Why would a bad strut bearing make clunking noise

[Phil Rose]

>From:
>To: "Quattro List" <quattro at audifans.com>
>Subject: Why would a bad strut bearing make clunking noise
>Date: Tue, 19 Sep 2000 09:21:24 -0400
>
>i've read this in numerous places but i can't understand why a plastic part
>(at least the casing is) would casue a clunk when it's bad unless of course
>the casing breaks and the bearings are striking the metal plate.  is that
>the scenario under which a bad strut bearing will clunk?  thanx.
>

Funny you should ask, 'cause I've been wondering just the same thing for
the past 8 or nine months. I've bought a pair of strut bearings but haven't
gotten around to installation. It is a cheap part and was suggested as a
possible (probable?) remedy for the low-speed "clunk" I get--as when
parking, or backing out of my driveway. My clunk comes only when turning
the wheel, not from vertical travel of the suspension. I've eliminated
steering rack and tierod ends as causes (I think).

 The rationale for the clunking sound--I assume--would relate to a bad
bearing causing the upper coil of a spring to lag (rotationally) behind the
bottom coil during a slow turn. If this happens, the bearing would
eventually be forced to rotate (from spring torsion)--quite suddenly--and
permit the spring to uncoil with a "thunk".  One day I'll get around to
installing those bearings and find out if that explanation makes sense.


Phil Rose				Rochester, NY
'91 200q				mailto:pjrose at frontiernet.net