Front end clunking

spearfish25 · 10-28-2010, 09:58 PM

The last week or so I've been noticing a clunking noise from the front end when I go over uneven bumps (potholes, raised cracks in the pavement of my parking lot, etc). It sounds like something in the front end is loose and clunking a few times after hitting the uneven surface. The best description would be pulling on the lower edge of the front license plate holder and then letting go (a rapid THUD, Thud, thud decrescendo). However, I haven't been able to localize it. All the suspension components are solid when I remove the front wheels. I suppose Saturday I'll take the undertray off and inspect there as well. My sway bar bushing probably need some grease, but I wouldn't expect them to make a clunking. Everything is fine when I'm driving on smoother terrain and the handling/steering is still spot on perfect.

Any ideas though?

***Answer: Sway Bar Bushings. Lubed and noise is gone.

SoCal 370Z · 10-28-2010, 10:06 PM

Check to see whether your sway bar bushings are worn, and whether the sway bars have shifted?

spearfish25 · 10-28-2010, 10:12 PM

Looks like previous Nissans and Infinities had issues with the compression rods making clunking noises. Will definitely look at the sway bar bushings and end-links Saturday. Could the bushing really wear out in just 4-5 months of use? Hopefully it's just a loose bolt.

6spd · 10-28-2010, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoCal 370Z

Check to see whether your sway bar bushings are worn, and whether the sway bars have shifted?

definitely check the links first

are you using stock links? if so, they cant take much of the aftermarket stiffness for very long and are prone to break.

spearfish25 · 10-28-2010, 10:47 PM

Yep, stock end links. I haven't found any aftermarket options. Suggestions? I just had the wheels off and thought then end links looked ok. Would it be a complete break/disconnect or just extra play in the joints that I should be looking for?

6spd · 10-28-2010, 11:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spearfish25

Yep, stock end links. I haven't found any aftermarket options. Suggestions? I just had the wheels off and thought then end links looked ok. Would it be a complete break/disconnect or just extra play in the joints that I should be looking for?

even just a small amount of play will be worsened when driving. that may not be the problem though. If you could have someone push up and down on the front of the car, you can try and squeeze under to feel if there is play or not, or maybe hear something.

cab83_750 · 10-29-2010, 01:26 AM

I'm a wrenchhead and subscribing. Let us know!

Good luck!

Jack370Z · 10-29-2010, 01:27 AM

I note you have the Sport Pkg...I assume it has the plastic air dam under the front bumper...? If you have it installed check to make sure you haven't pulled in a parking space, dragged it on a curb and pulled one side loose. It will hang down and could be bouncing up against the bumper. Sometimes it is the simple things we miss. Just a thought.

spearfish25 · 10-29-2010, 10:53 AM

Yeah, I've done the cursory walk-around pulling on things and shaking the car. Everything checks out, airdam is ok, etc. The sound only happens on significant front end bumps and is a mix of a clunk and some grinding during the compression. But jacking the car up doesn't have any funny sounds from the struts/springs and there aren't any leaks. I'm suspecting a mount of some sort...be it sway bar, engine, whatever. We'll find out soon enough when I take it all apart this afternoon.

370Zsteve · 10-29-2010, 10:55 AM

Aftermarket swaybars? I have $10 says that is your problem.

spearfish25 · 10-29-2010, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 370Zsteve

Aftermarket swaybars? I have $10 says that is your problem.

It's funny. The longer I've had my car, the more I'm interested in making it stock again. Last week I was considering removing the HFCs. Now I'm ready to go back to the stock sway bars.

Is your bet going to be a direct sway bar issue (bearing needs grease, loose mount) or indirect (aftermarket sway wore out the stock end link, etc)? Be precise here, Steve

.

6MT · 10-29-2010, 11:20 AM

Check the sway bar links (at the ends of the bar in the front).

kenchan · 10-29-2010, 12:21 PM

yep, endlinks.

toxik · 10-29-2010, 12:46 PM

I had the EXACT same clunk on my last nissan, an altima coupe. It was a lease, and even after swapping the suspension back to OEM, it still had the noise. Endlinks were fine btw. I never figured out what it was, just gave the car back like that. It was quite annoying but did not sound like anything mechanically wrong.

2004YZFR1 · 10-29-2010, 01:05 PM

Isn't your car still under warranty? If it is I would just take it to the dealer and make them fix it.

