Suspension "Clunk" - Sway Bar End Links Bad?

trevo_man

trevo_man

New member
I've got a front end "clunk" going over small road deviations, speed bumps, driveways, etc. I just replaced the front struts, LBJs, and Sway Bar End Link Bushings. Trying to look for things that could be causing the noise and just noticed that the driver side Sway Bar End Link looks a little off. It appears to be rotated toward the front of the vehicle. Does this look normal or is this likely what is causing my noise?

Driver Side:
IMG_20161005_184106981.jpg

Passenger Side (For Reference):
IMG_20161005_184130866.jpg

What else should I look for? Inner/Outer Tie Rods look to be in good shape.
 

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Those end links don't look to awful bad snapped off or anything does it occur when turning the wheels at all... Also did u replace struts recently and forget to place the rubber strut mount top back in place
 
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SilverRidgeRunner1 said:
Those end links don't look to awful bad snapped off or anything does it occur when turning the wheels at all... Also did u replace struts recently and forget to place the rubber strut mount top back in place
Click to expand...

It happens when turning or driving straight. If I go over a small pothole or anything there is just a "clunk" sound coming from what sounds like the passenger side front and rear. Rubber strut mounts are nice and seated.

So that bottom end doesn't look odd even though it is turned forward?

Anything else I should check?
 
trevo_man said:
It happens when turning or driving straight. If I go over a small pothole or anything there is just a "clunk" sound coming from what sounds like the passenger side front and rear. Rubber strut mounts are nice and seated.

So that bottom end doesn't look odd even though it is turned forward?

Anything else I should check?
Click to expand...

How are the bushing for rack looking I developed a clunk once and discovered my rack was flopping around because the bushing had warn slap out .
 
my steering rack guide was causing me this kind of clunk, found it to be the culprit after, like you, looking at everything, then reading about it on the forum.

Try it, it takes 15 minutes to remove, clean and torque back on.

:girl:
 
SilverRidgeRunner1 said:
How are the bushing for rack looking I developed a clunk once and discovered my rack was flopping around because the bushing had warn slap out .
Click to expand...

All steering rack bushings look to be intact and crack-free. No play at all.

diverscale said:
my steering rack guide was causing me this kind of clunk, found it to be the culprit after, like you, looking at everything, then reading about it on the forum.

Try it, it takes 15 minutes to remove, clean and torque back on.
Click to expand...

I'll have to look into this. I found a tutorial for replacement of the guide, but steering seems to be pretty slop-free so I'm not sure this is the culprit. Worth a shot though.

krenaud33 said:
Could be a worn cv. See if you have play in your cvs
Click to expand...

CVs seem to be in good condition w/ no abnormal play. No clicking or indicators that they are failing while driving either.
 
trevo_man said:
I've got a front end "clunk" going over small road deviations, speed bumps, driveways, etc. I just replaced the front struts, LBJs, and Sway Bar End Link Bushings. Trying to look for things that could be causing the noise and just noticed that the driver side Sway Bar End Link looks a little off. It appears to be rotated toward the front of the vehicle. Does this look normal or is this likely what is causing my noise?

Driver Side:
View attachment 222093

Passenger Side (For Reference):
View attachment 222094

What else should I look for? Inner/Outer Tie Rods look to be in good shape.
Click to expand...


I noticed mine doing this as well. I can feel a thump under my feet after going over a pot hole or some obstacle in the road
 
I don't have this problem. My sway bar end links broke off so I don't have a sway bar anymore.

:lol:
 
trevo_man said:
I'll have to look into this. I found a tutorial for replacement of the guide, but steering seems to be pretty slop-free so I'm not sure this is the culprit. Worth a shot though.
Click to expand...

My steering and those of others were stiff too, even though the guide was the culprit.

I didn't replace my guide, just remove, grease and re-seat per specs.
 
Try some of the other suggestions in this thread. 1 of my 2 swaybar links broke really bad + bushings were shot & I had a clunk on speed bumps and such etc -- yours looks nothing like mine did, they look good.
 
How do the bushings look where the sway bar mounts under the vehicle? I had a clunk and my end links looked good but the others under the vehicle were toast.

Bad Sway Bar Bushing.jpg
 

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to which control arm bushings are you referring? I just replaced my lowers hoping it would erase a clunk I'm hearing and it's still there after new LBJ's with new OEM bushings, New OEM LBJ's and outer tie rod ends. I'm about to swap in my coilovers and rear shocks that I've got on the way to me and I'll be doing the upper control arms when I'm in there so hopefully that's the culprit.

I actually am driving with no front sway bar installed right now to ensure that it wasn't the culprit.
 
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You could remove sway links and test drive (zip tie sway bar up to frame if you do that to be safe). That should eliminate the noise if it's related to the sway bar. Also, I thought my rack bushings were good based on visual, but once removed they were junk. Might be an area to check.
 
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trevo_man said:
I've got a front end "clunk" going over small road deviations, speed bumps, driveways, etc. I just replaced the front struts, LBJs, and Sway Bar End Link Bushings. Trying to look for things that could be causing the noise and just noticed that the driver side Sway Bar End Link looks a little off. It appears to be rotated toward the front of the vehicle. Does this look normal or is this likely what is causing my noise?




What else should I look for? Inner/Outer Tie Rods look to be in good shape.
Click to expand...



Did you solve your clunk? I am trying to find mine.
 
185Runner said:
Did you solve your clunk? I am trying to find mine.
Click to expand...

If the swaybar endlink is rotated towards the front and is close to touching, its almost 100% sure that that is your clunk. The passenger side on my truck failed after 6 months.
It's bent and clunks again now....
 
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