Author Topic: Clunking noise in front end and car feels unstable  (Read 1778 times)

Offline Cuda101

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 4
Clunking noise in front end and car feels unstable
« on: September 02, 2013 - 05:15:10 PM »
I have a clunking sound in the front end of my Barracuda.   :pullinghair: :banghead:

Additionally it seems that the front end is somewhat "loose" and unstable at high speeds however it does track strait but become dynamically unstable when you move the steering wheel.

The clunking happens at different times. Often when backing up and I put the brakes on I hear a clunking noise coming from the front and. Then other times when I make a sharp turn I hear a clunking noise as the car begins to enter the turn.

All of the front end was rebuilt with all new bushings and ball joints. Moog offset bushings were used to give a bit more caster otherwise everything is stock rubber.

Specifically I first started off with polyurethane bushings and thought that clunking sound was perhaps the cross was sliding forward and aft on the polyurethane bushings.

So I have since disassemble the front end and replaced the polyurethane with rubber bushings.

The steering gear is a new firm feel level 2. I've checked that the power steering gearbox is mounted on tight.

I've tightened all of the suspension components. multiple times.

Front wheel bearings are tight. The car has front disc brakes and I've checked to see if the hardware was loose/undersized however it appears that they're tight

I've also checked the rear axle bearings and they are tight.

The tires are P245/50 R15 so that is a lot of rubber and they like to follow the ruts in the road.

Has anyone had this problem???

 :pullinghair: :banghead:




Offline torredcuda

  • Sr. Resident
  • ******
  • Posts: 6218
  • Epping NH joined 11/23/03
Re: Clunking noise in front end and car feels unstable
« Reply #1 on: September 02, 2013 - 05:25:22 PM »
Bushings and balljoints were replaced but how about the pitman arm, idler arm, tie rods, center link etc.? Jack up the front end one side at a time and try to move the wheel up /down and left/right and see if there`s any movement.
Jeff
72 Barracuda 340/4spd  Torred
70 roadrunner 383/auto  In-Violet
70 Duster 360/auto drag car  (Petty Blue soon)
04 Ram 2500 5.7 Hemi

Offline brads70

  • C-C.com Expert
  • ********
  • Posts: 18747
Re: Clunking noise in front end and car feels unstable
« Reply #2 on: September 02, 2013 - 09:08:27 PM »
Did you replace the strut rod bushings?  How's the LCA pin sleeve in the k-frame? They have been known to crack and become loose.
Here is a good post to explain what I mean regarding the  pin sleeve in the k-frame.
http://www.protouringmopar.com/showthread.php?1263-LCA-Pinhole-FAILURE
Brad
1970 Challenger 451stroker/4L60 auto OD
Barrie,Ontario,Canada
Proud to own one of the best cars ever made!!!!!

My restoration thread 
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=59072.0
 My handling upgrade post
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=73985.0

Offline BadJoey

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 982
Re: Clunking noise in front end and car feels unstable
« Reply #3 on: September 02, 2013 - 10:21:01 PM »
'The clunking happens at different times. Often when backing up and I put the brakes on I hear a clunking noise"

Hate asking this but have you checked the u joints ?

Offline dodj

  • Sr. Resident
  • ******
  • Posts: 6197
Re: Clunking noise in front end and car feels unstable
« Reply #4 on: September 02, 2013 - 10:29:34 PM »
The 'clunking' when you touch the brakes makes me think - as Brad mentioned - strut rods.
Check your shock mounting bolts too.
Scott
1973 Challenger  440 4 spd 
2007.5 3500 6.7 Cummins Diesel, Anarchy tuned.
Good friends don't let friends do stupid things. ........alone.

Offline ChallengerHK

  • Sr. Resident
  • ******
  • Posts: 7338
  • I'm working on it - No, really
Re: Clunking noise in front end and car feels unstable
« Reply #5 on: September 03, 2013 - 12:26:34 AM »
I'm thinking strut rods as well. Almost certainly something that was changed and/or loosened during the rebuild.


"She'll make point five past light speed. She may not look like much, but she's got it where it counts, and I've made a lot of special modifications myself."

- Han Solo, Star Wars

Advice Thread - Taking Pictures Of Cars

Offline Chryco Psycho

  • Administrator
  • C-C.com Guru
  • *****
  • Posts: 36620
  • 70 Challenger R/T SE 70 tube Chassis Cuda now sold
Re: Clunking noise in front end and car feels unstable
« Reply #6 on: September 03, 2013 - 01:30:36 AM »
Were the lower control arm bushings changed & were the correct bushings installed , I ran onto one car where they used a poly leaf spring bushing in the LCA , you coul dnot align the car it would change every time the car moved

Challenger - You`ll wish You Hadn`t

Offline HP2

  • Resident
  • *****
  • Posts: 4478
Re: Clunking noise in front end and car feels unstable
« Reply #7 on: September 03, 2013 - 10:28:38 AM »
If you've been through two sets of bushings and checked all your nuts and bolts with no evidence of a problem, I'd now start looking at the possibility of things being cracked, or welds being broken. I'd also include the rear suspension and its mounting points as well. We once had a member with a similar condition that turned out to be a broken spring hanger.