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Clunking Noise after changing lower control arms

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2.3K views 6 replies 7 participants last post by  BrodieBruceLee  
#1 ·
Aloha,
I need some of your expertise help. I just changed out the lower control arms on both sides. Now when I turn the wheel all the way to the left as I am straightening out there would be a clunk noise coming from the driver side. No noise while going straight, or on slight turns or straight on speed bumps. Didn't try going over speed bumps while turning. The strange thing is, it doesn't do this all the time and so far it's only turning left, so it is a little hard to duplicate the noise. Did a quick look and I don't see anything out of the ordinary. To help narrow down the problem, I am asking for your folks help. Mahalo.
 
#3 ·
The clunks / creaking I dealt with was primarily due to the lower control arms and occurred primarily upon braking after first driving the vehicle. Before I completely eliminated it, I put in new struts (needed) and two new sway arm bushings (cheap and easy so why not). The noise and frequency was greatly reduced with those repairs but not eliminated until I replaced the lower control arms and I ended up simultaneously replacing the driver's side CV half axle for reasons not related to the clunk but I can't fully rule it out as a possible source because of the timing of the replacement.

With all that said, if your clunk is related to turning the wheel and your installation recheck is good, I would suggest spending more time noting the circumstances under which it occurs because it could be steering, suspension, or drivetrain related. Another clunk I dealt with was more of a single pop that I felt into the steering wheel as I turned left at certain intersections. That was the intermediate steering shaft issue and after replacement has never occurred again.
 
#6 ·
It could be that your intermediate steering shaft chose now to start sticking. I can't hear your clunk from here, and sound descriptions can be very misleading, so I would cross it off your list by doing the free "quick fix" which is disconnecting, telescoping in and out a few times, and reconnecting. This is done above the brake pedal... read up on it. And this IMS noise really, really does seem like it's under the car when it's actually happening under the dash.