Front End Clunking / Rattle When You Hit Bumps?

My 2004 Honda Civic makes a clunking sound when I hit bumps. I check the front suspension components to try and identify the cause.

[@defmoon900]

Well this saved me alot of time of trying to figure out what the noise was. Watched the video, went and wiggled it and sure as chit... bad lower ball joint. Thanks for the help

[@JohnS-er7jh]

thanks for posting this. In another video someone else has a 2013 that makes a noise and it turned out to be a sway bar. I am geting a noise as well but it is difficult to pinpoint (I will have to take it to a mechanic as I don't do my own repairs). I have always owned older/cheaper cars and never had issues like this. However, there are speed bumps everywhere now, many of them unmarked (I am a very careful driver but once and a while I hit one going a bit too fast, so I figured eventually I would start getting problems related to suspension, etc.).

[@johnkaspar462]

I’m in the same boat. Just replaced the ball joints not too long ago. Maybe 7k miles. Had plenty of other issues but the only thing left to figure out this elusive knocking is inner tie rods & wheel bearing on the noisy side. Everything else in the front end is less than a year & a half old. 🙄. Guess I’ll check the ball joint again. I’ve even quit going cheap because of these kinds of problems

[@miladinseratlic5984]

hearing this on my focus mk2.5 but couldn't figure out from where does it come from.. I will check this for sure! ❤

[@jerryhardesty9993]

so show us a video of you fixing it!! how did you get that lower ball joint out?

[@locofredxxdiy]

Hi! i experience this sound turn me crazy...lol and ichange like you the wheel table and the link it...so your option about lower ball joint give me a in...for that i am a member or abonné now...but du we change it

[@mrflag9976]

My dodge magnum 07 is making pot and loud pans noises when braking or driving on a rocky road or speed bump

[@jamesfarmer1523]

I think the control arm come with the ball joints already pressed in .I honestly think thats the way to go especially on these vehicles .If you replace the ball joint and the bushing are bad on the contry arm its just going to eat up your ball joint and you don't have to press the ball joint out and back in to me its worth the extra money.

[@Shoopyism]

this is helpful i have to change my left lower ball joint i bought an 03 avalon as is with 300k the lower ball joint is cheap but i just might get the control arm with it if that’s the case

[@DonPavardenis]

Shit. Im glad i found your video. Thabk you so much sir. Mine has developed huge clunking noise every little puddle. I need to fix this asap

[@DevJB]

Same sound after new control arms, ball joints, stabilizers, bushings and quick struts, ended up being tie rod ends that were unable to move with hand or prybar. Today I'm working on a 2008 Kia Sportage AWD with same issue, They replaced everything except tie rod ends, Today I'm going straight for the tie rods. (edit) Was bad sway bar bushings and end links.

[@chuckwalla2967]

The old parts cannon method of repair.

[@DevJB]

@@chuckwalla2967 I only replace bad parts that are found during "my" inspections. But yeah, that's what people seem to be doing.

[@LOUIS-fp3bv]

Those lower ball joints are hard to grease that's how it looks. Also lower ball joints should last 100,000 miles. Everything made on the cheap but prices still going up. Everything made all over the world.

[@the8419]

Of course it’s made on the cheap... it’s a Honda

[@godovermoney1124]

ball joint. dangerous problem. spontaneous separation could be catastrophic.

[@RockyMtnWay_406]

2017 2500 .. something is rattling up into my steering wheel only when turning right over bumps, I'm guessing this could be my issue as well. 110k mi.

[@Wes_Barton]

Very possible.

[@RockyMtnWay_406]

@@Wes_Barton Well I figured it out. Where interview steering shaft connects to gear box. That connection is bad. Noise I was hearing was steering shaft rattling on (I think) upper a-arm.

[@Wes_Barton]

@@RockyMtnWay_406 good deal.

[@lont3927]

So did fixing the lower ball joint solve the issue? I have a similar sound on my Subaru ascent and I’m guessing that could be the same issue.

[@Wes_Barton]

Yes it did.

[@abhijeetpatil4651]

Hi sir, I am having cracking noise while getting down from speedbrakers from front wheels of my honda city 4th gen 2018 model. Cracking sound pattern which i observed while getting down from speed breaker as below: 1) when I press my clutch free the car then sound can be easily audible 2) when I dont press the clutch then sound is barely audible. 3) When I keep car in bit acceleration then I dint hear any sound as off now. I took car to mechanic and he said it is due to Suspension or may be due to some bushes.. Then we decided to change the suspension and below parts we replaced. 1. Front shockup refill. 2. Shocker mounts 3. Front strut kit 4. Strut wati 5. Link Rod 6. Balance rod bush. 7. Steering rack repair with bush. Also as per mechanic there is not issue in lower arm and its ball joint or bush. All above parts are original from honda. Dispite of changing entire suspense system and other things, still cracking sound is there... Pls help me to identify from where it is coming... Thanks in advance..

[@Wes_Barton]

I wish I could but I’m afraid I don’t completely understand what you’re explaining.

[@rashadsmikle5645]

Sounds like a ball joint

[@jbuck1975]

If I'm going slow and tap on the breaks I get a clunking sound and when I go over a bump or pot hole I get a clunk, but at road speed it doesn't seem to make noise. What should I check? Sounds like just driver side

[@Wes_Barton]

It’s hard to say without looking at it. There are so many possibilities.

