I brought my 8 in recently for recalls including the lower control arm. Immediately I noticed a clunking sound in the suspension over bumps. I thought maybe the new parts just needed breaking in, but I eventually realized that if I go over a speed bump without the brakes pressed, that t clunks loudly from the passenger front wheel, but if I go over a speed bump with the brakes slightly pressed there is no sound.

Anyone know what the problem is?

 

Could be any number of things. Check sway bar end links, could either have a bad joint or loose nut. Check brake caliper and caliper bracket bolts to make sure they’re tight. Check caster and camber alignment bolt nuts to make sure they’re tight. Check upper control arm bushing bolt nuts to make sure they’re tight. Also check wheel lug nut tightness. There was a TSB for clunking undee braking that revised the wheel lug nut torque spec to a higher value.

 

If you noticed it right away, bring it right back to the shop and have them fix. It shouldn't cost you anything. Otherwise, like Team says, go over it bolt by bolt.

 

If it happened right after work was done I'd say the control arm to frame bolts are still loose. You can easily get at those by turning the wheels each way and reaching into the wheel well. I know after installing new springs/struts I preloaded them by leaving these bolts loose for a short jaunt around the block and I could hear this clunking, same thing only when brakes were not applied.

 

Cool, I’ll check those bolts first. Thanks guys!

 

Just to clarify, the upper control arms are the bolts I'm talking about, they would have loosened them off to replace the lower control arm and probably forgot to re-tighten.

 

Ah, gotcha, thanks for the clarification.

 

maybe, but it could be a half dozen or more other things that they also had to loosen/remove too ...

 

Definitely, just that is the easiest first thing to check without having to remove wheel or get under car.

 

Could also be as simple as a missing brake pad clip or a brake pad with an undersized backing plate.

Like someone else said, take it right back to the shop to be rectified.

 

This is exactly why I HATE other people working on my cars/truck. Tasks other then say an alignment, I do it myself. This way I know it was done right.

My 04 is due in for 3 recalls, air bag, fuel pump & control arms. The thought of someone working on it without me supervising make me nauseas. I had to replace my passenger side lower control arm about a month prior to the recall. The adjusting bolts were so frozen in place I had to cut them out. A real PITA!!!

I'm sure the other side is the exact same, ugh.... The thought of someone beating on my car with a sledge trying to remove those bolts at the dealership.... I plan to soak, soak, soak and soak those bolts for a week straight with PB Blaster prior to taking it in. Maybe that will free them up for the tech. Wishful thinking lol

 

Let’s be honest; we all screw up once in a while. So doing it yourself is not always a guarantee of anything.