Severely Clunk Stumped!

Davide33 · **Joined:** Wed Nov 25, 2020 8:44 am **Posts:** 29

I'm 60 years old and have worked on cars and trucks my entire life, but this one has me stumped. I've owned my 2005 Jeep Liberty CRD for about 2 years. In that time I have constantly trying to discover the cause of clunk I hear coming from the front end. Primarily from the left side but occasionally from right. The clunk is not subtle. Its very noticeable. I can get it to do it almost every time, if at low speed I apply the brakes hard and then release. The clunk happens as brake is released. I also hear it clearly if I go over railroad crossings or after a low speed sharp turn (backing out of a parking spot) even when brakes are not applied. It does in in 2wd or 4wd. Front bearings roll smooth with no play. From the inside it sounds like its coming from the floorboard area. I've not posted this before because I'm aware that a clunk in the front end can have so many causes. But I have literally gotten to the point where I have replaced the entire front suspension. None of this worked changed the clunk at all. Here's what I have replaced.

Upper and lower control arms and ball joints
Front struts/coil spring assembly's
Steering rack and tie rod ends
Sway bar bushings and end links
Brake pads as well as left brake caliper
Motor Mounts

I have not replaced the CV joints. The seem smooth without excess play.

I've checked, rechecked, and re-rechecked all related bolts and connections related the installed parts.

I'm open to suggestions

WWDiesel · **Posted:** Wed Dec 14, 2022 4:08 pm

Years ago I chased a clunk in the front end. Ended up being one of the ball joints on the upper right control arm. Best way to check them is to jack up front end until tires are off the ground, then put a big screwdriver or pry at under tire and slightly pickup tire until pressure is off joints and then wiggle tire and watch ball joints for any motion.
Remember that the upper arms are bolted to the body, so any movement will transmit into the cabin.

Davide33 · **Joined:** Wed Nov 25, 2020 8:44 am **Posts:** 29

I can take another look at it, but I have already replaced both upper and lower control arms as well as the ball joints. Didn't seem to make any difference.

layback40 · **Posted:** Wed Dec 14, 2022 7:12 pm

Davide33 wrote:

I can take another look at it, but I have already replaced both upper and lower control arms as well as the ball joints. Didn't seem to make any difference.

What were the ball joints like after you took them out?
Do you have the exhaust bumping on the underside of the jeep or something else?
Are the rack mounts tight? Do you feel it through the steering wheel?
Back trans mount ok?

Davide33 · **Joined:** Wed Nov 25, 2020 8:44 am **Posts:** 29

What were the ball joints like after you took them out?
Do you have the exhaust bumping on the underside of the jeep or something else?
Are the rack mounts tight? Do you feel it through the steering wheel?
Back trans mount ok?

The ball joints were worn but not seriously.
Exhaust rubbing usually rattles. This is a definite Pop or Clunk. I have laid on my back under there for hours looking for anything that could making the sound.
Rack mounts are torqued tight (I've replaced the rack) Clunked before I replaced it and clunked after I replaced it.
I do not feel it through the steering wheel
I replaced the back trans mount when I replaced the motor mounts. The trans mount made a bad rattling noise at idle before I replaced it.

I'm looking at getting a go pro with a magnet mount so I can move it around and try to see what's going on when I hear the noise.

Davide33 · **Joined:** Wed Nov 25, 2020 8:44 am **Posts:** 29

UPDATE: I finally got to the bottom of my problem. I purchased a Go Pro camera with a magnet mount and placed it all over the suspension system as drove around the block until I found the problem. Even though I replaced the upper control arms and tightened them down (impossible to get a torque wrench in there) it apparently wasn't tight enough. Drivers side was moving. Tightened both down hard and problem is solved. Should have gotten the Go Pro first. Great diagnostic tool that could have saved me a lot of money.

Spike74563 · **Joined:** Wed Mar 15, 2023 8:46 am **Posts:** 1

having the same problem --now I know where to look --Many thanks for posting

Severely Clunk Stumped!

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