Clunking noise in front suspension

I have a 2001 GC with 70,000 miles and when I turn into my driveway I get
this clunking noise. I have replaced the sway bar links but this made no
difference. The tie rod ends are not loose. It does not wander on the road
like it has loose ball joints. I would like to get rid of this noise though.

 

i'd say you need to check your lower ball joints with 70.000 on it it's
time to replace them if know won has ever replaced them...good luck...

 

There are two sway bar bushings that do wear out that will make that
noise. They are two rubber blocks that attach the sway bar to the
engine cradle - inexpensive, dealer or aftermarket.

Bill Putney
(To reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my
address with the letter 'x')

 

yes i agree 2 the block bushings..and there is stablilizer links and
bushings also..

 

He already said he replaced the end links. Not sure if that vehicle has
the ball joint type end links (like the LH cars) or the more traditional
rod and bushing type - but in any case, he indicated he already did those.

Bill Putney
(To reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my
address with the letter 'x')

 

Bill
They have the ball joint type links. NAPA has avery good replacement (they
call it the premium) part. It has hex hold points and grease fittings and is
much beefier than the oem ones. They also have bushings that imo are much
better than oem

 

TRW/Moog makes both parts. They are now the same company, but both
parts are still made and shipped under the same part number
interchangeably. I order two of the same part for my Concorde and got
one of each under the same part number - boxes were identical except one
said "Made in Mexico", the other "Made in USA". The Moog one is the one
with the zerk fitting - part of Moog's "Problem Solver" line.

They also have bushings that imo are much

You mean like the ones I show here?:
http://300mclub.org/forums/viewtopic.php?t=8081&start=0

Bill Putney
(To reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my
address with the letter 'x')

 

I used NAPA sway bar links when I replaced the links. I bought this Van new
and it has never been wrecked. I don't want to drop this crossmember
reinforcement piece but will if I have too. I do have the FSM. I always buy
one when I buy a new vehicle. I have looked at the sway bar bushings without
taking anything apart. They look OK but, I know that is not a very good way
to inspect these bushings. I was hoping this was a common problem and
someone would have a good idea on this one.

 

Yeah except the NAPA ones are light blue. I do think they are a little
"harder" as the cornering seems firmed up on every van I used them on.

 

What do you mean drop the reinforcement? There is no need for it to do
bushings.

 

Well yes and no - they ("RAMCOA") use different color material in the
bushing parts for the different sizes (to fit different size sway bars)
- I'm guessing to help them visually distinguish and avoid parts mix ups
in their plants. This red/blue thing came up later (on page 2) in that
300M Club thread that I linked.

Bill Putney
(To reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my
address with the letter 'x')

 

The bushings can be checked without disassembly: pick up one side of
the car and try to "steer" the tire. If it moves, the bushings are
bad.

Removing the reinforcement (I presume you mean the one going between
the strut towers?) is no big deal, and is the difference between the
bushing reinforcement being an easy afternoon and being impossible.

 

I don't think that tells you anything about the sway bar bushings.

Bill Putney
(To reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my
address with the letter 'x')

 

You are correct. I read too quickly, and my whole response was based
on steering rack bushings. Never mind....

 

I appreciate you guys thinking about this but I guess I am going to live
with it until the weather gets a little better. When I pull into the garage
the road ice starts dripping and it kinds of kills your enthusiasm to do
much investigating. We have two more of these vans at work and the Dodge
dealer has put new steering racks in both of them as well as some other
parts and they still make this clunking noise. Thanks for your suggestions
though!

 

the bushing's wear in such a way that appear to be ok but are wearing in a
eggshaped fashion allowing the swaybar to move up and down within the
bushingsand a klunk/knock noise results

 

I am going to replace these sway bar bushings next. I read that you can get several different types of material to do this with. I am not going to go back with the factory stuff. Should I buy from NAPA, Advance or AutoZone? Thanks,
the bushing's wear in such a way that appear to be ok but are wearing in a eggshaped fashion allowing the swaybar to move up and down within the bushingsand a klunk/knock noise results
George Rhude wrote:

I used NAPA sway bar links when I replaced the links. I bought this Van new
and it has never been wrecked. I don't want to drop this crossmember
reinforcement piece but will if I have too. I do have the FSM. I always buy
one when I buy a new vehicle. I have looked at the sway bar bushings without
taking anything apart. They look OK but, I know that is not a very good way
to inspect these bushings. I was hoping this was a common problem and
someone would have a good idea on this one.

 

I don't know this for sure, but I think all the aftermarket parts stroes
stock the same brand - the name molded into the ones I got at Advance
(shown in the link I posted earlier:
http://300mclub.org/forums/viewtopic.php?t=8081&start=0) is "RAMCOA"(I
don't remember if the box is labeled with that name or if they are boxed
under some name brand like, i.e., TRW, etc.)

Bill Putney
(To reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my
address with the letter 'x')

 

what ever u want i favor the urethane myself but i also use silglide
lube on the bushing's so they don't wear as fast

 

I replaced these sway bar bushings Saturday morning with bushings I bought from Advance Auto, "TRW HB1783". I took the factory bushings out and they looked to be in good shape. I put the new bushings in and it fixed this clunking noise when you drove on a bumpy road. I did grease the bushings with high temp grease. At times things that look good are not.
what ever u want i favor the urethane myself but i also use silglide lube on the bushing's so they don't wear as fast
George Rhude wrote:

I am going to replace these sway bar bushings next. I read that you can get several different types of material to do this with. I am not going to go back with the factory stuff. Should I buy from NAPA, Advance or AutoZone? Thanks,
George Rhude wrote:

I used NAPA sway bar links when I replaced the links. I bought this Van new
and it has never been wrecked. I don't want to drop this crossmember
reinforcement piece but will if I have too. I do have the FSM. I always buy
one when I buy a new vehicle. I have looked at the sway bar bushings without
taking anything apart. They look OK but, I know that is not a very good way
to inspect these bushings. I was hoping this was a common problem and
someone would have a good idea on this one.