front end clunks, what next?

[civdiv99]

+1 on above posters' sway bar theories. I was amazed at how well the car transmitted worn links noise as a clunk. Try those before the associated bushings also; is easier.

[Joeybricks]

My clunk was the sway bar links. Soon as I replaced them the noise went away!

[joemorelli99]

I had clunking over speed bumps and while quick braking. I had the front end Thrust Arm bushings replaced - clunking gone & front end is SUPER TIGHT

[theblue]

I inspected the end links again and one of them is shot while the other is mint. $17 shipped later, I have a new one on it's way from ebay.

[xsx450]

mine is really bad right now, any big bump and it KNOCKS hard both sides. Scares the shit out of me. My links come in tomorrow, im praying thats the answer.

Anyone know the torque specs??

[X5Ghost]

Originally Posted by theblue

I inspected the end links again and one of them is shot while the other is mint. $17 shipped later, I have a new one on it's way from ebay.

So they are like a dog bone with a nut on both ends, what is it that goes bad? What is the proper way to check? I have a slight clunk on the driver side and I asked the dealer to check during one of my visits and they said front end suspension is fine! I don't believe they looked thoroughly!

[xsx450]

Just replaced the sway bar links and I am frustrated because I definitely just threw $70 down the drain.

They looked fine and they were. No difference in ride or feel.

The tension/thrust arm bushings are torn but the ball joint LOOKS fine. Car has 70k In CA weather. I believe these bushings are causing the play I feel when I jab the brakes. This I am not too worried about.

MY PROBLEM is an extremely hash clunking. The car is bottoming out, both sides(front only). Fast/sharp hard bumps. On the compression stroke(braking into a sharp bump, etc), it is a dampening problem.

Air ride is functioning fine works great, no errors. It literally feels like at a certain speed or harshness the dampening just gives way and the shock smashes into whatever is above it (for lack of better words). It sounds like the top of the strut.

I plan to order the bushing next but while I am I'm there I think I need to pull the strut and inspect.

Sounds like the strut mount is broken except I have air ride :-/

I really need help. Thanks

[theblue]

if you disconnect the thrust arms at the non-ball joint end you can then grab the arm and shake it around good to feel for any play in the ball joint. just be sure to torque them back up with the car on the ground when done.