Clunky Front End, What To Replace?
05-18-2009, 12:28 PM
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Car: 91 LT1 RS 89 IROC-Z 350 TPI
Engine: LT1 // 350 TPI
Transmission: WC T5 // 700R4
Axle/Gears: BW 9 Bolt 3.27 //BW 9 Bolt 2.77
Clunky Front End, What To Replace?
My car has 190XXX and I know stuff in the front end needs replacing. My question is, what should I replace? I'm kind of on a budget, and when I move my steering wheel side to side theres slop and it clunks, I tried greasing all the ball joints but it didnt help. Also my dash vibrates above 70 on the freeway. tires are balanced, and all shocks and struts are new.
05-18-2009, 02:39 PM
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Car: 1989 Firebird
Engine: 5.7 LS1
Transmission: T56
Re: Clunky Front End, What To Replace?
My first suggestion is the idler arm. But I would really suggest all the linkages as this is a safety issue as well as a drivability issue.
2x inner tire rod ends
2x outer tire rod ends
1x drag/centerlink
1x idlerarm.
Check the steering gear, if there is play in it it can be adjusted with the screw on top of the box do a search There should be items turn up.
Ball joints should also be checked and possibly replaced.
I'm going to get flamed for this but you can get all at autozone for pretty cheap 30 ish for the tierods 50ish for the center link, 30ish for the idler arm. Its all life time waranty items so just swap them out as they wear. Or go with the rebuild kit from sphon if you want good parts.
Then get a front end alignment.
2x inner tire rod ends
2x outer tire rod ends
1x drag/centerlink
1x idlerarm.
Check the steering gear, if there is play in it it can be adjusted with the screw on top of the box do a search There should be items turn up.
Ball joints should also be checked and possibly replaced.
I'm going to get flamed for this but you can get all at autozone for pretty cheap 30 ish for the tierods 50ish for the center link, 30ish for the idler arm. Its all life time waranty items so just swap them out as they wear. Or go with the rebuild kit from sphon if you want good parts.
Then get a front end alignment.
Last edited by Aviator857; 05-18-2009 at 02:44 PM.
05-18-2009, 08:02 PM
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Car: 89 Firebird
Engine: L98
Transmission: T-56
Axle/Gears: 3.73
Re: Clunky Front End, What To Replace?
Control arm bushings are likely shot too.
4 things fixed my front end clunk (its never just one thing)
1 Strut tower bushings
2 control arm bushings
3 loose strut to spindle bolt
4 front end alignment
4 things fixed my front end clunk (its never just one thing)
1 Strut tower bushings
2 control arm bushings
3 loose strut to spindle bolt
4 front end alignment
05-19-2009, 06:32 AM
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Car: 1987 Black IROC-Z (SOLD)
Re: Clunky Front End, What To Replace?
I used this kit from Spohn, with very good results. You can chase down parts at various Auto parts stores and save a few bucks, but is it worth it.
Last edited by DJP87Z28; 05-26-2009 at 05:48 PM.
10-30-2009, 12:32 PM
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Car: 91 LT1 RS 89 IROC-Z 350 TPI
Engine: LT1 // 350 TPI
Transmission: WC T5 // 700R4
Axle/Gears: BW 9 Bolt 3.27 //BW 9 Bolt 2.77
Re: Clunky Front End, What To Replace?
Okay, thanks guys. Took me awhile to get the money together, but I bought The Steering rebuild kit from Spohn, and a complete set of poly bushings for the whole car and ball joints too. I'll let you all know how it turns out, I'm gonna be doing the overhall this weekend. Thanks for the help.
10-30-2009, 12:44 PM
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Car: 86 Iroc-Z28 Camaro/84 BMW M Power
Engine: 350TPI/ S50
Transmission: t-5 five speed/ 5 speed
Axle/Gears: 3.42 posi/ 3.73LSD
Re: Clunky Front End, What To Replace?
I'd also check wheel bearings and ball joints while your under there.
10-30-2009, 02:27 PM
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Car: 87 GTA
Engine: L98
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: Dana M78 3.27 posi
Re: Clunky Front End, What To Replace?
I discovered that clunk, clunk coming from my rear end, was a thin disc brake pad. Despite still having pad on it, it was loose between the caliper & disc.
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