"clunk" sound when steering sharply - Zilvia.net Forums | Nissan 240SX (Silvia) and Z (Fairlady) Car Forum

kerv · 06-11-2002, 08:49 AM

When ever I am driving slow and turning sharply (ie, if I am parking) I hear a clunk sound coming from the front tires... I was wondering what causes this and what I need to get replaced?  Is this an expensive thing to fix and is it absolutely necessary to get fixed right away?  I don't have any spare "repair" cash at the moment and was wondering if this could wait a month or so... not sure.

I think i might need 4 struts and front ball joints.... at least that is what the mechanic said while he was fixing my brakes <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt='

'>  Sound like that would fix the prob?

Opinions and prices?

89 s13 fastback
Thanks,

- Kerv

gunmetals13 · 06-11-2002, 09:10 AM

your mechanic is right..... i had the same thing it was my tie rod.. easiest thing to fix besides the air filter....... well easier

uiuc240 · 06-11-2002, 09:41 AM

oh really?  damn.  i was hoping i could take care of my clunking sound with new LCA bushings.  well, i'll just have to get some new tie rod ends and ball joints next month.  it's all good.

Eric

240sxspeedracer1 · 06-11-2002, 12:20 PM

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (gunmetals13 @ June 10 2002,11:10)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">your mechanic is right..... i had the same thing it was my tie rod.. easiest thing to fix besides the air filter....... well easier</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
really?  can u tell us how to do it?
I never tried fixing things from under the car, only from the top of the engine.

geeaj · 06-11-2002, 01:00 PM

t/c rod bushings and ball joints make a similiar noise too. Changes are if your outer tie rods are shot, the other two items are probably shot too.

Broadwayblues · 06-11-2002, 01:01 PM

From the PDM Racing website:
One of the most troublesome bushings on the 240SX and 300ZX, this silicone filled "donut-shaped" bushing which is pressed into the Tension Control rod, is one of the first bushings that wears out. When it fails, the viscous filling will leak out, and corrode your front suspension's paint finish, and will cause erratic steering (especially at highway speeds). The front end will also make a "clunk" noise when you make tight turns. Fix the problem with these Whiteline replacement bushings.
OK, while I have not put these in yet, and I have the same problem you do with the 'thunk', I plan to get them soon. It's next on my  list of things to get. I just don't do much driving over 70 MPH (speed limit) Just don't go too fast; I have had them out for a couple of months now. I don't think that it's a huge deal unless you have a lead foot.
Here is the link: PDM Suspension
I hope that helps!

240 2NR · 06-11-2002, 04:34 PM

Well the easiest way to check wheel bearings is to jack up that corner (if its really bad this will work without jacking it up) and pull on the wheel from the top and push on the bottom, and switch back and forth.  The wheel connection should be solid, but if it rocks back and forth or makes a clunking noise, you found the problem.  

The tie rod ends are easy to spot and swap.  Check if the rubber boot is still intact.  If so it's probably still fine.  If not it's loosing or lost all of it's grease and corroding, though it would have to be REALLY bad to make much noise in my opinion.  It's literally just a ball socket so there isn't much play in it.  Mine had a broken boot for 3 months in the middle of winter and there was no compliance in it, nor did it look worn.  It was good that I replaced it, but I highly doubt it was a severe risk, unless maybe it sat for weeks outside before being driven so it had time to rust, break free when driven and rust again for a long period of time.

I do kind of agree with Eric (uiuc240) that you could have some badly worn bushings.  My old car lost the TC rod bushing after 14 yeas it it made some bad noises when turning and going over bumps, but I know Eric has replaced his TC rod bushings so it's probably one or some of the others or the wheel bearing.

