Front End Clunking Sound

beachbrum · Post by **beachbrum** » Thu Sep 29, 2011 7:00 pm

So my 2001 RT with 156K miles on it reecently started making some odd noises from the front end. Generally in a parking lot while making slow turns or also when starting out in 1st gar sometimes I hear clunking sounds. It is kind of bad as I am coasting into a parking space while turning. Last night while I was stopped at a signal I would turn the will about two inches in one direction and the clunk sound happens, then I turn it the other way same noise. Doesn't seem to affect driveability in any way.

Any thoughts?

Thanks!

titansxt · Post by **titansxt** » Thu Sep 29, 2011 10:36 pm

I'm no clunk expert but, my buddy has a GTO and he gets that clunk only when the wheel is turned too. The shop who did his suspension said the shock assembly needs to be replaced.

gtownv6 · Post by **gtownv6** » Thu Sep 29, 2011 10:41 pm

The bearing in the upper strut mount is going out causing the spring to bind.

beachbrum · Post by **beachbrum** » Tue Oct 04, 2011 12:55 pm

gtownv6 wrote:The bearing in the upper strut mount is going out causing the spring to bind.

Do I essentially need to replace both of the front struts? I am hoping this would be a DIY job without having to buy a whole lot of special tools.

Anyone out there replaced the Neon RT struts?

g_force58 · Post by **g_force58** » Tue Oct 04, 2011 2:26 pm

Anyone with a bit of experience can change the struts, just take your time, have a good repair manual, and take lots of pics before disassembly as that will help when installing the new ones. Buy or rent a quality spring compressor to swap the springs or take them to a suspension shop and have them do it. you will need an alignment when finished.

Post by **occasional demons** » Tue Oct 04, 2011 3:13 pm

You could get by with just the tophats (bearing) but with the mileage, you may as well replace all of it. Since you essentially will have them torn down to that stage. You may want to consider new springs depending on how bad they have been catching, if this is the true cause of the noise. If you have someone to look under the car while you turn the wheel, or vice versa, it would help confirm where it is coming from. Not that that stuff shouldn't be replaced anyways, it would be money better spent on what you know for sure is the cause. Then fix the other worn out stuff as budget allows. Or if it breaks before that. (More the reality)

2GN.ORG

Front End Clunking Sound

Front End Clunking Sound

front end clunking sound