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Clunking noise in front end when turning sharp corners

K

KleinD

New member
Hey guys, so this summer I've spent quite a bit of time on my '02 GP GTPs front end. The car is over 100,000 miles now and several things have needed to be replaced. On both sides, I have new wheel hub/bearings, CV joints, and strut/shock/strut mount assemblies. But there is still a front end noise that has got me absolutely stumped, and I would like to have the car completely fixed before the cold weather hits here. :th_sick1:

The sound is a pop/clunk type which is heard when taking alternating corners sharply. What I mean by alternating is that when I turn sharp left I might heard it, but not when I turn left again until I turn right. It's like something is popping back and forth into place. Also, it only occurs when turning moderately sharply. The sound does not happen when I slow down significantly for a turn (it's not just from the wheel turning from what I can tell - it's related to forces from the car turning). I managed to get a video of the sound here, around the 00:04 second mark:


I've obviously inspected/tugged at most of the parts of the front end with no luck (tie rods etc.), but at this point anything could be suspect and I haven't been able to reproduce the sound when the car is not moving. Related: the car clunks badly when shifting into reverse, not sure if it is transmission or related to this - I will get a video of this up asap. Based on this, is there any possibility it is the transmission mounts? I don't know, I'm pretty frustrated that replacing the strut/shocks didn't aleviate this issue. :th_depressed:
 


I'd check the trans and engine mounts, dogbone mounts up on the rad. support, check for broken front swaybar where the endlinks bolt to it as they are prone to cracking. Also might be time for new lower control arms as the bushings are likely worn out letting it clunk when they move. The good thing is new arms also come with a new ball joint, so it's just knock the old arm out with the old joint still attached and reinstall. No need to press any new bushings in or balljoint.
 
I had this noise when I first got my car in 2009, turned out to be loose rack and pinion mount bolts. To fix, Loosen both rack mount bolts, center rack in mount holes, re tighten rack mount bolts.
 
FordMan, thanks. I will inspect those areas. I'm a little fuzzy on the location of the transmission mounts and lower(?) engine mounts, do you know of any resources or videos for replacing those? My lower control arms are worn, they've been crowbar-ed out of the way a lot for other repairs, perhaps their time has come.

QUICKSILVER, I do remember reading that some clunks can be related to the steering system. I'll try to inspect the rack and pinion mount bolts. Again, I'll have to find them first :3

Here is a quick video of shifting the car into reverse. The first noise when I shift is obviously the doors locking, but listed for the rumbly sound and the loud clunk.

 
Just wanted to give a quick update, I was finally able to reproduce the clunk by prying at the front control arm bushing with a crowbar. The bushing was obviously shot, similar to this photo:

2013-12-12_143423_bad_lca_bushing.jpg


So I ordered two new moog arms (with bushings) from RockAuto and replaced both on the driver and passenger sides. The car corners like new, and no more clunking!
 
Which moog arms did you order?

My 98 GT is in need of a suspension overhaul so the research begins. Control arms are definitely on the list. Just wondering if you went for the performance level. Thanks!
 


The ones with the solid bearing mount instead of the soft rubber one is awesome!! Cornering is much improved. I just rebuilt my Dorman police package arms with the moog vertical and horizontal bushing.
 
I love seeing post like this. Not a better feeling whenreplacing worn out parts with freshness. I’m not totally versed in the part #sand know the policy impalas are an upgrade. Do you have a part #? Are these onRock auto by chance? I too have cleaned up some parts but want to do the armsnext. Thanks in advance!!
 
i Believe these are what you are looking for. Personally I would rebuild your stock ones with all the Moog parts. including the urethane horizontal bushing, the socket design vertical bushing and the moog ball joint.

[TABLE="class: nobmp, width: 1884"]
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[TD="class: listing-border-top-line listing-inner-content"]MOOG RK620568 {#10349614, 20977509, 22947666} R-Series; Complete Arm w/ Ball Joint Info
Front Left Lower; Police



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MOOG RK620569 {Click Info Button for Alternate/OEM Part Numbers} R-Series; Complete Arm w/ Ball Joint Info
Front Right Lower; Police



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[TD="class: listing-border-top-line listing-float-box-cell-shared listing-float-box-cell-more-padding, colspan: 3, align: center"]$73.79





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[TABLE="class: nobmp, width: 1884"]
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[TD="class: listing-border-top-line listing-inner-content"]MOOG K200787 Problem Solver Info
Front Lower Forward; Durable Socket Design Eases Installation; Vertical Mount



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[TD="class: listing-border-top-line listing-float-box-cell-shared listing-float-box-cell-more-padding, colspan: 3, align: center"]$21.79

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[TABLE="class: nobmp, width: 1884"]
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[TD="class: listing-inner-content"]MOOG K80778 {#10260991, 10264395} Problem Solver; Pair Info
Heart.png

Front Lower Rearward; 2 Piece Bushing; Horizontal Mount; 2 Piece Bushing Design Allows Easier Installation



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[TD="class: listing-border-top-line listing-inner-content"]MOOG K5331 {Click Info Button for Alternate/OEM Part Numbers} Problem Solver Info
Front Lower; Bolt On Type; Steel Arm



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rikisrad...thanks for recommendation and the individual part numbers! The complete assemblies you listed are for 2005+ gp according to partsgeek so wouldn't work for me or ILMODC.
 


Sad update here, the 'clunking' has returned with a vengance. Really not sure if it is related to the control arms or not (it shouldn't be since they're new). My sway bar is in good shape as far as I can tell, I know those are prone to cracking. Haven't checked engine mounts yet, seems more related to steering/suspension but I will check. Would getting an alignment possibly fix some issues?

EDIT: For the benefit of those who have asked, I purchased the MOOG CK80538 and MOOG CK80539 "Premium" Problem Solver Complete Arms w/ Ball Joint. Also, I noticed rickisrad recommended the police package moog "RK" series. While these are comparable in price to the moog "CK" Problem Solver series that I purchased, I have read to avoid the cheaper economy moog "RK" series (which sell for around $50 a piece) as they are inferior quality.
 
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