Clunk when accelerating and turning

[thekalman]

Ok, I have this strange problem that's developed over the last month or so (as the weather has gotten colder).

I get a clunk coming from the front end when accelerating and turning. Here's the details:

-Car is a 1996 SE with 172,000 Km.
-I can usually feel the clunk through the pedal, and sometimes through the floor.
-It varies from rather pronounced to barly noticable.
-It only happens when I'm accelerating. It doesn't have to be a hard acceleration -it did it twice while I was driving up my laneway this morning, and there's no difference between hard/light acceleration.
-It only happens when the car is turning. I've never gotten it on a stright acceleration. It doesn't matter how much the car is turning.. wheel slightly cocked or full blown corner.
-There is no difference between rate of turn, rate of acceleration, and severity of the clunk.
-It usually happens shortly after I apply throttle (that is, after the car starts to accelerate). There is no relation between RPM or Speed and the clunk.
-There is no relation between shifting and the clunk.
-I have not, as of yet, felt it through the steering column.
-There is no noticeable difference in the way the car handles. Still corners as well, steering is the same, etc.


-There has been no recent work done on the car short of an oil change.
-In the last year, front and rear suspension has been done (entire strut and shock assemblies replaced almost a year ago), 1 ball joint replaced, other one lubed.
-Brake lines were redone, master cylinder replaced, rear drums replaced.

Here's what I've checked:
-Engine mounts seem fine. Nothing cracked, engine moves normally when throttle is applied.
-Tie rod ends seem fine.

Here's what I'm curious about:
-Transmission mounts. How do I check?
-My transmission is due for a flush and filter change. That's next on the before-winter maintenance list.

If you guys have any other suggestions on what I could check it would be great.

[willwren]

Upper strut mounts/bearings are your most likely culprit IMO. Lube them in place and see if it helps. I'm assuming from your symptoms that they were not replace when you did the suspension work last year.

[thekalman]

I believe the mounts were replaced as well. I'll check anyway though.

[repinS]

sounds exactly like what I've been having. Entire *dang* front end is new (struts, strut mounts, brake calipers, tie rod ends, ball joints, outer sway links, CV shafts), and the subframe mounts and lower control arm bushings are solid with NO play. ALL mounts are solid, rear trans mount was checked in July and the dogbone was removed and deemed perfectly solid. Front trans and torque axis mounts are fairly new.

After a few months the strut mounts were removed again and lubed, and carefully reassembled. No change.

I've dropped almost/over 1000 bucks (lost count to be honest) and I'm just living with it now. It's been through THREE drag days and I'm currently 500km from home in Michigan.

Not saying your fight will be the same, but it's been a real frustrating one for me... Especially considering that the car otherwise drives PERFECT. Maybe I should make my way up to Barrie/you come down here and we can put heads together.

edit: Yes, I threw a lot of parts at it, but many were somewhat but not entirely worn upon removal/inspection - it wouldn't make sense to re-use the old part - and each time I'm thinking 'yeah, this has go to be it.' :(

[thekalman]

I could live with the clunk if I new what the heck it was (15 year old car after all).. not knowing annoys me. I don't like the thought of Impending Catastrophic Failure of Doom.

[tripscarcare95]

Have you checked the engine mount bolts, they are kind of hidden under the mount and are bolted to the side of the engine bay "frame". They are located almost in front of the radiator over flow bottle. Mine somehow backed out over time and I re tightend and havent had any clunk since. I put all the same parts in as Repin with no succes until a few months back. Maybe thats it? Wish I new that before spending all the money

[thekalman]

No, I didn't check those. Thanks for the suggestion I'll look at it tonight.

[sonoma_zr2]

have you checked the sub frame bushings, washers, and bolts. most people have at least one bad one. there are six, three on each side of the subframe.

[azu]

I had that noise from a bad transmission mount on my 95.

[swiles]

sounds exactly like what I've been having. Entire *dang* front end is new (struts, strut mounts, brake calipers, tie rod ends, ball joints, outer sway links, CV shafts), and the subframe mounts and lower control arm bushings are solid with NO play. ALL mounts are solid, rear trans mount was checked in July and the dogbone was removed and deemed perfectly solid. Front trans and torque axis mounts are fairly new.

After a few months the strut mounts were removed again and lubed, and carefully reassembled. No change.

I've dropped almost/over 1000 bucks (lost count to be honest) and I'm just living with it now. It's been through THREE drag days and I'm currently 500km from home in Michigan.

Not saying your fight will be the same, but it's been a real frustrating one for me... Especially considering that the car otherwise drives PERFECT. Maybe I should make my way up to Barrie/you come down here and we can put heads together.

edit: Yes, I threw a lot of parts at it, but many were somewhat but not entirely worn upon removal/inspection - it wouldn't make sense to re-use the old part - and each time I'm thinking 'yeah, this has go to be it.' :(

did you change the strutmount bearings

[repinS]

By strut mount removal and re-lubrication I refer to the whole assembly, bearing included. Either way, the bearings themselves are about 6 months old.

[swiles]

ok i must say i just had the same problem by any chance did you take a look at you lower control arm bushings?

[willwren]

swiles, this topic is 4 months old. We can only assume the OP either lost interest or already repaired the problem. Please don't dig up older topics.

[repinS]

or already repaired the problem.

By buying a G8 GT!

Locking this. Please start a new thread, swiles