Over the past week my car has developed a metal on metal type clunk noise that seems to be coming from the front drivers side. It almost sounds like a broken strut or worn balljoint. I have about 71K miles and lowered on 350Z springs up front with sport struts and Stillen sway bars.

The noise only occurs at low speeds on rough roads/bumps. Anything over 25MPH there is no noise at all. I thought my sway bar was loose, so I got under the car yesterday and checked all bolts and the notorious endlinks. Everything was tight and all bushings appeared to be okay too. Anything else I should look at/for?

 

Compression rod bushings possibly. Check the springs/shock assembly bolts are tight as well.

 

I had the dealer change my compression rods around 40K miles. When those were bad originally I had a crunching/squeeky sound that occured when going over speedbumps, entrances, driveways etc. But this is a different metal on metal clunking noise. Would the rods make the same noise?

Edit: Center nut of the strut and the mount is tight.

 

Check the bushings on your front lower control arms. I have recently replaced both of mine around 75K miles. They made a quick, hard clunk when turning and going over anything with an incline but the noise is gone and the car drives a little tighter. Pretty easy DIY if you can turn a wrench.

 

^Any way to tell if the bushing went bad by looking at it?

 

You can see where the clunking comes from, the head of the rod banging on the frame. Great thread on it here:

http://www.my350z.com/forum/brakes-a...translink.html

 

thanks! I'll look into that. For sure something is making contact with metal when going over certain bumps. Its hard to describe, because some bumps at low speeds the sound is not there, and others its very obvious. Thats why I dont think its a blown or loose strut.

 

It will most likely be your endlinks if they are stock, because the endlinks aren't strong enough for the aftermarket sway bars

 

u figure out the issue?

 

Front end noises at low speed sounds like endlink. If you hear clunking, then they are probably very worn.

Take off your and spin your endlink. If it rotates around its ***** very easily, then they need replacement. Even if they have no slacks in the spherical *****, if they spin very loosely, they would create thumping and clunking noises.

 

Sorry I have not updated this thread, I've just been dealing with the noise. I'm becoming more and more convinced its the endlinks. Starting to hear (might just be all in my head) the noise on the passenger side too. It finally warmed up alittle here, I jacked up the car and inspected all bushings, everything is normal. I'll take a much closer look at the endlinks this time.

 

OEM style endlinks for the G35/350Z are under $20 each. They are meant to be replaced as a wear item.

It seems laughable that people are still using their 60,000 miles endlinks with aftermarket sway bars, and only replacing them when they start hearing loud clunking noises when in fact they have already lost their efficiency long before that. The efficiency of the sway bar is likely vastly diminished due to the worn endlinks.

I just bought some Japanese made OEM endlinks from an online automotive parts retailer for $16 each. They are much MUCH tighter than my 60k miles endlinks.

 

yeah i know im due... i'll change them out regardless if it fixes the noise or not. Thanks.

 

i have oem sways and i hear clunking too on slow turns. i had my lower arm bushing replaced already.. but the clunking is still there. would it be the endlink or the compression rod bushing? thanks

 

Compression rods do not cause clunking unless they are leaking. I have yet seen actual leaking compression rod bushings personally.

Endlinks are cheap and easy to replace. Might want to change them first to isolate the problem if you are unsure.