Ball joint replacement > front end clunk? The verdict:

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Sep 13, 2008 | 01:00 PM

SparTTan

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Ball joint replacement > front end clunk? The verdict:

Nope. The clunk is still there when turning in reverse. Replacing the ball joints didn't get rid of it. I asked the shop doing the alignment to look it over and they said they didn't see anything that would be causing it.

So the mystery continues...

Sep 13, 2008 | 01:06 PM

TTinCT

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Rich, you ever replaced the rear control arm bushings???

They do have a tendency to wear......more so if you have an aftermarket suspension...just a thought.

Sep 13, 2008 | 01:10 PM

SparTTan

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The rear bushings on the front control arms?

No, never replaced those. But do those have any movement when turning the steering? Seems they only move up and down with suspension travel -- would they have any affect to the steering?

I need to see a diagram...

Sep 13, 2008 | 01:51 PM

TTGram

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When replacing my front rotors yesterday I noticed stress cracks....

in rear bushing on front control arms. They were worse on passenger side. Looks like time to get Defcon upgrade.

Sep 13, 2008 | 04:25 PM

GorTT

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two things >

First, the rears don't have 'much' to do with the defcons, other that that if you are replacing the rear bushes, you have the control arms out and it's easy to do the upgrade at the same time - which I presume is what you meant, and
Second, the rears cracked/fatigued won't cause the knock he's describing.

Sep 13, 2008 | 04:32 PM

GorTT

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I wouldn't think it would have been the ball joints >

you need to think about what's moving in that situation - could be the drive shaft/a link in there, or the struts, the tie rods, the end links, the swaybar mounting points, or even the subframe bolts if it's been screwed with and something has stripped. Does it knock only once when you back up or is it repetitive?

Sep 13, 2008 | 05:06 PM

SparTTan

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It's usually one larger knock and then sometimes a second, quieter knock

Only occurs when turning in reverse, such as pulling out of the garage in the morning or backing out of a parking space. It will sometimes, but not always, happen when pulling forward and turning, such as pulling forward from a parking space. Then it won't happen again until the next time I park the car.

I've replaced tie rods and ends, strut bushings and bearings, wheel bearings, and now the ball joints.

I replaced my steering rack about a year and a half ago, which involved lowering the subframe, but retorqued everything to spec and had a very reputable shop do the alignment afterwards, so I would assume no problems in that area.