10-28-2010, 09:58 PM	#1 (permalink)
spearfish25 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Naples, FL Posts: 4,117 Drives: to work Rep Power: 1856	Front end clunking The last week or so I've been noticing a clunking noise from the front end when I go over uneven bumps (potholes, raised cracks in the pavement of my parking lot, etc). It sounds like something in the front end is loose and clunking a few times after hitting the uneven surface. The best description would be pulling on the lower edge of the front license plate holder and then letting go (a rapid THUD, Thud, thud decrescendo). However, I haven't been able to localize it. All the suspension components are solid when I remove the front wheels. I suppose Saturday I'll take the undertray off and inspect there as well. My sway bar bushing probably need some grease, but I wouldn't expect them to make a clunking. Everything is fine when I'm driving on smoother terrain and the handling/steering is still spot on perfect. Any ideas though? **Answer: Sway Bar Bushings. Lubed and noise is gone. __________________ 2013 Cadillac V-Wagon, RIP Z Last edited by spearfish25; 11-06-2010 at 09:21 AM.*

10-28-2010, 10:06 PM	#2 (permalink)
SoCal 370Z A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: US of A Posts: 2,842 Drives: Answers Rep Power: 33	Check to see whether your sway bar bushings are worn, and whether the sway bars have shifted? __________________ ( Click to show/hide ) Why I NEVER say NO to the Panda Lou Fusz!!!

10-28-2010, 10:12 PM	#3 (permalink)
spearfish25 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Naples, FL Posts: 4,117 Drives: to work Rep Power: 1856	Looks like previous Nissans and Infinities had issues with the compression rods making clunking noises. Will definitely look at the sway bar bushings and end-links Saturday. Could the bushing really wear out in just 4-5 months of use? Hopefully it's just a loose bolt. __________________ 2013 Cadillac V-Wagon, RIP Z Last edited by spearfish25; 10-28-2010 at 10:19 PM.

10-28-2010, 10:47 PM	#5 (permalink)
spearfish25 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Naples, FL Posts: 4,117 Drives: to work Rep Power: 1856	Yep, stock end links. I haven't found any aftermarket options. Suggestions? I just had the wheels off and thought then end links looked ok. Would it be a complete break/disconnect or just extra play in the joints that I should be looking for? __________________ 2013 Cadillac V-Wagon, RIP Z

10-29-2010, 01:27 AM	#8 (permalink)
Jack370Z Base Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: South Carolina Posts: 128 Drives: 09 370Z Plat SP 6MT Rep Power: 16	I note you have the Sport Pkg...I assume it has the plastic air dam under the front bumper...? If you have it installed check to make sure you haven't pulled in a parking space, dragged it on a curb and pulled one side loose. It will hang down and could be bouncing up against the bumper. Sometimes it is the simple things we miss. Just a thought. __________________ Jack 09 370Z

10-29-2010, 01:26 AM	#7 (permalink)
cab83_750 Track Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: CA Posts: 887 Drives: 09 NISSAN 370Z Rep Power: 417	I'm a wrenchhead and subscribing. Let us know! Good luck!

10-29-2010, 10:53 AM	#9 (permalink)
spearfish25 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Naples, FL Posts: 4,117 Drives: to work Rep Power: 1856	Yeah, I've done the cursory walk-around pulling on things and shaking the car. Everything checks out, airdam is ok, etc. The sound only happens on significant front end bumps and is a mix of a clunk and some grinding during the compression. But jacking the car up doesn't have any funny sounds from the struts/springs and there aren't any leaks. I'm suspecting a mount of some sort...be it sway bar, engine, whatever. We'll find out soon enough when I take it all apart this afternoon. __________________ 2013 Cadillac V-Wagon, RIP Z

10-29-2010, 10:55 AM	#10 (permalink)
370Zsteve A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Gold Coast CT Posts: 10,599 Drives: 2019 Corvette G.S. Rep Power: 43	Aftermarket swaybars? I have $10 says that is your problem. __________________ SOLD MY Z MARCH 2018 - another Core OG moves on - new ride 2019 Z Corvette Grand Sport - no mods necessary but already have eyes on HFC and intakes LOL IT NEVER ENDS.

10-29-2010, 11:20 AM	#12 (permalink)
6MT A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2009 Location: ITU Zone 2 Posts: 22,459 Drives: Reliant Robin Rep Power: 1790	Check the sway bar links (at the ends of the bar in the front). __________________ Andrew 2009 370Z Sport/Touring 6MT sold 2013 Honda Civic Si coupe D/D

10-29-2010, 12:21 PM	#13 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141521	yep, endlinks.

10-29-2010, 01:05 PM	#15 (permalink)
2004YZFR1 Enthusiast Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Las Vegas Nevada Posts: 308 Drives: 09 370Z yellow,auto Rep Power: 15	Isn't your car still under warranty? If it is I would just take it to the dealer and make them fix it.

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