suspension CLUNK - Zilvia.net Forums | Nissan 240SX (Silvia) and Z (Fairlady) Car Forum

uiuc240 · 07-04-2002, 11:39 AM

OK, so for the last year or so, I've had a clunking sound coming from the front suspension at slow speeds going over bumps, and when turning sharply (like when going into a parking space, turning into a driveway, going over a speed bump, etc.)  It's never noticeable while on the highway or driving in a straight line.  It's only at high steering angles at low speed (like just before you hit full lock in each direction).

I thought it was LCA bushings or the ball joint on the LCA.  Nope.  Those are new and it still does it.  The TC bushings are Whiteline poly, too.  Someone suggested strut bearings...well, the sound doesn't come from there.  I got out of the car and just started steering from left to right.  The clunk sounds like it's coming from the middle down below.

The only parts that haven't been replaced are the steering rack and the tie rod ends.  I'm thinking it's the tie rod ends (or the ball that sits in the knuckle).  Can anyone describe for me what these sound like when they fail?  Also, how do I test them?  Nothing has "play" when the car is up and I try to wiggle things around.  So I'm confused.

I don't think it's frame damage, because that would creak over ALL bumps.  This is definitely steering related, and it only happens at low speeds.

HELP!!!   <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/cry.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt='

'>

Thanks all.

Eric

tnord · 07-04-2002, 12:47 PM

you got aftermarket springs right? if so, did you transfer the spring cushion (or whatever the hell they're called, the rubber-plasticy thing on the ends of the coils) from the stock springs over to the new ones? if you didn't, that's your problem. or if you did, they're worn out, because i'm missing one spring cushion, and it makes a clunk on the exact same corner i'm missing a cushion when i do the exact same things you describe.

gsu240 · 07-04-2002, 02:22 PM

yeah, i think tnord is right, my front left spring does it too.  It started after i installed the aftermarket springs and the "cushion" on that spring was in too bad of shape to put on the new spring.  And it also does the clunking the same times as you describe.

uiuc240 · 07-04-2002, 04:10 PM

it's not coming from anywhere NEAR the springs, and yes, i have the cushions on, and yes, it did it before i put the new suspension parts in.  this has been happening for a year.  i thought that getting new shocks/springs/bushings would fix the problem...but it did nothing.  the only thing left to replace up there is the tie rod ends and the ball joints they connect to...so i guess i'll just do that.  just wanted to get some opinions.

Eric

240meowth · 07-04-2002, 05:27 PM

mine does the same thing, i'm thinking the reason is because of my ball joint on the right hand side of my lower control arm.  i bent mine, and had to replace it w/ a junkyard one, which isn't in great shape.  i believe it i grease it, it'll go away, the only problem... i don't know how to grease it...

uiuc240 · 07-05-2002, 06:29 PM

OEM ball joints are non-greaseable.  the aftermarket ones have a zerk fitting that allow you to connect a grease gun and fill 'em up.  Hope that helps.

Anybody have any more ideas on my clunking?

Eric

tnord · 07-05-2002, 07:58 PM

i still say it has to do with the spring cushions. either you didn't get them on exactly right, or they're worn out.

HippoSleek · 07-08-2002, 07:15 AM

Have we ruled out a wheel bearing?

240 2NR · 07-08-2002, 12:24 PM

I'm familiar with the car and to reiterate, it isn't spring related.  The cushions were carried over, though the problem has existed for over a year, the springs and shocks are three weeks old.  

As for hippo's thoughts on ball joints, doing the autocross test showed no signs of wear (shaking the wheel both on the ground and in the air) and no noises were produced.  Considering the ball joint would have to be serverly messed up to make that kind of noise, I'm begining to think it's in the steering rack, unless there is some kind of a bind, which wouldn't make sence in such a simple suspenion geometry.  The only other thing I can thing of is some kind of exhaust interference, but an aftermarket one picks up well after the front suspension.  Maybe you need to have the steering rack checked out.  Or we can look at it this weekend.  I'll bring my lift <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt='

'>

uiuc240 · 07-08-2002, 01:04 PM

Sweet!  You can bring the floor jack?!  That'd be awesome.

I don't think it's the rack, though.  It's perfectly smooth when turning from side to side if the tires are up in the air.  And the Sound ALSO happens when I go over speed bumps or hit the brakes HARD.  I am so confused.  Nothing is visibly FUBAR.  Don thinks it's the strut bearing plates...but the sound isn't coming from there.  Plus, I have your bearing plates!  Grrrr....I'm so tired of driving around with this damn clunky ass suspension!!!!!

