I just thought I'd share this with everyone as a *possibility* in locating a source of front end clunking. I did my fair share of searches for front end "clunks" and subsequently replaced all my shocks/strut/strut mounts, compression rods and swaybar endlinks. While the suspension was apart during the front strut installation, I checked all the ball joints and while they rotated freely, none exhibited any play. To my frustration, after all of the above was completed, I STILL heard a clunk at slow-medium speeds over small "ripple-like" bumps! It sounded like someone was tapping a heavy hammer on my front subframe.

Well, the bottom line is that I was almost ready to give up but decided to check the rest of the "cheap" parts I could replace. The next cheapest part was the front swaybar bushings. I ordered as set from Grubbs for $18.01 shipped and they arrived about a week later.

Easy, easy install - all you need is a 14mm socket and ratchet.

... and the first drive immediately thereafter said it all: NO MORE CLUNKING!!! WOOHOO!!! The front end now sounds totally solid.

The old bushings *looked* OK from the bottom, but when I pulled them out they were hard, glazed and worn flat on the inside molded ridges. BTW, I have 108K miles on my '03 G.

My lesson learned: check the simple, cheap parts first - they just might be your solution.

Thanks,

Al

 

what brand did you get and do you have a link?

 

Good info, thanks!

 

Same question.
Thanks for sharing!

 

^+1 Great info

 

I got these at Grubbs Performance (www.grubbsperformanceparts.com)
Selected 2003 Infiniti G35 Sedan
Drill down to "Front Suspension" > "Stabilizer Bar" > "Bushings"
Cost: $5.37 (x2 plus shipping) = $18.01

These are the OEM Nissan rubber bushings.

Thanks,

Al

 

great thanks very much.

mine started making the same sound a week ago. but lucky i didnt install my new swaybars yet. would you suggest getting the rear bushing also? considering its just $8 more?

 

Couldn't hurt, right? I mean, what's $8 as a precautionary measure? The rears are just as easy if not easier to do.

But! If you have new (aftermarket?) swaybars, they're probably bigger so the stock bushings won't fit. Just something else to keep in mind.

- Al

 

Thanks for the info!!

 

thank you so much! i've literally been on the verge of crying b/c i spend so much money at my mechanic and the problem stayed. I first got my end-links replaced, then strut mounts, then struts/shocks. and i still have the problem. this cost me at least 1000 in labor alone. i will do this now. now i feel like ****.

 

Definitely great I was stressing over the clunking, hopefully its a easy easy install!

 

Here at a local performance shop, they recommended to me that it could be the inner control arm bushings, (something that's a known issue evidently), but they offered to check it for free. They say this could be the cause of my front end passenger side "clunk".