Clunking/Binding noise.. Help

**BlkdoutS4** · 08-29-2008 11:53 PM

so i recently took a little roadtrip down to San Diego and on the second day started hearing a clunking or binding noise coming from the front of the car.

the noise only happens when i'm coming to a stop (like right before i actually come to a complete stop) or when i'm coming out of a stop at very low speeds.

it happens with or without the brakes applied so i dont think it is the brakes. and it doesnt happen over bumps anymore that on flat ground...

i'm gonna jack up the car but any input or things to look for would be great.

P.S. the car is on stock suspension and stock wheels with 98k miles

Thanks!

**infinkc** · 08-30-2008 06:53 AM

prob an upper control arm, if you havent had one bad at 98k then consider yourself lucky

**BlkdoutS4** · 08-30-2008 11:41 AM

ya i bought the car with 95k and i'm not sure if the guy before me had them replaced. i'll check the records...

anything else?

**IamEzraM** · 08-30-2008 01:17 PM

upper control arm or a lower control arm ball joint failure, check the condition of the bushings on all control arms aswell, once the rubber wears away, it is metal grinding on metal, not to mention your suspension falls out of alignment.

ball joints can be checked by putting lateral pressure on them via a long wrench, and feeling the joint for abnormal movement. You may also want to check your wheel bearings, they will grind when they start to completely fail

I had a failed ball joint for almost a year, it would make a very faint rattle/bump/grind noise at low speeds

**BlkdoutS4** · 08-30-2008 08:16 PM

awesome thanks!

**audiwop** · 08-30-2008 09:34 PM

I had that exact same thing happening to my car and I thought it was my upper control arms as well. It turned out that my motormounts weren't tight enough from when my stage 3 setup was installed. They took about six turns on the nut and now that exact same sound that you are describing is gone. I would check to see how your mounts are as well as the control arms....

**Boris** · 08-30-2008 09:54 PM

I wonder if thats my problem. I have changed all the control arms and still have noise..

**audiwop** · 08-31-2008 12:14 AM

^^^I would check that boris, if it feels like a popping sound when starting and stopping then that would be a good place to look.

**BlkdoutS4** · 08-31-2008 01:58 AM

Originally Posted by audiwop

I had that exact same thing happening to my car and I thought it was my upper control arms as well. It turned out that my motormounts weren't tight enough from when my stage 3 setup was installed. They took about six turns on the nut and now that exact same sound that you are describing is gone. I would check to see how your mounts are as well as the control arms....

i never thought of the motor mounts, but that makes sense. i'm not stage 3 yet only stage 2 but i bet the same thing could have happened. thanks!