[00 Trans Ram]

Originally Posted by JaxChris

I need to figure out what the loud clunk is in the front of mine as well. Can drive straight without much noise, but uneven surfaces sound like my suspension is blown.

So far I have 3 places to check from other peoples threads:
Sway bar bracket (like above)
Upper strut mount (hope not)
End link bushings (possible)

I also vote end-link.

Mine began making a clunk noise on the left front when going over small bumps. Then, I noticed that the noise would come from front-left, even when the right front wheel was hitting a bump. Since the swaybar is the only thing connecting the 2 wheels, I knew it was the swaybar.

However, I jacked the car up and checked the links with a deadblow hammer (hit something and listen for a clunk). Couldn't find the problem. Even put a wrench on bolts, and didn't notice anything loose.

Took it to dealership (warranty), and they couldn't find it, either. Put it on a 2-post rack, and didn't see anything. But, then they put it on a drive-on rack, and noticed that the left endlink was loose.

Evidently, when the suspension was hanging, you couldn't tell it was loose. But, under normal compression, the endlink was loose. They tightened it up, and the noise went away.

So, ask yourself these questions:

- Does it make a sound when only 1 wheel hits a bump, but not the other? If so, it's probably something local to that 1 wheel. Shock mount, control arm, etc.
- Does it make the sound (from the same place) when hitting a bump with either wheel? If so, it's the swaybar (probably - it's possible that the swaybar could be transferring enough force to the opposite wheel to make a control arm or shock mount clunk, but highly unlikely).

[kropscamaro16]

agreed btw i broke one of my studs and ended up replacing all of the studs with bolts and it feels alot better now! i dont even know why gm put those dumb things in there

[JaxChris]

Originally Posted by 00 Trans Ram

Evidently, when the suspension was hanging, you couldn't tell it was loose. But, under normal compression, the endlink was loose. They tightened it up, and the noise went away.

Nice info. I'll take it over for an alignment check to peak at the sway bar mounts and end links.

Appreciate the experience data from each of you.

[aronSlusa]

Going to bring this one up to the top since it happened to me today upgrading front and rear bars....

Torqued to 30ft-lbs to be cautious and **insert very uncomfortable cracking in half noise here** and ended up in pieces.

Called the Chevy dealership up the road and I can't help but laugh as I appreciate their response after not finding anything that would work... "so I have an answer for you but probably not what you want to hear. It's part of the cradle. GM says buy a new cradle or make something work..."

Good couple smacks with a hammer and a punch... replace M8x25 and and I'm back in business!

Thanks to diirk for the heads up on this!

[carguy55]

Service manual says 16 lb ft and use a swivel socket

[carguy55]

As far as the end links, make sure you're using the new GM bolt as shown here or they will just come lose again

https://www.camaro6.com/forums/showt...489428&page=24

[aronSlusa]

Originally Posted by carguy55

Service manual says 16 lb ft and use a swivel socket

Now ya tell me 😆

Originally Posted by carguy55

As far as the end links, make sure you're using the new GM bolt as shown here or they will just come lose again

https://www.camaro6.com/forums/showt...489428&page=24

Do you have a part number handy at all? Didn’t know they came out with a new one.
Is it just the nut or the whole assembly that’s different?

[h018871]

Originally Posted by aronSlusa

Now ya tell me 😆
Do you have a part number handy at all? Didn’t know they came out with a new one.
Is it just the nut or the whole assembly that’s different?

Interested also

[carguy55]

There is a GM bulletin to replace the nuts so you may be able to get the dealer to do it.

The p/n is 11548382 and you need 4 of them

Upper tighten 120 N-m (89 lb ft)

Lower tighten 130 N-m (96 lb ft)

As that link shows it's a pain to get to and tighten

[aronSlusa]

Originally Posted by carguy55

There is a GM bulletin to replace the nuts so you may be able to get the dealer to do it.

The p/n is 11548382 and you need 4 of them

Upper tighten 120 N-m (89 lb ft)

Lower tighten 130 N-m (96 lb ft)

As that link shows it's a pain to get to and tighten

Thank you for this!
It’s not that bad with a lift and the wheels off.
Never thought of an extension on the crow foot. That would have saved me some hassle.

[h018871]

Originally Posted by carguy55

There is a GM bulletin to replace the nuts

carguy, do you have the bulletin or its document number? I can't locate it.
TIA