Had to do some diagnosing today, loud "clunk" and vibration when accelerating or decelerating. Whenever the force on the suspension changes direction.

Jacked the car up, started checking everything over. Found that the front lower control arm mounting bolt had loosened, thought "thats strange, i wonder how it could have loosened".

When i took it out to inspect it, it was fine, i put it back and began tightening it, the bolt had gone all the way in, and had not begun tightening down. Had a feel around, the captive nut within the subframe has gone, there is actually nothing to screw the bolt into- the only thing holding it in place was the urethane bush... Scary eh?

Ive managed to source another subframe locally, so im going to use the opportunity to install my ITR rack..

I thought i should post this up as it may help those who are trying to identify similar noises/feelings... i hope it helps, but i dont wish the task im starting on anyone- not for a simple nut...

 

Does this "clunk" sound like two thin metal plates colliding?
My car's been randomly making that sound followed by a metal piece ticking sound but it goes away after I stop-and-go a few times.

 

unfortunately (i dont know if thats the right word) its not, its similar to a small hammer tapping lightly on some structural part of chassis just once when force is forward and then once again as the force goes backward.

Been working on the new subframe swap today- putting in the ITR rack is so much easier when the subframe is sat on the floor... Just having problems with using the old hoses- seem to have to go into the new rack further, but the last threads are rusty- making it a bit hard...

(sorry i just saw that and thought it was funny)