Front suspension clunk

[mcarr1243]

I have a '03 VIbe, I had it since it was new. I recently Added bg lowering springs to it. I replaced the entire front end basically; Struts, strut mounts, ball joints, tie rod ends, cv joints, the sway bar links, and even the control arms. I have been have a clunking sound in the front that i could feel in the floor at times, especially after the car has sat for a few hours, or when I go slow I can feel and hear the clunks. I have went over every bolt and made sure they are tight. I have also heard that the bg's are too soft and tend to bottom out. Any Suggestions to find or fix this clunking sound?

[sideshowalan]

The only wear item you didn't mention are the sway bar bushings. There are two and they hold the sway bar against the bottom of the car. The rubber can wear down and allow slop in the sway bar.

[mcarr1243]

That is the only item I haven't looked at, I will have to inspect them. I replaced the bump stops and dust boot, I did not cut the bump stops. Would that cause the clunk? I also think i installed the bump stop back wards, I Donot have the dust boot over the bump stop, but I have it sticking out of the dust boot. Could this cause that clunk?

[sideshowalan]

The sound could easily be the struts bottoming out excessively. Especially if you're using stock height bump stops, the struts will have less travel room. I wouldn't know how to test for it though.

How many miles by the way? Auto or manual?

[mcarr1243]

It has 87, 000 miles on it and it is manual

[09SnowyVibe]

More than likely the intermediate steering shaft is dry on the lube. It producess the heavy rattle you feel in the steering wheel.I am about to atattempt to take mine apart and grease it. Will keep you posted.

[CharlesinGA]

More than likely the intermediate steering shaft is dry on the lube. It producess the heavy rattle you feel in the steering wheel.I am about to atattempt to take mine apart and grease it. Will keep you posted.

You have an '09 which is quite different from '08 and earlier. I believe you have the electric power steering, which is the cause of the clunk in these cars.

'08 and earlier, the sway bar is bolted down to the K frame and could be loose. Truthfully, it sounds like the OP is experiencing what almost all people who lower their cars experience when they mess with the suspension ride height, is that it is bottoming out.

You can see a number of pics of the suspension in my TRD sway bar swap out thread.

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Charles