints
I am left with a couple of ideas:
- The shock itself is bad and knocking. some online research of other Bilstien B4 shocks suggests that this can happen even to new or almost new shocks (mine are less than 10k miles)
- upper shock mounts (also less than 10k miles) are knocking even with no visible signs.
- Bad/loose engine mount
- subframe bushing(s) are actually bad but not visually noticeable in place and at worse feel a little mushy (again might be normal based on my previous car being a sharp hot hatch)
#28
#29
I can't recommend a set of these highly enough for tracking down noises like this: https://steelmantools.com/products/w...tic-device-kit
They aren't cheap but will save you a lot of effort and parts costs in the long run.
They aren't cheap but will save you a lot of effort and parts costs in the long run.
#30
I can't recommend a set of these highly enough for tracking down noises like this: https://steelmantools.com/products/w...tic-device-kit
They aren't cheap but will save you a lot of effort and parts costs in the long run.
They aren't cheap but will save you a lot of effort and parts costs in the long run.
#31
Alright, I have an update: I did the subframe bushings and while that made a huge difference in the front end's sharpness and has made the car feel much more stable, the clunk is still there! So i decided to put a gopro in the engine compartment and watch the shock mount, and it turns out that the NEW Meyle shock mounts are clunking! upon closer inspection, I even found that the other side (which doesn't make noise...at least that I can notice) has its rubber splitting apart now ( it wasn't last I checked maybe a month ago ). I have some new ones on order and hopefully, this will finally fix it. What is so weird is that it looked fine and felt perfect in every situation but driving it. I could jump on the car, wiggle the shock, etc and it wouldn't make a peep but on video, its clear the bushing is far too soft which allows the two parts of the bushing to touch on sharp bumps.
Edit: Upon ordering the new parts I noticed that the bushing from new on the Meyle part should be a white/grey color and mine are yellow kind of like the URO parts ones. Maybe there are/were some knockoff ones circulating or something because its clear that these parts failed in less than 2500 miles from new.
I can also post the video if anyone is interested
Edit: Upon ordering the new parts I noticed that the bushing from new on the Meyle part should be a white/grey color and mine are yellow kind of like the URO parts ones. Maybe there are/were some knockoff ones circulating or something because its clear that these parts failed in less than 2500 miles from new.
I can also post the video if anyone is interested
Last edited by BRG'83xj; 07-05-2024 at 02:46 PM.
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p-Rock
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07-27-2012 06:00 PM
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