It makes a noise every time I hit a bump
The sound tells the story. A hollow clunk from one corner over small bumps is almost always a sway bar end link or a strut mount. A deeper bang on big bumps can be a worn strut, a control arm bushing, or a ball joint. A tinny rattle underneath that changes with engine speed is a loose exhaust heat shield, harmless but annoying. A creak or groan on driveways and speed bumps is dry bushings or a strut spring seat.
Urgency
This week is fine
What to do right now
What to do right now
- 1Note which corner and what kind of bump: small ripples in the road, speed bumps, or only big potholes. Front or rear. That narrows it a lot.
- 2With the car parked, push down hard on each corner. If a corner bounces more than once or makes the noise, that is your strut.
- 3Check the trunk and the cabin. A jack, a bottle, or a golf bag rolling around sounds exactly like a suspension clunk.
- 4If the noise came after a hard pothole hit and the steering wheel is now off center or the car pulls, get it looked at soon. Something moved.
What it usually is
What it usually is
Suspension repair
Sway bar links, strut mounts, struts, control arm bushings, and ball joints all get checked on the lift with a pry bar. We replace what is loose, not the whole corner.
See the serviceExhaust repair
A loose or rusted heat shield rattles at idle and over bumps. It is a quick fix and worth ruling out before you pay for suspension work.
See the serviceQuestions people ask
Is a clunk dangerous?
A sway bar link or heat shield is not. A worn ball joint or tie rod end is, because if it separates the wheel folds under. We can tell the difference on the lift, which is why a clunk should get looked at rather than lived with.
Why is it worse after rain?
Wet rubber bushings and strut mounts creak more. Also the rain season makes potholes on NW 2nd Ave and the side streets that were not there last month, so you are hitting more of them.
Do I need new struts or just the links?
Sway bar links wear out long before struts. If the strut still controls the bounce and is not leaking, we replace the links and mounts. If the strut is leaking oil or the car floats after a bump, it is time for struts.
Will an alignment fix it?
No. An alignment sets angles on parts that are tight. If something is loose and clunking, the alignment will not hold. Fix the loose part first, then align it, especially after a pothole hit.