Clunking sound when driving over rough road - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

rob1005 · 03-02-2009, 05:27 PM

Hey guys I stumbled over this site trying to find an answer to my problem i've been having. I have a question regarding my 97 corolla's suspension. A few months ago I started getting an odd clunk or two from the left front side of my car when starting from a stop, or slowing down to a stop. I've been putting it off but now its gradually getting worse and I'm getting the clunking sound when I hit bumps or drive over rough road. I was wondering what I should be looking for when I take the wheel off. My best guess is either the control arm bushings or ball joint. How would I check for play here. Thanks!

Bitter · 03-02-2009, 07:27 PM

could also be sway bar link, possibly a tierod end. you need to shake it all down and load the suspension on a jackstand. raise the car one side at a time and lower it onto a jack stand under the end of the control arm with the wheel on. that loads the suspension and allows you to shake it around and feel for a bad balljoint, bad tierod, etc.

toysyoda · 03-03-2009, 02:01 AM

is it more like a popping sound?. mine pops everytime i pull outta the driveway or park then move it again. like a bar or something popping back into place. i have a funny feeling this is an issue on all 7th gen models.

***PhatRoyale*** · 03-03-2009, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toysyoda

is it more like a popping sound?. mine pops everytime i pull outta the driveway or park then move it again. like a bar or something popping back into place. i have a funny feeling this is an issue on all 7th gen models.

mine doesn't do that.

snigma · 03-03-2009, 01:11 PM

Ever have your car transported? Mine clunked going over rough roads, and I found out that they left a hook in one of the towing links.

Sounds stupid, but worth a shot.

rob1005 · 03-03-2009, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toysyoda

is it more like a popping sound?. mine pops everytime i pull outta the driveway or park then move it again. like a bar or something popping back into place. i have a funny feeling this is an issue on all 7th gen models.

Yeah its sort of like a popping sound. Initially it started popping at times when the weight of the car would shift in a different direction (such as from a start, slowing down, or even while shifting lower gears). But yeah, now its getting worse at at a rapid pace. Will check it out as soon as I get some free time.