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SVT Suspension "Clunk"
Posted: Thu Apr 16, 2009 5:38 pm
by oldoutboardjim
When I go over minor bumps (are there any 'minor' bumps this time of year!?!), I hear a clunking sound that sounds like the suspension. I jacked the car up and checked all wheels for play (none), as well as visually looking at some stuff. Zip.
Next I pushed down on the various corners of the car, and find that the left front clunks going down and coming back up. Keep in mind that I can only push it down about an inch in the front (limitations of weighing 175 lbs).
Any ideas?
Re: SVT Suspension "Clunk"
Posted: Thu Apr 16, 2009 6:22 pm
by Monkey-Gein
let me push on it
Re: SVT Suspension "Clunk"
Posted: Thu Apr 16, 2009 6:30 pm
by Steve@Tasca
I'd almost say it's a blown strut if you can move it an inch by hand.
Othersise sway bar end links are super common and typically only make noise at low speeds (30ish and below) over small to moderate bumps.
Don't even bother trying to wiggle them to check for play, even bad ones won't wiggle due to the constant tension put on the by the sway bar.
Re: SVT Suspension "Clunk"
Posted: Thu Apr 16, 2009 7:58 pm
by Stilz
Push it... push it reeeeeeal good...
Ya, sounds like the seal might have blown on the strut.
Re: SVT Suspension "Clunk"
Posted: Thu Apr 16, 2009 11:42 pm
by closetfordfan
I don't think its a strut, because the spring should still provide more than enough pressure to keep most people from moving the strut up and down by hand. I'm thinking broken spring or strut mount.
Re: SVT Suspension "Clunk"
Posted: Thu Apr 16, 2009 11:49 pm
by spots25
i'd definitely say the sway bar end links
Re: SVT Suspension "Clunk"
Posted: Fri Apr 17, 2009 5:00 am
by Stilz
closetfordfan wrote:I don't think its a strut, because the spring should still provide more than enough pressure to keep most people from moving the strut up and down by hand. I'm thinking broken spring or strut mount.
not entirely. the end link would make the "squeaking" and the "clunk" but it wouldn't cause the corner to be easy to puch down on. Go find a shop that will look at/diagnose for free, and they'll let you know.
Re: SVT Suspension "Clunk"
Posted: Fri Apr 17, 2009 7:15 am
by oldoutboardjim
FORDSVTPARTS wrote:I'd almost say it's a blown strut if you can move it an inch by hand.
Othersise sway bar end links are super common and typically only make noise at low speeds (30ish and below) over small to moderate bumps.
Don't even bother trying to wiggle them to check for play, even bad ones won't wiggle due to the constant tension put on the by the sway bar.
I'm not sure that I moved it a whole inch. It's hard to calculate movement when you're pushing down like this.
So how do I verify either of these conditions?
Re: SVT Suspension "Clunk"
Posted: Fri Apr 17, 2009 7:25 am
by Monkey-Gein
take it to a midas. tell them it's clunking. they'll check it for free, just say you got to get the money first... then don't go back
Re: SVT Suspension "Clunk"
Posted: Fri Apr 17, 2009 12:13 pm
by focinite
Monkey-Gein wrote:take it to a midas. tell them it's clunking. they'll check it for free, just say you got to get the money first... then don't go back
yeah...sooooo.... how the hell am i gonna feed my kid if this is the shit people are gonna pull?
mr out board, if the clunk is rear bound and it only happens on bound and rebound.... have you messed with yer rear shocks at all?.... chanches are the mount on the inner side is not tight and allowing it to wobble around, a good trick is to get a adjustable wrench and put it on the flat spot on the threaded shaft and it will keep it from rotating, now tighten the 13 mil nut and retest. a broken spring will clang on statick turns. but its a good idear to change out the front and rear sway links at 100k so take the wheels off and just look in there, if its broke youll see it.
....wow my spelling sucks
another thing, the front strut bearings can come dis logded if installed wrong, this will sound like a small mirco army has invaded yer fender.
Re: SVT Suspension "Clunk"
Posted: Fri Apr 17, 2009 8:42 pm
by oldoutboardjim
focinite wrote:Monkey-Gein wrote:take it to a midas. tell them it's clunking. they'll check it for free, just say you got to get the money first... then don't go back
yeah...sooooo.... how the hell am i gonna feed my kid if this is the shit people are gonna pull?
mr out board, if the clunk is rear bound and it only happens on bound and rebound.... have you messed with yer rear shocks at all?
(I've never messed with the struts).... chanches are the mount on the inner side is not tight and allowing it to wobble around, a good trick is to get a adjustable wrench and put it on the flat spot on the threaded shaft and it will keep it from rotating, now tighten the 13 mil nut and retest. a broken spring will clang on statick turns. but its a good idear to change out the front and rear sway links at 100k
(By the way, the car only has 68,000 miles on it, and has been babied.)so take the wheels off and just look in there, if its broke youll see it.
....wow my spelling sucks
another thing, the front strut bearings can come dis logded if installed wrong, this will sound like a small mirco army has invaded yer fender.
Re: SVT Suspension "Clunk"
Posted: Sat Apr 18, 2009 8:10 am
by Steve@Tasca
Without being able to check it out in person clunks are virtually impossible to diagnose.
I'm at work until 4:00 today (Saturday) if you feel like taking a drive, just as a warning though the front door is locked and we're driving out of the lot at 4:01.
Re: SVT Suspension "Clunk"
Posted: Sat Apr 18, 2009 12:23 pm
by closetfordfan
FORDSVTPARTS wrote:Without being able to check it out in person clunks are virtually impossible to diagnose.
I'm at work until 4:00 today (Saturday) if you feel like taking a drive, just as a warning though the front door is locked and we're driving out of the lot at 4:01.
Yep, what he said.
Re: SVT Suspension "Clunk"
Posted: Sat Apr 18, 2009 5:07 pm
by oldoutboardjim
FORDSVTPARTS wrote:Without being able to check it out in person clunks are virtually impossible to diagnose.
I'm at work until 4:00 today (Saturday) if you feel like taking a drive, just as a warning though the front door is locked and we're driving out of the lot at 4:01.
Well, I drove in to see Steve. He drove it, and confirmed others' suspicions that it is the sway bar end links. I purchased some of those from Steve, and will install them one day soon.
By the way, Steve seemed impressed by the performance of my SVTF. Who says you have to be young to go fast?
Re: SVT Suspension "Clunk"
Posted: Sat Apr 18, 2009 8:21 pm
by Steve@Tasca
Your SVT is certainly entertaining Jim
Now I'm sad again, no boost for me