1992-1999 Series I L27 (1992-1994 SE,SLE, SSE) & Series II L36 (1995-1999 SE, SSE, SLE) and common problems for the Series I and II L67 (all supercharged models 92-99) Including Olds 88's, Olds LSS's and Buick Lesabres Please use General Chat for non-mechanical issues, and Performance and Brainstorming for improvements.

clunk noise on left front

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 02-12-2008, 09:56 PM
  #1  
Member
Posts like a V-Tak
Thread Starter
 
bull44's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Montreal Quebec Canada
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
bull44 is on a distinguished road
Default clunk noise on left front

Hey Everybody
I have a problem that I am sure you can help me out with.
When I am driving and turn a little to the left i get a clunking noise and the steering moves a little and also car is pulling to that side.
any input please
Old 02-12-2008, 10:11 PM
  #2  
Senior Member
True Car Nut
 
Echo SSEI's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: _Phoenix, AZ_ _WCBF '05, '06, '07 Survivor_ ____NEBF '07 Remnant___
Posts: 3,448
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes on 6 Posts
Echo SSEI is on a distinguished road
Default

Several possibilites, here. Ball Joint, hub bearing and possibly strut mounts come to mind first, although anything in the suspension (inner/outer tie rods, end links on sway bars, struts) could be the culprit. First order of business is to remove the wheel, and inspect the suspension components for any obvious broken/bent/missing pieces. If everything looks intact, you can put the wheel back on and try the wiggle tests. Place hands at 12:00 and 6:00 and thry to move the wheel up and down. Do it again but with your hands at the 3:00 and 9:00 position and try to rock the wheel back and forth. If there is any play or slop when you do either of these, it may indicate a ball joint or hub bearing faliure.
Old 02-12-2008, 10:21 PM
  #3  
Senior Member
Posts like a 4 Banger
 
Arakor's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Ohio
Posts: 122
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Arakor is on a distinguished road
Default

I had the same problem. Front left upper mount bearing. I would turn and it would clunk, then it would pull in the direction that I turned. To make sure this is your problem watch the top of your coil spring through the wheel well. What your looking at is that mount and its bearing.

While looking up at that mount, have someone turn the wheel. Watch to see if that mount will stick and then clunk loose instead of moving fluently.

Mount + bearing = 45$

Lots of labor though, whole strut must come out. Spring must be compressed. I bought new struts, mounts, mount bearings, and boots for both front struts when I fixed this problem.
Old 02-12-2008, 10:55 PM
  #4  
Member
Posts like a V-Tak
 
hvacguy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Toledo, Ohio
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
hvacguy is on a distinguished road
Default

I bet a hundred bucks its one of your cv joints on that side. I had a sway bar link pin break on my 95 and tear the boot on my pass. side outer cv joint. Like arakor said it could be the strut bearing but if its the strut bearing you would hear the noise by turning the wheel with the car parked. if the sound only comes when your moving, and turning, and if your car pulls to one side when breaking i would bet its the cv joint. inspect both inner and outer cv boots for damage and leaking grease. The whole drive shaft cv assembly is about a hundred bucks and a pain in the A$$ to change.
Old 02-13-2008, 12:36 AM
  #5  
Senior Member
Posts like a 4 Banger
 
Arakor's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Ohio
Posts: 122
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Arakor is on a distinguished road
Default

Also to add, if its the bearing, the car should cluck a bit and pull somewhat to the right after making a right turn.
Old 02-13-2008, 10:04 AM
  #6  
Senior Member
True Car Nut
 
bill buttermore's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Ames, Iowa
Posts: 3,066
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
bill buttermore is on a distinguished road
Default

Originally Posted by hvacguy
I bet a hundred bucks its one of your cv joints on that side.
Now that'* a tempting bet. Usually that outer CV joint will click for a good long while before it gets so bad (or dry) that it is binding and making a clunking noise. The strut bearing, on the other hand, will make the clunking noise when it gets dry and binds, then suddenly breaks loose while the wheel is being turned as Arakor describes. Not saying it could not be the axle, but just for fun, my pretend money is on the strut bearing.
Old 02-13-2008, 11:33 AM
  #7  
Senior Member
True Car Nut
 
sonoma_zr2's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Montevideo, MN MWBF '05, '06, '07 WCBF '06 '07 survivor
Posts: 3,882
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
sonoma_zr2 is on a distinguished road
Default

Originally Posted by bill buttermore
Originally Posted by hvacguy
I bet a hundred bucks its one of your cv joints on that side.
Now that'* a tempting bet. Usually that outer CV joint will click for a good long while before it gets so bad (or dry) that it is binding and making a clunking noise. The strut bearing, on the other hand, will make the clunking noise when it gets dry and binds, then suddenly breaks loose while the wheel is being turned as Arakor describes. Not saying it could not be the axle, but just for fun, my pretend money is on the strut bearing.
x2
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
paulyGXP
Bonneville GXP/ Northstar Powered Cars
14
07-10-2012 02:26 PM
Tonesta
1992-1999
0
03-09-2008 04:55 PM
Widerman
1992-1999
18
01-11-2004 10:32 AM
SSEimatt93
General GM Chat
0
11-15-2003 10:55 PM
Hojekang
1992-1999
1
08-31-2002 01:20 AM



Quick Reply: clunk noise on left front



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 10:40 AM.