![]() ![]() These are mounted in large rubber bushings, and you can hear these bushings move around if they have any extra clearance here. ![]() Some vehicles have substantial horizontal struts that position the lower control arms fore and aft. Look down over the fender as your helper does this. You can pinpoint bad upper A-frame or control arm bushings by having a helper hold the brakes firmly with the engine idling while shifting from Drive through Neutral to Reverse repeatedly. So, place your jack and jackstands under the control arms or the rear axle to keep the weight on the suspension components. There should be next to no visible play.īy the way, if you raise the car by the frame, the suspension and steering parts will be hanging at an unnatural angle, which may hide the looseness you're looking for. Have your helper sit in the driver's seat, turn the key to unlock the column, then rock the steering wheel vigorously from side to side while you watch the steering components. The "dry park check," which checks for free play in the steering mechanism, is less physically challenging. Nothing obvious? Then lie down and look underneath with your light. This works almost as well as a mechanic's stethoscope. If you hear anything strange, but can't pinpoint the source, place the end of a broomstick or long screwdriver against your ear and touch the other end to suspected areas. ![]() While doing this, listen carefully and use a good light to examine the upper strut or shock mounts and the control arm joints. Release and lift repeatedly until the suspension is really working. For frontend noises, pop the hood and have your comrade press down on the bumper or fender. Rope in the strongest friend you can to assist. If no clues are forthcoming, it's time to go hands-on. Regardless, this is a good place to start. ![]() Some of these entitle you to get the clunk fixed for free, while others may say that the noise is simply a characteristic of the vehicle and should be accepted as normal. Suspension clatter is a common problem which generates quite a few TSBs. Alternately, you can always call your dealership as they should have all of the up-to-date TSBs for the marques they sell. There are several sites online where you can search by your car’s make and model or VIN for outstanding TSBs. These bulletins are issued by automakers for known problems and often include options to fix your car, such as redesigned suspension parts. Check If the Clunk Is a Known Issueįirst, search online for any Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) for your car that pertain to the noise. It might be as simple as a loose nut on the strut, or something more subtle such as a shrunken, dried-out rubber bushing. If you hear a clunk when the suspension works over bumps, you may have excessive clearance in a joint due to wear. Play icon The triangle icon that indicates to play The dynamics of a rolling vehicle, the complex nature of modern suspensions, and the way sounds echo through the chassis and body make it hard to pinpoint the location of a problem. Unfortunately, finding the cause of the noise isn't so easy. If your car has lots of miles on it don't be surprised if some portion of the heavy metal supporting it over terra firma starts complaining. Plus, who wants to drive a vehicle that sounds like it's about to drop to the pavement? While there's little chance that your car is going to lose something essential as it goes down the road, chassis and suspension noises definitely have to be checked out for safety's sake. Maybe you couldn't hear it on the unpaved road, but every expansion strip on the Interstate makes your car sound like a tin can full of bolts. Then you hit the pavement and the rattling starts. The potholes are worth it, however, for the great weekend of backwoods hiking and exploring. It's the proverbial twenty miles of bad road. ![]()
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