06-11-2002, 08:49 AM	#1
kerv Leaky Injector Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Canada Posts: 119 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	When ever I am driving slow and turning sharply (ie, if I am parking) I hear a clunk sound coming from the front tires... I was wondering what causes this and what I need to get replaced?  Is this an expensive thing to fix and is it absolutely necessary to get fixed right away?  I don't have any spare "repair" cash at the moment and was wondering if this could wait a month or so... not sure. I think i might need 4 struts and front ball joints.... at least that is what the mechanic said while he was fixing my brakes <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''>  Sound like that would fix the prob? Opinions and prices? 89 s13 fastback Thanks, - Kerv __________________ Kerv 89 Nissan 240sx FB Alberta Canada

06-11-2002, 09:41 AM	#3
uiuc240 Nissanaholic! Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Naperville, IL Age: 42 Posts: 2,093 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	oh really?  damn.  i was hoping i could take care of my clunking sound with new LCA bushings.  well, i'll just have to get some new tie rod ends and ball joints next month.  it's all good. Eric __________________ 2002 Mazda Protege5 1989 S13 w/SR20DET (sold)

06-11-2002, 12:20 PM	#4
240sxspeedracer1 Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: jerzzzz Age: 39 Posts: 494 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (gunmetals13 @ June 10 2002,11:10)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">your mechanic is right..... i had the same thing it was my tie rod.. easiest thing to fix besides the air filter....... well easier</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'> really?  can u tell us how to do it? I never tried fixing things from under the car, only from the top of the engine. __________________ 92 bmw 325i w/ m3 body kit

06-11-2002, 01:00 PM	#5
geeaj Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Dec 2001 Posts: 357 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	t/c rod bushings and ball joints make a similiar noise too. Changes are if your outer tie rods are shot, the other two items are probably shot too. __________________ Beware the fury of a silent man, be more cautious of his silent farts....

06-11-2002, 01:01 PM	#6
Broadwayblues Zilvia Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Posts: 193 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	From the PDM Racing website: One of the most troublesome bushings on the 240SX and 300ZX, this silicone filled "donut-shaped" bushing which is pressed into the Tension Control rod, is one of the first bushings that wears out. When it fails, the viscous filling will leak out, and corrode your front suspension's paint finish, and will cause erratic steering (especially at highway speeds). The front end will also make a "clunk" noise when you make tight turns. Fix the problem with these Whiteline replacement bushings. OK, while I have not put these in yet, and I have the same problem you do with the 'thunk', I plan to get them soon. It's next on my  list of things to get. I just don't do much driving over 70 MPH (speed limit) Just don't go too fast; I have had them out for a couple of months now. I don't think that it's a huge deal unless you have a lead foot. Here is the link: PDM Suspension I hope that helps! __________________ "stop lights timed to 55 mph are also timed to 110 mph!" http://www.geocities.com/broadwayblues34/240sx.html 92 240SX Coupe! MB clear side markers Clear bumper lights 3 inch universal muffler w/ removable tip. Strut tower bar- Front OBX SS version 2

06-11-2002, 09:10 AM	#2
gunmetals13 Leaky Injector Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Laguna hills, CA Posts: 65 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	your mechanic is right..... i had the same thing it was my tie rod.. easiest thing to fix besides the air filter....... well easier

06-11-2002, 04:34 PM	#7
240 2NR Zilvia FREAK! Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Denver Posts: 1,131 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Well the easiest way to check wheel bearings is to jack up that corner (if its really bad this will work without jacking it up) and pull on the wheel from the top and push on the bottom, and switch back and forth.  The wheel connection should be solid, but if it rocks back and forth or makes a clunking noise, you found the problem.   The tie rod ends are easy to spot and swap.  Check if the rubber boot is still intact.  If so it's probably still fine.  If not it's loosing or lost all of it's grease and corroding, though it would have to be REALLY bad to make much noise in my opinion.  It's literally just a ball socket so there isn't much play in it.  Mine had a broken boot for 3 months in the middle of winter and there was no compliance in it, nor did it look worn.  It was good that I replaced it, but I highly doubt it was a severe risk, unless maybe it sat for weeks outside before being driven so it had time to rust, break free when driven and rust again for a long period of time. I do kind of agree with Eric (uiuc240) that you could have some badly worn bushings.  My old car lost the TC rod bushing after 14 yeas it it made some bad noises when turning and going over bumps, but I know Eric has replaced his TC rod bushings so it's probably one or some of the others or the wheel bearing. __________________ Steve 93 240sx FB currently very clean and for sale

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