Clunking sound.

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May 23, 2006 | 09:03 PM

Railfan

Thread Starter

Burning Brakes

Joined: Jul 2004

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From: Traverse City Michigan

Clunking sound.

Whenever I drive my 99 coupe over rough roads (patched streets, series of tar stips, etc.) there is a clunking sound from the front end...one clunk for every bump in the road. Recently, I had new tires installed, so the car was up on jacks. This clunking sound started right after this. Could there be any connection? Has anyone else experienced this? Any ideas?

Thanks.
Railfan

May 23, 2006 | 09:53 PM

gpotski

Race Director

Joined: Jul 2004

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From: Ohio

Clunking can be the sway bar endlinks need torqued to proper spec.

Also check the sway bar bushings...they may need lubricated.

May 23, 2006 | 11:36 PM

JameyTurner

Too Much Fun

Joined: Sep 2004

Posts: 1,691

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From: Florence, AL

interesting...I am having the same thing...except I had ac compressor and harmonic balancer replaced...but have same sound.

Also, while driving it feels like something is knocking/clunking. It doesn't do it all the time but randomly, and when I hear it I can also feel it in the steering wheel a LITTLE bit....

Any ideas anybody?

Didn't mean to hijack thread.......have you noticed anything similar to what I am?

May 24, 2006 | 06:35 AM

Railfan

Thread Starter

Burning Brakes

Joined: Jul 2004

Posts: 831

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From: Traverse City Michigan

Quote:

Originally Posted by gpotski

Clunking can be the sway bar endlinks need torqued to proper spec.

Also check the sway bar bushings...they may need lubricated.

Thanks gpotski. I will mention this to the tech guy today who is going to look at it (and probably eat his donut while he is looking and waiting for it to do something while up on the hoist). Actually, I hope I get someone who knows their stuff.
Thanks again.
Railfan

May 24, 2006 | 08:31 AM

Mad_Maxxx

Burning Brakes

Joined: Jun 2005

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From: TN

Cruise-In VII Veteran

Quote:

Originally Posted by Railfan

The clunking and tire changing is probably a coincidence, but it would be safe to make sure the wheels are torqued correctly (100 ft-lb. in a star pattern). A noise like this can be hard to pinpoint, but the above posts may be correct. Also, have them check the front end thoroughly and have a qualified tech go on a test drive with you(the key word is qualified

)Good luck!

May 24, 2006 | 09:27 AM

jedicowboy

Melting Slicks

Joined: Jun 2002

Posts: 2,854

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Quote:

Originally Posted by gpotski

Clunking can be the sway bar endlinks need torqued to proper spec.

Also check the sway bar bushings...they may need lubricated.

May 24, 2006 | 11:42 AM

Railfan

Thread Starter

Burning Brakes

Joined: Jul 2004

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From: Traverse City Michigan

Well, I just returned from having the car worked on by a "GM Certified" technician. Not a corvette technician, but what can you do in a smaller town? Anyway, he couldn't find anything wrong underneath with the front suspension. He didn't indicate if he adjusted the sway bar or lubed the bushings, even though I left him a note asking for that. Most of the time, I am able to talk directly to the technician, but he was unavailable this time. He did state that the alignment needed to be adjusted (toe in).
So, after a test drive, the sound is not nearly as pronounced as before (couldn't really hear it at all), but I will take the car to the one spot of the road that always produces the sound later this afternoon, and see what happens.
As a side note, the center cap on my chrome wagon wheels broke, so I ordered a new one from West Coast Corvettes. Anyway, while I was in the Chevy garage, I asked what a new center cap would cost and the price they quoted me was 500% more than West Coast Corvette!!!

Makes me wish I could find an independent mechanic that was knowledgable, reliable, and certified, on Corvettes. Sure hate having only one place to go for service.

Railfan

Last edited by Railfan; May 24, 2006 at 05:01 PM.

May 24, 2006 | 05:03 PM

Railfan

Thread Starter

Burning Brakes

Joined: Jul 2004

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From: Traverse City Michigan

Took it for a second drive with more exhausting test. So far...no more clunking sound. Will keep my fingers crossed for the next few days. Could it have been the adjustment on the wheel alignment? I wouldn't think so, but could it have been something to do with that?

Railfan