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Moog front suspension issue. (User error...probably me)

B

brugg125er

New member
So when I make slow turns my newly installed front suspension makes a clunking noise. I tightened everything by hand with a regular ratchets. I think the clunking noise may be because the strut tower bolts aren’t tight enough. I picked up a torque wrench the other day. Does anybody know roughly how tight they should be? I threw the boxes and manuals away a couple weeks ago and I can’t find a pdf of a manual online for them.
 


Just found they should be tightened to 24lbs each. I just tightened them to 75lbs. So anybody know why it would clunk? I also noticed when I go over one of those wide speed bumps, when the suspension compresses it makes a clunk noise. It doesn’t sound like a spring is binding either...��
 
KleinD said:
I've been dealing with a lot of front-end clunking myself. Over this past summer I replaced a bunch of my front end stuff - suspension, CV joints, wheel hubs, and control arms. I still have a clunk when cornering after doing my control arms, I'm kind of stumped. You can check out my thread here: http://www.grandprixforums.net/threads/106679-Clunking-noise-in-front-end-when-turning-sharp-corners maybe something there will help.
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I have replaced the driver side control arm, sway bar end link, and inner and outer tie rod. The passenger side I haven’t touched yet. But it just feels like it’s the actual strut/spring assembly itself because it feels like it does the same thing on both sides at the same time when turning the wheel.
 
"...it feels like it does the same thingon both sidesat the same timewhen turning the wheel."

You may want to check the steering rack bolts.
What else is connected to both wheels at the same time other than the steering rack.
 
LEVELX said:
"...it feels like it does the same thingon both sidesat the same timewhen turning the wheel."

You may want to check the steering rack bolts.
What else is connected to both wheels at the same time other than the steering rack.
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The front sway bar. If you tightened the endlinks while it was in the air, it's way too tight and could possibly be hitting the control arm or something else.
 


industrialfish said:
The front sway bar. If you tightened the endlinks while it was in the air, it's way too tight and could possibly be hitting the control arm or something else.
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DOOOOH!
Didn't even think of that!
That's like your Queen getting taken by a pawn in a game of chess.
Didn't see that coming! LOL!!!
 
industrialfish said:
The front sway bar. If you tightened the endlinks while it was in the air, it's way too tight and could possibly be hitting the control arm or something else.
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It kinda made a clunking noise when I went over a wide speed bump when the suspension compressed though. The lower pinch bolts were tighten with a impact gun, so I'm sure those aren't loose. The top 3 on each tower were tightened to 75lbs. It's just feels like loose bolts somewhere on the strut assembly. But I will check the rack bolts and sway bar endlinks while the car is on the ground.

There is very little play in the steering but that was like that before I replaced all the suspension and that didn't have a clunking noise then.
 
Right there with you on this one. Replaced almost everything. Struts are next for me, then probably poly bushings all round. Tried the steering shaft and that was a bust. I don't feel it in the wheel, just the pedal/body of the car. More of like a pop at acceleration and braking. Let me know if you find anything and I'll keep you posted on mine! haha
 
if you feel this on the floor check your sub frame bolts, might be loose or the bolt might be rusted off or to the point its loose.
 
wstefan20 said:
Right there with you on this one. Replaced almost everything. Struts are next for me, then probably poly bushings all round. Tried the steering shaft and that was a bust. I don't feel it in the wheel, just the pedal/body of the car. More of like a pop at acceleration and braking. Let me know if you find anything and I'll keep you posted on mine! haha
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Sure thing, will do.
 


Scottydoggs said:
if you feel this on the floor check your sub frame bolts, might be loose or the bolt might be rusted off or to the point its loose.
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To be honest it sounds like it comes from a little higher up than at the steering knuckle level. That's why I thought maybe it's those 3 bolts on the strut tower. But there's a possibility that it's something down low and resonating through and making it sound like it's coming from up top.
 
Scottydoggs said:
if you feel this on the floor check your sub frame bolts, might be loose or the bolt might be rusted off or to the point its loose.
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Thanks scotty. I was really hoping this was the problem too, especially since I used the subframe method to remove my transmission. I'll take another look at it, but I used lock tight and torqued to 133 ft. lb. and it's on there firm. All bushings replaced everything torqued to spec, all mounts replaced except upper, turned upper, solid trans mount, only thing I can think at this point is the struts which are beyond shot!
 
same deal, after tranny swap i had a clunk in the floor, one sub frame bolt took another turn and a half, no more clunk. it was only when giving it gas and hard braking.
 
Scottydoggs said:
same deal, after tranny swap i had a clunk in the floor, one sub frame bolt took another turn and a half, no more clunk. it was only when giving it gas and hard braking.
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Hm... I might have to try tightening them some more this weekend... I think you're right, it didn't start till I did the transmission. I'll post what happens.
 
I think I posted a thread about this also, and I still have yet to mess with things. It clunks when turning. I bought and installed brand new Moog quick struts, and immediately right after installation, I had a clunk that I did not have before. The only bolts removed or loosened are the two to the spindle, and the 3 to the top of the strut. But I am thinking maybe the bushing is gone in the rear of the lower control arm toward the back of the car. To get these new struts in, you really have to flex the control arm down a lot. So I'm wondering if it damaged the bushing. But I was given some suggestions as to zero in on the issue...see if the clunk is there when stationary, with the front of the car off the ground and turn the wheels, etc.
 


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