Suspension clunk and steering rack bushings

[DTNODYA]

I thought I mentioned the swaybar bushings but I forgot the word bushings:

Here's how mine went ... The rack bushings reduced the clunk sound greatly but it was still there. I replaced the swaybar bushings, endlinks and spring isolators (with MM urethene ones) and that fixed it completely. You're on the right track IMO

I am pretty sure that autozone sells energy suspension (urethene) ones that have a nipple so that you can grease them. I know I got some for my truck from autozone. FWIW...

 

[KronicRacer]

I thought I mentioned the swaybar bushings but I forgot the word bushings:



I am pretty sure that autozone sells energy suspension (urethene) ones that have a nipple so that you can grease them. I know I got some for my truck from autozone. FWIW...

bahhhh i guess i overlooked when you mentioned the bushings.

ok so far.....i got new bushings from napa in

funny thing is that they look like the stock pieces, oh well at least they are new.
driving after the installation it was totally quiet. this afternoon in 5:00 traffic it started creaking again at least it wasn't clunking
as far as the creaking: there was one thing i forgot to do.......

one of the most important things is once the mounts come off remember to torque them back in. i used a craftsman torque wrench set at 55.5 ft/lbs a few mins ago. i am testing again in a bit to see if that does away with it.

 

[DTNODYA]

I didn't read back through the thread but the only things left that I can think of are:

Balljoints (inspect them)

Control arm bushings (probably already mentioned)

And this is something that I checked first and turned out to help a lot. I just remembered this ... Make sure that your shock is tight (nut on the top). Another thing is the rubber pieces on the struts (bushings I guess) that are on the top of the strut. The ones where 1 is under the wheelwell and the other is on top. Look at them to see if they are cracked or look 'flattened'

 

[mhsballplaya236]

Alright, sorry to bring back a dead thread.

I work at an alignment/steering/suspension/brake shop. Customer brought in her 03 Mustang. Had a clunking noise when turning. Checked it out and ended up replacing the steering rack bushing and collars.

Now is the fun part. the original noise went away. Now it has a clunk in the LF that you can sort of feel. Only clunks when turning in reverse. Does not do it sitting still or driving forward. Checked for tightness in all components and cant seem to figure it out. Any ideas?

Thanks in advance/

 

[bobc83]

This may help anyone with this type of noise/problem or might not. I had this same noise just like everyone else for the longest time. I replaced my struts yesterday because the were worn, and two things: (1 The bolts that hold the strut to the spindle were a little loose 2) I guess this allowed the strut to move around and cause a creeking/clunking noise when I would go up driveways and other obsticles? Just thought I would share, might help someone.

 

[poindexternasty]

This may help anyone with this type of noise/problem or might not. I had this same noise just like everyone else for the longest time. I replaced my struts yesterday because the were worn, and two things: (1 The bolts that hold the strut to the spindle were a little loose 2) I guess this allowed the strut to move around and cause a creeking/clunking noise when I would go up driveways and other obsticles? Just thought I would share, might help someone.

Ditto. I have the same noise and have replaced the following but still no solution:

Ball Joints
Tie rod ends
sway bar bushings
sway bar end links
steering rack brackets
steering rack bushings
struts
brake job (front and rear)

I believe that the strut tower is the source of the creaking noise. My girlfriend is inept with cars and unable to drive a 5-speed so it is difficult for me to diagnose this myself. I can see the strut tower top nut shifting slightly while the noise manifests itself.

I have a set of Cobra A-Arms, Eibach Pro-Kit springs, and UPR 4 bolt CC plates in the box waiting to go on my ride. I will replace the isolators also and will update this thread.

 

[Stokestack]

Same here. I think it's the C/C plates.

I've been pursuing a massive clunking from the strut-tower area for months now. My '96 Cobra has been to three shops and nobody can figure this out. I've had the ball joints & wheel bearings inspected, and just replaced my Bilstein struts. The firmer struts actually made the problem worse, and I think it's the MM C/C plates clunking.

I talked to MM, and they say to make sure the top nut is tight. Well, it's not budging, so it seems tight. To see if I was right about the noise location, I ran a microphone into the engine compartment and taped it to the C/C plate. Listen to this raucous noise:

http://GetAmbitious.com/car/close.mp3

When I moved the mic onto the strut-tower brace, the noise was less pronounced. I think it's the C/C plates, and given the number of people reporting this problem, I'm not very happy with MM.

Not sure what to replace the C/C plates with. I didn't keep the stock pieces, unfortunately. Any suggestions? I don't think I need C/C plates anyway at this point.

 

[nyuk98gt]

Stokestack:

It's your strut retention nut(s). Use a rubber band strap wrench and wrap it a bunch of times around the rod and hit the nut with the electric impact wrench (not for long, just a couple or RRRRRAAAPPPP's on the trigger). Test drive. If the clunk is still there then repeat the procedure/test drive until the clunk is gone.

HTH,

Chris

 

[evolucion311]

My clunk/creak noise turned out to be the sway bar bushings needing grease.

I hit em with some blue multi purpose grease (urethane bushings) and now the car is good to go.

Still having problems with a steering creak coming from my strut towers, too.