clunking in front

[bigdman]

sounds like something bumping around in the front of my car. could it be bad struts? and if so how else could i tell if they were bad?

[5speedz34]

Struts, ball joints, cradle mounts it could be alot of things.

 

Do you know when the struts where replaced? Usually the test is to push on the fender above the strut and if it bounces more than 2 times its bad.

 

Ball joints, jack the car up and take the wheel at 12 and 6 and rock and if it does you need ball joints.

 

Cradle mounts you will feel a pop under your feet, but take a look at the mounts, they are on at the ends of the frame that holds the engine to the car.

 

It also could be engine mounts, fairly common on these cars. Put the car in neutral and have a friend rev the engine and move it between gears and you can see how much it moves and judge if they are bad.

 

Whew....

[cutty]

could also be the strut mounts

[DaveFromColorado]

It could also be control arm bushings ...

 

Your best bet is to take it to some shop with a coupon ... and have them do one of those "vehicle inspections" so you can get a pinpoint of where the problems are ... shouldn't cost ya more then $15.00

 

--Dave.

[slick]

You can check your tie rods by grabbing the knuckle at 9 and 3 and pulling back and forth. Any movement, they are bad.

 

Testing ball joints is the same method as above, except grabbing at 12 and 6.

 

Struts, just do the bounce test.

[bigdman]

the engine moves back and forth quite alot. 3-5 inches but i thought that was normal, guess not. when the struts were replaced last i dont know but ill check by bouncing it.

[ns87]

I'd say tierods, since my car wouldn't pass inspection bc of them. Same clunking noise. I then brought it to my friends shop..and I magically passed! Should get those taken care of though, it can be pretty bad if they go I believe