Clunking noise from C4S front suspension

[General_Lee]

Hi guys

I have a 2003 C4S. A few months ago it started to make a clunking noise whenever my left front wheel go over a small bump.

My mechanic couldn't pinpoint where the noise was coming from. He said nothing seemed to be loose and everything is in the right place. So he suggested a new lower-control arm and wishbone, saying that the bushings might have gone bad.

I am not totally convinced but I bought the parts anyway.

so I went under the car yesterday with a pry bar and see if I could locate the problem. Here's what I found. There's no play in any of the suspension members. (The sway bar drop links are brand new, by the way. I just recently changed them) What I did find was that the left front axle could be moved left to right (along the axle) by about 1/4 inch. And when I pulled it towards the wheel carrier side real hard it would hit a end-stop and make a metal clunking noise. It made that same sound as if you were hitting your brake rotor with a hammer.

The right front axle is rock solid, no play at all.

So, intuitively, if they are not behaving the same way, then one of them has to be bad, correct? is there supposed to be any play at all in the axles when they are correctly mounted?

Thanks.

Dave

[General_Lee]

nope it wasn't the lower control arm and the wishbone. Just put the new ones in yesterday and the clunk is still there.

[Stakeman]

I've had this same problem for a while. I've searched the forums and have had the car up on jacks several times and can't find anything! I hate throwing money at it if I'm not sure where the problem is. If anyone feels like chiming in I'd be glad to hear from your experiences as well. And yes I've checked the usual suspects, drop links ect...