Hey Everyone,

I am struggling to come up with a way to properly diagnose my suspension issue. Currently I am getting a clunking noise only when I hit the brakes. Once I am stopped I am not getting any sound which makes it seem like something is vibrating and causing the clunking sound when I'm hitting the brakes. I am thinking it could possibly be the sway bar bushings or possibly the sway bar links. I've also thrown in the possibility it could be the drivers side CV joint but upon inspection of the CV join there is no leaking grease or tear in the boot. Do you guys have any ideas on how to properly diagnosis each issue without going crazy and replacing everything?

Other info that might help is that when I put the car into reverse and turn the wheel while backing up the response becomes super aggressive in the manner that pushes one side with a small force of the wheel but only when I'm in reverse (could possibly be whole other issue).

The car has 168K on it. Its got a few issues that needs to be sorted out but just trying to keep her street worthy as a daily driver and have had her for 9 years. Any thoughts or input to a possible diagnosis would be greatly appreciated!!

 

Have you looked at the compliance bushings? (They're the lower control arm bushings that meet up with the subframe in the front of the car.)

 

Loose brake caliper(s)? Check the slide pins for wear..

 

if the compliance bushings are really bad when you brake it could allow metal on metal contact which will cause a clunk and a vibration of sorts as matt is suggesting

 

Thanks for the ideas. I will look at both of those things this weekend when I have time and let you guys know how it turns out.

 

Thanks guys,

I just wanted to let you all know it turned out that I was missing caliper bolt! Thanks for all your ideas!

 

likely it was the caliper bracket bolt, if not extremely tight they will back out, they usually call for locktite but most people dont use it

 

Could be a ton of things but let's break it down:

As you are stopping the front suspension is compressing. Attached to the front suspension is the sway bar end links, sway bar, brake calipers, lower control arms (with compliance bushing), inner rod ends, outer rod ends, ball joints and literally your wheels.

If you are only slowing down and compressing your front struts (not while also running over a bump or pothole) you should be eliminating clunks from the sway bar, end links and outer and inner rod ends (again, should be). This leaves you with:
1. loose wheel lugs (19mm socket to check)
2. bad lower ball joints (lift car and move wheels with lever to see if wheel moves independent of control arm)
3. loose brake caliper bolts (17mm socket to check)
4. control arm bushings (visual diagnosis)

Good luck,
Cole

 

Cole, you may want to read a couple posts above yours. It was a missing caliper bolt.

 

I'm an idiot. Thanks ��