clunking sound at low speeds on right front side of car

[ned]

Hey Folks,

Was destined for the track this past weekend when a clunking sound was discovered at low speeds and over bumps....and does not show it self until after a few mins of driving. Also after parking, you can hear the clunk by pushing down on the fender.

So after some searches I was pretty sure I had a front control arm issue. Now after dis-assembly I am not so sure. I was expecting to see a bad bushing or something visibly wrong. The control arm looks brand new....I can't find anything wrong with bushing. But I did find some slack in the inner tie rod (universal)....that makes a clunking sound.

So my question is should I be able to see something wrong with the control arm bushing or could the slack in the inner tie rod be the whole problem? The problem that I have with the inner tie rod being the entire issue is...wouldn't I hear that all the time?.....I mean not requiring the car to be warm.

So I am looking for next steps.

Should I just replace the tie rods and then reassemble? Is there some other way to verify the other suspension components in question....before I start just paying for expensive parts and replacing; until the problem goes away?

Please advise

[theitalianflip]

I have been doing some research on this as well.

I have the same problem coming from the rear. I just replace both wheel bearings in the rear and saw nothing wrong with any of the linkage. The one think that I didnt touch that it could be is the rear track arms

I have noticed that this is a common problem. They say to check it, hit the track arms with a rubber mallet, it should rattle. If this is so, they are bad.

[dragonflyoh]

I have the same problem and taping with a mallet proves the arms are the culprit. I find there are OEM arms for $240/pair incl shipping and for $260/pair incl shipping I can get adjustable arms. Is there any reason for going with the adjustable arms? The arms and prices I mentioned are on ebay.

[nigel24]

sounds like your anti roll bar link

[dragonflyoh]

sounds like your anti roll bar link

Is the stabilizer and anti roll bar the same thing? I changed the links and mounting bushings on the stabilizer bar and that did not help.

[secretaznman4u]

I have this same issue. only when hot..and at low speeds, sounds liek the front end is about to fall apart. I had this issue on another car, ended up be sway bar bushing. Mines under warranty so I am planning on taking it in... i will post findings

[ninedragons986]

I have the same problem but it is in the rear and thought it was the lower control arm. I changed it. Same. I am going to change out the control arm link. As for front stabilization my 986 does have vibration at high speeds so I will add new sway bar bushings and both drop links.

On my truck a sway bar link was bad but I could not see it from inside the assembly. Once I changed the link all the vibration stopped. I noticed that much of my problem in the 986 seems to occur at low speed in the rear so it might be your drop links. That sway bar has a great deal to do with stability and vibration seems to point it out if it is coming from one side. I am going with the bushing mainly because it is the entire front end.

Edited May 23, 2019 by ninedragons986

[Terry-986-2.7-5spd]

Hi guys. Have any of you had any success with finding the source of this issue?  I have the same problem with the knocking noise in the front driver’s side but only once the car warms up, not when you first start driving. I’ve had two suspension specialists look at this and neither could work it out. I  changed the sway bar drop link with no success and I ordered and fitted a  new control arm (aka tuning fork) from European Parts Solutions but that didn’t work either. I’m loathe to continue trying to fix by replacement as it’s expensive. It also makes no sense to be a bushing or control arm as one would think that it would be apparent all the time, not just when warmed up, so I am wondering if the issue is in the strut itself that starts knocking after it warms up??

Edited March 7, 2020 by Terry-986-2.7-5spd
Updated after fitting new control arm.