I have "thump-thump-thump" coming from front of the car at all times, even at smoothest pavement. It doesn't change with speed. I can more feel than hear it. It is stronger during left turns(load on FRight shock). I checked all suspension/steering for looseness-everything is rock solid, I also rotated the tires.(I never had compression rod problems-no creaking or squeaking). What I noticed is that shock shaft is spinning, when top nut is getting tightened with moderate force. It doesn't happen on FLeft shock. About 3 weeks ago, when replacing springs, I tightened it until it stopped, without even holding shock shaft-I didn't have to, now it's spinning. Car handles OK both left and right, but right front *seems* to be marginally softer, when trying to bounce the car at same stifness setting.
I was on some ROUGH country roads this weekend and hit a pothole-hit was VERY strong, shockwave went through entire car.
Do you think I blew my shock?
Thank you for any input.

 

Problem solved-it was passenger front wheel bearing. The only way to detect it was to remove front brakes on both sides and compare the sound. It should be tight and totally quiet. Faulty one was making noise(just like wheels on cheap rollerblades) and was much easier to rotate. There was NO freeplay at all.
It is easy DYI job, if you can do your brakes, then you can replace front bearings. No special tools needed and no need to disconnect suspension components.

 

that's a reflief to know, some previous cars i had needed the bearings to be machine-pressed back into place.

 

I beleive I have the same issue, as above, with 105K miles. Turning left induces much more noise than right so Im guessing Ill get the same answer from dealer as you. Replace passenger side bearing. Thats fine with me, as Ive driven it hard and gotten great miles out of it.

The big question is do I also have them check and replace the driver side as well? If it's not bad, and Im not sure they can tell if its not bad without dis-assembly, do I replace it? Seems wrong to replace one side and not the other with 105K miles on one and the other brand new....

Im guessing from searching on this that the cost should run around $600 from the dealer for both.

Does that sound right to you guys? Should I also replace the drivers side?

Thanks
Mike

 

Don't fix it if its not broken. You can always spend money later, don't you?