Noise from Front Suspension

[svocudd]

I have a clunk occuring on the left hand side of my front suspension. It sounds as though it is coming ffrom down low an not the upper strut mounts?

What is the method to determine wether the ball joints are bad. What about lower control arm bushings, how do you verify they are in good shape?

Thanks

SVOCUDD

[svobud]

check your bushings first - sounds like sway bar end links or there abouts....that is...if you're getting a single 'clunk' in a turn

If you're getting this clunk all the time (especially on rough roads) - it may be missing your {anti}rattle clips from the brakes pads.

[84turbojoe]

To check your ball joints, jack that wheel off the ground a couple inches and grab the tire at the twelve and six o'clock positions and gently push and pull in and out. Excessive movement, clanking would be a bad ball joint. Please anyone correct me if I'm wrong but I'm pretty sure thats a quick check.

[gbeaird]

I think to do the test turbojoe is describing, you will need to put the front end on jack stands and put a jack under the front LCA. With the jack, put a little upward pressure on the LCA (to counteract the downward pressure from the spring), and then move the wheel.

You will probably want to have someone do this while you are under the car looking at the balljoint, as due to the strut type suspension, there may not be a lot of movement in the 12-o'clock to 6 o'clock direction.

The sway bar tie rod end links are bad for doing what you describe when they wear out/break. Also check the tie rod ends.

Gene Beaird
86 2R SVO
Pearland, Texas