Knock noise from front end going over even small bumps
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Joined: January 29, 2021
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Hello, piggybacking on this thread. I have a 2014 S197 with 127k miles and I suspect my front end links are going bad. When I jacked the front end up, I hit the sway bar with my hand (kinda slamming in an upwards motion) and I can hear a clunk coming from what appears to be the passenger link, but I am unsure. I hit/pried on some other things, but the noise only comes from the bar. I'm assuming the bar shouldn't make ANY noise when I hit it, since it should be tight with the frame. I haven't seen anybody else in the thread do this, so I'm just making an educated guess. I can also twist the sway bar link with my hand, not sure if thats an issue. Would I be right in replacing my front links? I just did the rear sway links a week ago and the front started with the same sounding noise over bumps.
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Joined: June 7, 2021
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Ended up replacing the links today, fixed the issue. Old ones were old aluminum junk, got some OEM replacements on now, handles much better and is silent.
I found the easiest method was to put an 8mm socket on the end of the bolt to hold it still and crank the 18mm nut off with a wrench. Wish it was easier, but its done. Hammered it down as tight as I could with Lock-Tite on the threads.
I found the easiest method was to put an 8mm socket on the end of the bolt to hold it still and crank the 18mm nut off with a wrench. Wish it was easier, but its done. Hammered it down as tight as I could with Lock-Tite on the threads.
Mach 1 Member
Joined: September 2, 2020
Posts: 615
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From: The Coal Region (Skook)
Well I have the same issue sort of. 
I was working on the car the other day and saw that the rubber boots for the sway bar end links were bad sonic went and got some. Reached them everything seemed fine. Took it for a ride around town nothing special and seemed good to go. Then I took the car for about and hour ride today and now I have a clunk over small bumps. I think it's the sway bar bushings. Ugh always something should have just replaced them when I did the links. 
I was working on the car the other day and saw that the rubber boots for the sway bar end links were bad sonic went and got some. Reached them everything seemed fine. Took it for a ride around town nothing special and seemed good to go. Then I took the car for about and hour ride today and now I have a clunk over small bumps. I think it's the sway bar bushings. Ugh always something should have just replaced them when I did the links.
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Joined: June 7, 2021
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I am actually in the same boat as you now, just replaced the links a couple weeks ago and the car was silent over bumps. Now, there is a slight clunk, not nearly as bad as before I replaced the links, but it is still noticeable. Let me know if replacing the bushings fixes your issue, I will do the same most likely. Unless it is my shocks now 
Mach 1 Member
Joined: September 2, 2020
Posts: 615
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From: The Coal Region (Skook)
Will do, I pulled the while sway bar off yesterday and checked the bushings and they seemed ok but might just get new ones anyhow. I re-greased them and noticed that on each bushing there was 1 bolt that wasn't super tight so maybe that was my issue. I took it for a ride for about 5 miles and didn't hear any clunking but that's not to say it won't come back
Mach 1 Member
Joined: June 22, 2013
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From: the beautiful "Shenandoah Valley of Virginia"
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Joined: June 7, 2021
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So I am still dealing with a small knock over bumps, even after replacing the sway bar end links on the front and rear. The noise is only from the rear though. I have tried to tighten them as much as possible several times to no avail, I can move them side to side along the sway bar with slight effort. I suppose it's due to the nuts backing out while I am driving, so I may pull them out and put Loctite on them. Also, should I tighten the bolts with the car on the ground or in the air? I've tried doing both methods, did not help.
Mach 1 Member
Joined: June 22, 2013
Posts: 580
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From: the beautiful "Shenandoah Valley of Virginia"
Nuts should not be backing out. Have you inspected the bushings at the axle ends of the rear bar?
Last edited by tbear853; Aug 7, 2021 at 11:43 AM.
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Joined: June 7, 2021
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I have, they look decent and the nuts are staying tight on them. Could not replacing the bushings contribute to the clunking? When I replaced the links, the noise was gone for a week or so. I will just loctite the bolts back in and see what happens.
Also, should I tighten them while the car is in the air? Thank you.
Also, should I tighten them while the car is in the air? Thank you.
Mach 1 Member
Joined: June 22, 2013
Posts: 580
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From: the beautiful "Shenandoah Valley of Virginia"
Legacy TMS Member
Joined: February 2, 2004
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From: Insane
Just a note here... sway bar is meant to move up and down, twist about, that kind of thing, as are all suspension components. But you do the 'air tighten' on the control arms and you'll tear them up. So don't do this on those, just the sway bar. And even then, might just wanna do them on the ground/ride height just in case maybe.
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Joined: June 7, 2021
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I tightened them up today, I noticed that the driver side rear link was loose about a turn and a half. It seems like it could go more, but I stopped in case the bolt/nut breaks. I used a torque wrench to check it and it is around 85ft/lbs.
I will update how it drives.
I will update how it drives.
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