thanks for your fast response. which endlinks would you recommend? i was looking into some SPL ones

 

The SPL links are very good. I use them personally.

But all you want to do is to restore ride quality, then any replacement endlinks will do.

 

Did u ever resolve this, cuz I'm having the same problem. Noticed it a couple of wks ago. Hear it mostly when I brake at low speeds. I found a tsb and have an appt nxt wk w/deal ership .I just found out that front end isn't stock height and is lowered so the Jack I have w ont work so I can chk myself.

 

I changed out my endlinks and the clunking noise is still there. My next guess is the strut mount is bad?

 

The G35 utilizes shocks and front upper arm suspension. The upper shock mounts would not cause noises like they do on a strut setup. If replacing the endlinks doesn't solve the problem, then it is very likely other suspension components. A worn ball joint can cause clunking.

You may want to check and see if the lower transvere inner bushings are in good shape.

 

i thought the front suspension used struts?? Also the lower transverse bushing on my car is centered and looks fine, its the same bushing pictured on the first page of this thread right? If this bushing failed, wouldnt it make noise all the time, and not just randomly/over certain bumps/pot holes?


Edit: I am going to replace my sway bar bushings since I've read that could be the source of the knocking/clunking as well.

 

just an update...

I have replaced the endlinks and sway bar bushings and the clunking noise is still there. It has gotten much worse with time. My next guess is the lower control arm (transverse link) bushing(s) are the culprit? How much should I expect to pay to have the bushings pressed out and replaced? I would do both sides while i'm at it.

 

It is possible that with your shorter springs and stiffer bar that even new stock end links could clunk. I have Z springs and as soon as I installed Motordyne sways, I got the same clunk you describe coming from one corner. I removed the sways completely, just to verify they were the cause of the clunk. I drove for two months like that (it's like driving a Buick) while waiting for the SPL end links to arrive. Unfortunately after installing the SPL end links, the clunk was back. Yes, I made sure there was no preload on the bars, everything was torqued to specs, and that the links were aligned at the best possible angles.

Anyway, I would remove those sway bars and end links completely just to verify that the problem isn't with them. It doesn't cost you anything, and a drive around the block will immediately give you an answer. If you only remove the front bar, watch out for crazy oversteer.

 

I got the same clunking/knocking sound in the front right at low speed only and over the smallest of bumps or pavement cracks. Replaced the end link, and the lower transverse control arm(since I snapped off a bolt when trying to remove the lil ball joint type thingie the end link was attached to). Noise still there. Haven't had a shop impact torque the top center strut bolt yet, but it seems awefully tight when I try to wrench it....dealer said compression rod without even really looking at it, but would it really make that noise? It doesn't have a whole lot of play in it at all. I don't wanna throw $200 more at a part that isn't the problem. Every other bolt I could see I checked for tightness...

 

Hopefully the last update...car is at the dealer. Diagnosed drivers side compression rod is bad. This will be the 3rd compression rod at 74K miles.

 

any new updates?

my clunking is there.. i'm planning on replacing the compression rod bushings and end links with SPL.

also is anyone's car feel loose around 60mph +?

i had an alignment done and it feels like the toe is off, but the print out states it's within spec.. anyone know what i can do to fix that?

i've had my lower control arm bushing replaced with whiteline already.

 

Well mine did the same thing (clunk during slow right turns) and it turned out to be torn A-arm bushings way up top... you can see them looking straight up behind the wheel on a lift. They weren't OEM (Ichiba ****), but I suspect OEM's with high mileage could do the same.

 

I've got a similar noise now as well. I mainly notice it when first moving from a start. I dont however notice it after moving off from being stopped at a light.

Makes a slight grinding noise from drivers side front and then thats it. Seems like its usually about the time it goes from 1st to 2nd but I don't think its the tranny since it doesnt do it every time.

Any thoughts?

 

Can anybody explain where the endlinks are and what is it's function?? Any pics? I have the same clunking noise too! And it's annoying as he'll!

 

mine has been doing this also. I hill check those things today.