My IROC has been making a clunking sound in the front pass side when hitting bumps and I figure it's time to fix it. I popped the strut off and it feels ok while compressing/decompressing it but you can move the piston side to side a tiny bit but it doesn't feel like that could've made the noise. Also the bearing in the top mount spins but grinds while you turn it, so I guess it has to be changed, but I can't find what could be causing the clunking noise. Just wanna check with you guys before I spend a good buck on struts that I may not need.

Or if anyone else has any ideas for me to check I'd appreciate it


Thanks

 

I have to same problem in my 92 RS, I replaced the struts and it stoped for a while. But now it is doing it again. I am thinking it might be the round plastic thing that fits around the strut piston. I think it is to keep dirt off the strut. I have jiggled the thing and it makes a clunking noise. I want to take it off sometime and see if the clunking goes away.

 

I think checking the control arm bushings and the swaybar bushings and endlinks might be worth while too. Sometimes if they are worn badly enough they might become loose and make a clunking noise. The endlink bushings can sometimes fall apart and the looseness will create some clunking noises when hitting rough spots in the road.

If the upper strut bearing is grinding, it with out a doubt needs replaced. I also think and side-to-side movement of the sturt piston in relation the the main strut tube is not right at all but maybe some other people who are more certain about that will chime in.

Good Luck
K

 

On my car at least, I know it isn't the strut bearing, I had it out and it works smoothly. the noise is mostly heard when going verry slow. I have greased everything under the front end that has a grease fitting before I replaced the struts.