front strut/spring 'clunking'

[Papa Rad17]

drivers side front spring seems to be little weaker then rest, im assuming this is attributed the 'thunk' it will make when cornering and hitting a bump. I know I have read about this before but apparently im not searching for the right thing. help please, need to get this fixed.

[[ion] C2]

mount probably

[a.graham52]

Probably mount. Also could be the rear bushing on the control arm. Know for tearing or pulling though and then the control arm bangs on the frame

[Papa Rad17]

Probably mount. Also could be the rear bushing on the control arm. Know for tearing or pulling though and then the control arm bangs on the frame

After driving it today with the windows down something is definitely rattling around and a bump or cornering will give the louder 'thunk'. ^that sounds very plausible for the way its acting. I should be able to get under there tomorrow and check it out.

[03glgold]

Mine did that and i am pretty sure it is mounts...my car stopped doing it with my new tires on 16" wheels whereas i had 15's...i dont know what caused it to stop

[Redog]

I had that issue with the rear right mount on my car. With my hearing, I thought it was coming from the C pillar :ninja:

[Vella's Alero]

When I had mine and had that sound, it was the mounts. Those would be the first things to check.

[Frosttea]

I had that problem then one day I turned and a really big clunk came turns out my spring was some how spread open and it bend and rips my tire apart take the tire off and check that.I feel lucky that it happened to me coming outta a driveway and not on the highway

[Papa Rad17]

I had that problem then one day I turned and a really big clunk came turns out my spring was some how spread open and it bend and rips my tire apart take the tire off and check that.I feel lucky that it happened to me coming outta a driveway and not on the highway

wow...

Checked it out today, it is the strut mount.

[falloutboy]

darn it, wanted to say it may be the mount too.
Hmm well if you're already in there, why not change the whole strut with a new mount. Kinda the same work.

[Papa Rad17]

It has to wait until I have the funds unfortunately. The front end will get new mounts and struts on both sides, rotors and brakes, and paint the calipers when I get to it.

[falloutboy]

if you haven't planned something fancy, there should be a complete strut with mounts and shits and giggles, from monroe and another company.

I think that would be a cost effective way to get the job done.

[zzyzzx]

I had that problem then one day I turned and a really big clunk came turns out my spring was some how spread open and it bend and rips my tire apart take the tire off and check that.I feel lucky that it happened to me coming outta a driveway and not on the highway

Pics?

[zzyzzx]

I had that problem then one day I turned and a really big clunk came turns out my spring was some how spread open and it bend and rips my tire apart take the tire off and check that.I feel lucky that it happened to me coming outta a driveway and not on the highway

Lots of people complaining about the springs in these cars over on http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/
Not a lot of complaints about that here though. Anyway, I have already concluded that if replacing struts on these cars use a quick strut because the OE mounts are not particularly good either.

[Papa Rad17]

besides the mounts being shot not all of my sound was coming from them. a good part of it is the rack and pinion moving rather dramatically. About any inch of play in it and tie rod bushings are shot. car goes in next week for pretty much all new steering from the column to knuckle.

[[ion] C2]

yikes$$$$$$$

[zzyzzx]

Are the springs breaking in area where they use road salt or does this happen everywhere?

This person in Boston blamed potholes:
http://www.virtualroadside.com/blog/index.php/2008/04/26/installing-monroe-quick-struts-on-my-grand-am/
http://www.virtualroadside.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/100_3187.jpg

It's still unclear to me if it's just the front springs or all 4 that tend to brake.