Finally fixed the front end clunk!!!

C

CWCobra

Founding Member
Mar 21, 2000
123
1
18
#1
:nice: I have been plagued for two years by a clunk in the front end of my '95 Cobra whenever the suspension loads or unloads. I suspected tie rod/control arm/ball joint problems, since the car has over 100,000 miles on it. Took it to two different shops (one was local Ford dealer). and neither could fix the problem. Both said ball joints/tie rods/control arms checked out fine.

Last night, on this forum, I saw an old post from a guy (can't find it now) who had similar problem, and solved it by tightening the 2 bolts holding the small bar on the aft side of the K member. Sounded too easy to be true, BUT IT WORKED!!!! 30 second job solved a clunk I have lived with for 2 YEARS!!!

Thank you, Stangnet!

CW
 
#2
Good post, I'm going to check that! My car has around 70k on it and has a similar clunk only when the suspension unload/loads. Rarely. Haven't been able to find anything. (ball joints/tie rods check out fine):shrug:
 
#3
The end links will often make a lighter clink/tink whereas ball joints will have a heavy thud that resonates through the pedal more thoroughly.
Glad to hear you got it fixed. :nice:
 
#4
CWCobra said:
:nice: I have been plagued for two years by a clunk in the front end of my '95 Cobra whenever the suspension loads or unloads. I suspected tie rod/control arm/ball joint problems, since the car has over 100,000 miles on it. Took it to two different shops (one was local Ford dealer). and neither could fix the problem. Both said ball joints/tie rods/control arms checked out fine.

Last night, on this forum, I saw an old post from a guy (can't find it now) who had similar problem, and solved it by tightening the 2 bolts holding the small bar on the aft side of the K member. Sounded too easy to be true, BUT IT WORKED!!!! 30 second job solved a clunk I have lived with for 2 YEARS!!!

Thank you, Stangnet!

CW
Click to expand...

"tightening the 2 bolts holding the small bar on the aft side of the K member"

What exactly is that?
 
#9
Certainly was not tie rod end links...

It is a small rod, 5/8" or so in diameter, approx 18"-24" long, which serves no apparent purpose other than to perhaps stiffen the K member. When I say "aft" side of the K member, I mean that it is found on the back of the K member, toward the rear. It has a single 1/2" or 9/16" head bolt through either end, into the K member itself. Couple of turns on the bolt on one end, 1/2 turn on the other, and my clunk was gone. Very easy.

Anybody know the correct term for this? Maybe "K member connecting rod"? That's what I'll call it untill the experts fill me in.

Thanks again, Stangnet,
CW
 
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#10
Tie rods dont have end links. They are for the anti-sway bar.

I guess I have no idea what you're talkin about. Do you have a picture?

I only ask so others will know exactly what the solution was for you, so they can apply the same fix to their own rides (which was your intent in the first place. :nice: ).
 
#14
Sorry, no pics. The K member is indeed in the front of the car, but not as far forward as the anti sway bar, which is in front of the K member. The K member connector I tightened is to the rear of the K member, and runs under the oil pan, just in front of the bell housing.

CW
 
#15
baglock1, VA302STANG and GreenMustangGt solved this for me in this thread:

http://forums.stangnet.com/showthread.php?t=504003&highlight=noise

So do a quick check of the brace in the K-member area that is dead center in the middle of the car. It's a straight bar with a bolt in each end, and points towards each front tire. When my car made a funny popping noise like that, one of the bolts was a "half" turn from tight. Crazy I know... but someone on here pointed it out and all be damned if they weren't right. LOL

At least if it's the wrong info, it's free and VERY easy to check while you are under there.
 
#17
Yah...I'm relieved it's fixed, but I am still amazed that I paid $180 for 3 hours of time for the geniuses at my local Ford store who COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM!!!
Even the service manager was mystified! Those guys need to read Stangnet!

Stangnet rules!

CW
 
#18
If your clunking problem remains, check the spring on the suspected side. I too, took my car to a few shops for that particular noise.
Turns out the bottom rung of the drivers side spring cracked through completly. The spring is well nestled in the a-arm housing so it hasn't poped out... yet, but its something I plan on fixing as soon as I can afford it.

-fawcett
 
#19
HISSIN50 said:
Tie rods dont have end links. They are for the anti-sway bar.

I guess I have no idea what you're talkin about. Do you have a picture?

I only ask so others will know exactly what the solution was for you, so they can apply the same fix to their own rides (which was your intent in the first place. :nice: ).
Click to expand...
did he send a pic./ yet
 
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