clunk front left, 2001 focus

[Herz]

I got a small clunk noise when turning at low speeds and hitting bumps. Metalic clunk noise. Alignment is good, that side has a new Strut bearing plate, and both front ends have new lower Ball joints. Wondering what this could be. Thanks.

 

[blue94]

could be many things but I'd check the sway bar links first.

 

[saberz]

Yeah I had a clunk with my Sway Bar links on the G6, sounded like that side of the vehicle will fly off the car at any moment.

 

[IndyIan]

Sounds like they took apart the strut and maybe didn't seat the spring right?

 

[Herz]

How do I test the sway bar links? I took a look at them and the bottom boot was torn.

 

[mechtech2]

Bottom boot? What were you looking at?

Sway bar end links often get loose or break with your noise symptoms. A visual and feel inspection for play will ascertain this.
But any torn boots should be attended to right away. If it is a C/V joint, They rarely last more than 2 weeks [without going bad to some degree] with torn boots. A replacement axle is often best. They are surprisingly cheap.

 

[Herz]

The CV boot is fine, I turned my steering wheel all the way to get a look and I notcied the bottom part of the sway bar end link boot was torn, both ends were still attached I was able to fit my hand in there and move the link side to side about 3/4 a inch in both directions.

I think it may be the sway bar end links as the more I read online points to it, clunking when hitting bumps, clunking when turning, and play in it, I am probably going to replace both sides with DANA (NAPA brand) end links that are greasable and made in USA.


I should have replaced them when I did the clutch and had the rotors, pads and axle out lol. But I didnt know they were bad.

 

[saberz]

Replace them. The grease is lost when the rubber is torn. Mine were shot and making a clunking sound and the car felt weird to drive. 3 years/30k, probably needed to be changed when I bought it or before then. Its on my list of wear items to check every year.

 

[Herz]

I replaced them, car handling improved alot. Clunk is also gone. The replacement NAPA links were about 3 times thicker on the shaft, and the ball housing was made out of metal instead of plastic like the OEM ones. Also the are greaseable, much better than OEMS imo, lets see how long they last.

thanks for the advice guys, it is appreciated.