[eswan]

I have clunking/clicking noises from my front end, sometimes when I turn sharp, and sometimes when I hit a bump in the road. I have already replaced front wheel hubs/bearings, upper ball joints, lower ball joints, inner tie rods, outer tie rods. What else can it be? Vehicle has only 139000km on the clock, 2001 3.5 SWB. I also tested the sway bar links, they are fine. Anybody with similar experience?

[4ePikanini]

How did you test the anti sway bar links (stabilizer links)?

They are usually the first to go on the gen3's. They may feel fine to you but the smallest play will show as a clunk over bumps or turns.

[eswan]

Hi Marius. I took the sway bar off the vehicle and test drove it, made no difference.

[4ePikanini]

I would then recommend checking out the ball joints and the shock bolts.

Also inspect the A-arm rubber bushings.

[eswan]

I have just replaced the top and bottom ball joints. The bottom shock bolts are also fine. Maybe the top bolts? The upper and lower control arm bushes are also fine, no play and no metal to metal.

[4ePikanini]

I would take it to a roadworthy center where they have those machines that stress the suspension. The clunk or play should show up pretty quickly there.

[eswan]

Thanks for the idea, I will do that.

[CATS]

Thanks for the idea, I will do that.

Check your front shocks for wear on the outer body where it might catch the suspension components. I had a horrible clunking on my Gen 3 and it turned out that the Iron Man shocks actually catch the suspension components. Due to the monocoque construction this noise is further amplified inside the cabin. Also the bushes on the Ironman Shocks failed leading to the shock bolt damping on the shock itself! What shocks do you have fitted? If it is Ironman I would not be surprised if that is your source of the noise.

CATS

[eswan]

No, not ironman. The previous owner (my late father) had them fitted, standard but I do not know what brand. I cannot see the shocks touching anywhere. When I heard the noise the first time, I was in reverse with wheels turned all the way left, took foot off brake and moving slowly in reverse heard a clunk, only once or twice, then quiet. Driving straight-no noise. You notice it most when parking at a shopping centre.

[CATS]

Mmmmmm. That sounds like the noise from a CV joint that is damaged! Was there ever any grease thrown out from the CV boots and were there any damage to any CV boots?

CATS