[@mindrestradio3639]

Would this cause a rolling rumble feel through the gas pedal when doing about 60

[@Wes_Barton]

It’s hard to say without checking it out. There’s quite a few possibilities of what it could be. Suspension type issues are hard to guesstimate.

[@StreetLurker]

Its always the damn drivers side balljoint!!!

[@martinwinlow]

Why are your bottom ball joint castellated nut split-pins not engaging with your castellations...? Either a washer is missing or... are the joints the right ones - and this explains why they have failed so soon?

[@relquo]

I got same wobble feel in my front left wheel. Can't figure out what's the issue ? It does not show play when checking wheel. Getting wobble in slow speed and potholes. How to check it ? Tyres and alloy wheels all are okay. Ball joint tie rods all new, strut also new. Drive shaft also okay. Please guide. Not any noise

[@Wes_Barton]

@@relquo where are you feeling the wobble? In the steering wheel?

[@relquo]

@@Wes_Barton in the front left wheel. When the car runs at a very slow speed. When the car loaded at the rear inside the boot. It runs unstable from the single Front left wheel. Several times I found that the strut top nut became loose by itself. Sometimes i feel something loose in front.

[@Wes_Barton]

@@relquo what type of car do you have? On mine a couple things come to mind. Have you checked all bushings, control arm and stabilizer bar?

[@relquo]

@@Wes_Barton it was Suzuki Scross, Yes all bush are okay. Even there is not any noise from any suspension components. Car pulling to the left side when climbing down the hill and if braking. Strut is also new. It looks like a strut mount issue. Today i jacked the car from both sides and inserted a metal rod under the FL tyre, and tried to push up the tyre. Couldn't find any play or noise. But one thing i found is, the wheel was not going straight up or 90 degrees when i was pressing the rod by the legs.

[@relquo]

​​@@Wes_Barton watch your hand movement at 0:41 seconds, that's the same movement my car's wheel does on uneven roads , and runs perfectly on high speed on flat roads.

[@thecoddy4663]

Sir, Just a quick question - Did you replace all the parts with OEM or a third party company ? If yes, which company parts did you replace it with ? Thank you.

[@Wes_Barton]

I first installed Detroit Axle - Front 6pc Control Arms Kit ASIN B07MMV5HT8 Then replaced the Stabilizer Bar Links with MOOG Suspension K90454 & K90455 Stabilizer Bar Links ASIN B000CJ428K & B000CJ427G Replaced Front Control Arm Bushings with Energy Suspension 16.3116R ASIN B001662WSU Replaced Front Lower Ball Joints with MOOG K90332 ASIN B000C560OI

[@Wes_Barton]

Amazon Standard Identification Number (ASIN)

[@thecoddy4663]

@@Wes_Barton Thank you for the information. How's the qualtity of Moog compare it with OEM ? Any issues so far ?

[@Wes_Barton]

@@thecoddy4663 no issues. I find MOOG quality to be equal to or better than OEM. The lower ball joints have Zerk grease fittings which OEM does not.

[@thecoddy4663]

@@Wes_Barton Thank you sir.

[@mugz90]

That's exactly what my car does omggg Is that the sway bar?

[@Wes_Barton]

Sway bar could potentially make a similar sound, but here it is the lower ball joint.

[@70sfred1]

This is probably my vehicle's issue, as any little bump makes my car rattle and shake.

[@Cultureclips]

Would that clunking sound happen if you take a left turn? Because that’s what’s happening to me

[@Wes_Barton]

Yes it would. If yours only clunks while turning left it could also be the CV axle.

[@Cultureclips]

@@Wes_Barton I spent $650 on a control arm because a mechanic thought that would fix it and yet here I am 🤦‍♂️

[@Wes_Barton]

@@Cultureclips they should’ve replaced the ball joint along with the control arm. I can’t imagine they would reuse an old ball joint in a new control arm. 🤷‍♂️

[@markatheist]

Do a video on rear end clunking

[@memyselfni7583]

I did that and the wheel broke off

[@Texas_Made_]

Auhh,ive been hearing what sounds like a "janky" or "clunky" nosie whenever im driving after a few minutes...even if im driving over a not TOO bumpy road😢,im going to take it to my local guy and see what he says,because i have put so much money into repairs so not sure what it could be now,although i admit i tend to drive fast and fly over bumps😅😅

[@Wes_Barton]

What vehicle is it? There are a lot of suspension components that could cause that sound. I’d be interested in hearing the diagnosis.

[@tony96426]

Is it expensive to replace the ball joints ?

[@Wes_Barton]

@@tony96426 the ball joints themselves aren’t that expensive. I bought these a.co/d/0cWK6YR1 at $23 each. If you have a shop do it I’m not sure what they would charge.

[@memyselfni7583]

I bought my ball joints from Kmart auto

[@joecrowe7062]

Get moog joints ball

[@denslod2930]

I don’t know what you people do. At 73 and I drive my cars/trucks over 200k and never have to replace suspension parts.

[@tararothwill4922]

I drive a 40 minute narrow rural road almost everyday, lots of hairpin turn and steep grades as well as plenty of potholes that pop up from turbulent weather. But also my prius is now over 200k miles so things just wear out sometimes.

[@TheSometimeAfter]

Yeah it's everyone else's fault.... /s

[@Peter-bd3if]

@@TheSometimeAfter forgets that some places have rough roads