Eric

07-04-2002, 11:39 AM	#1
uiuc240 Nissanaholic! Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Naperville, IL Age: 46 Posts: 2,093 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	OK, so for the last year or so, I've had a clunking sound coming from the front suspension at slow speeds going over bumps, and when turning sharply (like when going into a parking space, turning into a driveway, going over a speed bump, etc.)  It's never noticeable while on the highway or driving in a straight line.  It's only at high steering angles at low speed (like just before you hit full lock in each direction). I thought it was LCA bushings or the ball joint on the LCA.  Nope.  Those are new and it still does it.  The TC bushings are Whiteline poly, too.  Someone suggested strut bearings...well, the sound doesn't come from there.  I got out of the car and just started steering from left to right.  The clunk sounds like it's coming from the middle down below. The only parts that haven't been replaced are the steering rack and the tie rod ends.  I'm thinking it's the tie rod ends (or the ball that sits in the knuckle).  Can anyone describe for me what these sound like when they fail?  Also, how do I test them?  Nothing has "play" when the car is up and I try to wiggle things around.  So I'm confused. I don't think it's frame damage, because that would creak over ALL bumps.  This is definitely steering related, and it only happens at low speeds. HELP!!!   <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/cry.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''> Thanks all. Eric __________________ 2002 Mazda Protege5 1989 S13 w/SR20DET (sold)

07-04-2002, 02:22 PM	#3
gsu240 Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: GA Age: 43 Posts: 409 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	yeah, i think tnord is right, my front left spring does it too.  It started after i installed the aftermarket springs and the "cushion" on that spring was in too bad of shape to put on the new spring.  And it also does the clunking the same times as you describe. __________________ A one night stand will last until morning, syphilis will last a lifetime.

07-04-2002, 04:10 PM	#4
uiuc240 Nissanaholic! Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Naperville, IL Age: 46 Posts: 2,093 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	it's not coming from anywhere NEAR the springs, and yes, i have the cushions on, and yes, it did it before i put the new suspension parts in.  this has been happening for a year.  i thought that getting new shocks/springs/bushings would fix the problem...but it did nothing.  the only thing left to replace up there is the tie rod ends and the ball joints they connect to...so i guess i'll just do that.  just wanted to get some opinions. Eric __________________ 2002 Mazda Protege5 1989 S13 w/SR20DET (sold)

07-04-2002, 05:27 PM	#5
240meowth Nissanaholic! Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: torrance, ca Age: 41 Posts: 2,407 Trader Rating: (4) Feedback Score: 4 reviews	mine does the same thing, i'm thinking the reason is because of my ball joint on the right hand side of my lower control arm.  i bent mine, and had to replace it w/ a junkyard one, which isn't in great shape.  i believe it i grease it, it'll go away, the only problem... i don't know how to grease it... __________________

07-05-2002, 06:29 PM	#6
uiuc240 Nissanaholic! Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Naperville, IL Age: 46 Posts: 2,093 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	OEM ball joints are non-greaseable.  the aftermarket ones have a zerk fitting that allow you to connect a grease gun and fill 'em up.  Hope that helps. Anybody have any more ideas on my clunking? Eric __________________ 2002 Mazda Protege5 1989 S13 w/SR20DET (sold)

07-04-2002, 12:47 PM	#2
tnord Nissanaholic! Join Date: Dec 2001 Posts: 1,975 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	you got aftermarket springs right? if so, did you transfer the spring cushion (or whatever the hell they're called, the rubber-plasticy thing on the ends of the coils) from the stock springs over to the new ones? if you didn't, that's your problem. or if you did, they're worn out, because i'm missing one spring cushion, and it makes a clunk on the exact same corner i'm missing a cushion when i do the exact same things you describe.

07-05-2002, 07:58 PM	#7
tnord Nissanaholic! Join Date: Dec 2001 Posts: 1,975 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	i still say it has to do with the spring cushions. either you didn't get them on exactly right, or they're worn out.

07-08-2002, 07:15 AM	#8
HippoSleek Nissanaholic! Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: elsewhere Posts: 2,081 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Have we ruled out a wheel bearing?

07-08-2002, 12:24 PM	#9
240 2NR Zilvia FREAK! Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Denver Posts: 1,131 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I'm familiar with the car and to reiterate, it isn't spring related.  The cushions were carried over, though the problem has existed for over a year, the springs and shocks are three weeks old.   As for hippo's thoughts on ball joints, doing the autocross test showed no signs of wear (shaking the wheel both on the ground and in the air) and no noises were produced.  Considering the ball joint would have to be serverly messed up to make that kind of noise, I'm begining to think it's in the steering rack, unless there is some kind of a bind, which wouldn't make sence in such a simple suspenion geometry.  The only other thing I can thing of is some kind of exhaust interference, but an aftermarket one picks up well after the front suspension.  Maybe you need to have the steering rack checked out.  Or we can look at it this weekend.  I'll bring my lift <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''> __________________ Steve 93 240sx FB currently very clean and for sale

07-08-2002, 01:04 PM	#10
uiuc240 Nissanaholic! Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Naperville, IL Age: 46 Posts: 2,093 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Sweet!  You can bring the floor jack?!  That'd be awesome. I don't think it's the rack, though.  It's perfectly smooth when turning from side to side if the tires are up in the air.  And the Sound ALSO happens when I go over speed bumps or hit the brakes HARD.  I am so confused.  Nothing is visibly FUBAR.  Don thinks it's the strut bearing plates...but the sound isn't coming from there.  Plus, I have your bearing plates!  Grrrr....I'm so tired of driving around with this damn clunky ass suspension!!!!! Eric __________________ 2002 Mazda Protege5 1989 S13 w/SR20DET (sold)