About a week ago, I've had this noise from the front left tire when I go over a road with little bumps in it. It sounds like a hollow thudding clunk noise- but I don't feel anything in the car. The first time, I thought that my wheel loosened up, but no, it's tight... nothing's loose in the engine compartment either.

The struts were lifetime warranty units, but that was about 100,000 miles ago. (My idea of lifetime must be different than Monroe's.) I could probably have them replaced, but I was going to change them myself this summer anyway. Just wondering if this noise is the strut, or if my front suspension's about to fall off.

Could it be a ball joint? I thought I'd feel some kind of impact, though...

 

Tom,

Possibilities that may not produce any noticable steering problems are:

Worn strut cartridge;

Upper strut mount (bearing plate) failure;

Lower ball joint wear;

Stabilizer bar mount damaged or missing;

Stabilizer bar end links rusted off;

Torn lower 'A' frame bushing;

Brake caliper bracket loose or worn.


Possibilities that would probably produce noticable steering problems are:

Wheel bearing play;

Loose strut mounting bolts at the steering knuckle;

Worn tie rod end;

Worn idler or Pitman arm;

Missing 'A' frame bushings;

Loose wheel.


I'd get it on a lift and take a close look at all the steering and suspension components.

 

My car is doing that. I finally traced it down to the strut mount.

1986 TA, 156k miles.

 

Wow, thanks, guys! I planned on rebuilding the front suspension this year- but never thought to include the strut plate. I'll have to give that list a check-over to make sure I'll "make it" to the summer months.

Bummer, there was a strut mount at eBay, brand new, for almost half price. Oh well. I have an old one in the basement.