Loud Clunk/rattle from front of car.

[Spiffywerks]

What is done when the O-Ring TSB is performed?

The reason I ask this is because after I got my car back from the dealer, it sounds like there was a rattle coming from my suspension system. Since I installed my Tien Coilovers myself, I didn't associate this noise with the dealer visit and went around and tightened all the bolts/nuts that I had loosened during the suspension install. Thing is I didn't find anything loose.

I noticed this morning coming into work that when I step on the gas hard and let off real quick, there is a definiate "clunk". I have a feeling I either have a loose engine cradle or a broken motor mount -- any thoughts?

I will be going back in to see the dealer regarding this, I just can't get away from the office right now.

[blackmagnum06]

i have a suspension noise too. im getting my car aligned on saturday since i havnt aligned it after i got my rims. you think maybe that could be an issue? have you aligned your car?

[Spiffywerks]

I tried to get it aligned. They put it on the rack, measured everything, said it needed a little adjustment, but then noticed they couldn't adjust it the way they needed to without a camber kit.... so hasn't been aligned.

[1fastsedan]

Could be the cradle, especially if you tightened it by hand. If you have access to one, put an impact wrench to it - or tighten with a long breaker bar. The tie rods are a known problem with LXs too.

Maybe its the body kit mocking you because its not painted. J/K.

[Mr. iNCREDIBLE]

do you get the clunk turning hard left in reverse?

try this.

turn wheels hard left

put in reverse, back up slow but turn hard right fast (so the car is barley moving but the wheels turn completely left to right.

do you hear a clunck or feel a shim sensation in the steering wheel?

if you do...

Tie rods...

I felt this for 5 months dealer said they could not find a problem, until the tie rod snapped in half one day as I pulled into their driveway bringing Rick some thank you beer...

if you feel the shim..

jack the front of the car with the wheels straight, the grab the left and right side of either front tire.

with the key off, and wheels straight you should not be able to move the wheels, if the move (even a little) or wiggle or feel loose like the lugs aren't tight..

tie rods....

[Spiffywerks]

I don't hear the clunk in reverse. I just went out and tried it right now, nothing weird happening with that. But every bump/dip I go over, especially if I hit it at a side angle, it clunks and rattles.

[blackmagnum06]

I don't hear the clunk in reverse. I just went out and tried it right now, nothing weird happening with that. But every bump/dip I go over, especially if I hit it at a side angle, it clunks and rattles.

i got that same problem!

[bookeem]

possible its the brake pads rattling around in the caliper , like it was with me..theres no shims on my oem brake pads, just a tacky anti squeel they use on the back of the pads, that sticks them to the caliper so they cant rattle around, well the stuf on the back of the pads started wearing off after 30k, and caused th pads to be able to rattle around..

for about 6 months, i dealt with it.
4 dealership trips, a new rack and pinion, 2 new tension struts, problem still wasnt solved, untill i discovered a very old thread here, checked, and sure enough, it was my pads the whole time..

[Spiffywerks]

Thanks for the suggestions. I just got back from the dealer, so they are taking a look at the situation to see what's going on.

I only have 9,000 miles on my car, so a pad issue? I dunno, but possible. I have done a few very spirited turnbull canyon runs in my car.

[Mighty Noid]

It is that freakin body kit!!!!

Get rid of it and the nosie will go away!

[1fastsedan]

You might want to check your sway bar ends and end links too. I had those exact symptoms when one end of mine loosened up a few days after installing my Hotchkis sways. Couldn't get it to move by hand or budge with a dead-blow either, but got 3 or 4 turns out of it with the wrench - go figure. Re-tightened the heck out of it and its been fine since.

[Cam]

Lower front strut mounting bolt. That fricking thing has to be beyond tight. Throw a 3ft cheater bar on that thing and torque it good.

[GoofyTimL]

Check to ensure that all your hood positioning bumpers are "up" so that the hood doesn't "clunk" within the clasp of the fastener out there.

[formerice]

Front sway bar bushings. I've replaced them on many other cars that I've owned too, Toyotas and Mazdas. Sounds like the front ends falling off. Good news, there very cheap and easy to replace.

[Spiffywerks]

The dealership is sending a shuttle to pick me up. They couldn't find anything wrong. They know a noise is there, but they looked over everything and torqued everything and cannot find anything wrong.

They said the noise it self is coming from the strut tower... also said that my fender is loose and putting pressue onto the fender quieted down the noise.... hmmmmmm I guess I got more investigation to do. I hope they aren't charging me. haha. He had 4 guys look at it to try and find the problem, no one found anything.