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Got a clunker...

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Old Dec 9, 2006 | 03:42 PM
  #1  
Embalmer's Avatar
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Got a clunker...

After a whopping 300 miles, I will be taking the car into the dealership for the dreaded front end clunking. Both wheels do it, over smaller bumps not large ones, and from what I've read here and other sites there isn't a fix that works. Supposedly the issue is a bearing just underneath the strut tower that has too much clearance and a replacement part will have the same problem. Anyone else have this problem and get it fixed properly?
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Old Dec 9, 2006 | 04:13 PM
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I've got an 07 with about 1k and do not have this problem . It doesn't make sense that a problem like this would have continued into the 07 model. Usually the kinks are worked out the first few years. As a matter of fact, I have had ZERO problems with anything . Good luck, let us know how it turns out...
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Old Dec 9, 2006 | 04:30 PM
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However apparently that same person still works on the assembly line ! LOL
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Old Dec 9, 2006 | 06:09 PM
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I don't think it's the upper strut bearing. I replaced mine to no avail. The original were tight. I believe it's the strut design or the A arms. Wish somebody would find out for sure.
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Old Dec 9, 2006 | 06:19 PM
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Are you guys hearing a metal on metal noise, or more like a dull thud?
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Old Dec 9, 2006 | 06:36 PM
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Originally Posted by Cobrakev
Are you guys hearing a metal on metal noise, or more like a dull thud?
Over small bumps you can hear clunking - it's a soft sound, not metal to metal sounding, but it may be just that. It reminds me of driving over railroad tracks quickly - that bumpbump bumpbump - you just know it's not supposed to sound like that.
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Old Dec 9, 2006 | 08:25 PM
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I am probably going to take mine in on Monday. Will be the third time for the same front end "clunk" in two years.
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Old Dec 9, 2006 | 09:18 PM
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Have had my 06 for 3 months.... No Clunking......
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Old Dec 9, 2006 | 10:06 PM
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From: Glendora CA
http://bradbarnett.net/mustangs/gala...11frontend.pdf
Originally Posted by Embalmer
After a whopping 300 miles, I will be taking the car into the dealership for the dreaded front end clunking. Both wheels do it, over smaller bumps not large ones, and from what I've read here and other sites there isn't a fix that works. Supposedly the issue is a bearing just underneath the strut tower that has too much clearance and a replacement part will have the same problem. Anyone else have this problem and get it fixed properly?
I have an 05 Mustang GT, and I had a similer problem w/ my car (it was a known problem w/ the 05's and a TSB was issued for it).

I don't remember what parts they had to replace (I'll try and find the TSB), but once the dealer replaced the parts I haven't had any problems since.
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Old Dec 9, 2006 | 11:16 PM
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Originally Posted by Mike McRann
http://bradbarnett.net/mustangs/gala...11frontend.pdf

I have an 05 Mustang GT, and I had a similer problem w/ my car (it was a known problem w/ the 05's and a TSB was issued for it).

I don't remember what parts they had to replace (I'll try and find the TSB), but once the dealer replaced the parts I haven't had any problems since.
I read that TSB and it doesn't sound like my symptoms. That one specifically states while turning and mine happens going straight over bumps.
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Old Dec 9, 2006 | 11:20 PM
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This is exactly what I've been trying to explain... when you get the cure for that, please let me know.

Update: I checked spring isolators as described in the above TSB... they might cause the clunking. Those are hard plastic, instead of real rubber used in BMW that I had before... my other workaround this clunk is to lower the car, so front shocks are pressurized more (if the clunk comes from shocks)... anyone know Spring kit, that includes new (and maybe proper rubber) pring isolators?
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Old Dec 10, 2006 | 12:37 PM
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Check the sway bar end links, they're probably loose
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Old Dec 10, 2006 | 02:08 PM
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Originally Posted by MTAS
Check the sway bar end links, they're probably loose
Some have had that problem but I have removed my front anti-sway bar completely.
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Old Dec 10, 2006 | 09:10 PM
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Originally Posted by MTAS
Check the sway bar end links, they're probably loose
Jacked it up today and the sway bar nuts wouldn't budge. Everything else looked right - isolators were on and nothing felt loose. I guess I'll find out on Weds.
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Old Dec 10, 2006 | 10:10 PM
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Originally Posted by GottaHaveIt
However apparently that same person still works on the assembly line ! LOL
And is vengeful about his/her buyout plan!

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Old Dec 11, 2006 | 09:17 AM
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I have the same problem on my 06 GT with only 2k miles. It has be doing it since day one. When you go over smal bumps or road ridges, it is a dull thumping sound. The sound is mostly from the front but I think I hear it in the rear supension as well.
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Old Dec 11, 2006 | 09:50 AM
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The shocks are probably poor design and cause this... I'm sure every single suspension std. Stang clunks... I've been driving two other new '07s and they all have this. I'm going for suspension swap to get rid of it... but post your experiences, maybe some dealer could find this to be repaired under warranty.
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Old Dec 11, 2006 | 09:55 AM
  #18  
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I had the same problem and it was eliminated by tightening the swaybar vertical links, at both connection points (swaybar, strut). I had to have this tightening performed twice. The first time lasted about 2500 miles. During the second tightening, the attaching nuts were replaced w/ new nuts, and I haven't had to get the tightening performed since (5000 miles later, plus a few road-race sessions at PIR).

If you're checking this on your own, you'll have to jack up the entire front end of the car, in order to unload the suspension.
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Old Dec 11, 2006 | 10:02 AM
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I'll try this again this week... with new nuts.
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Old Dec 11, 2006 | 11:58 AM
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I've an '05 and mine started to do this around 16,000 miles. My passengers express a nervous, "what's that?" when they hear the noise. I just tell them that its somewhere in the suspension and that I'm hope nothing falls off.

This of course doesn't comfort them
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