Mystery Solved....

["Al Powell" <apowell@agcom.tamu.edu>]

I think the mystery of my clunking front end is solved.  While the 
shop was changing the front shocks, strut bearings, sway bar outer 
bushings, and inner control arm bushings, they found:

1)  RF shock was indeed toast, as I had discovered.  Definitely 
warranted changing them.  If that wasn't the clunk, then:

THE SECRET CLUNK:

2)  The bottom bolt hole in the sub-frame which holds the bolt for 
the right inner control arm bushing was elongated ("wallowed out") 
slightly, perhaps 1/8".  They will also check the top bolt hole when 
they drop the sub-frame.  Their suggested remedy (works for me) is to 
weld a hefty washer on the outer side of the sub-frame to provide a 
stable mounting point.

This elongated hole would allow the control arm to move in and out, 
causing a clunk.  It doesn't take much room.

If you have an elusive clunk in your car, I suggest pulling the bolt 
which mounts the inner control arm bushing and checking the 
hole for elongation.


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Al Powell, Ph.D.                 Voice:  409/845-2807
107 Reed McDonald Bldg.          Fax:    409/862-1202
College Station, TX 77843      
Http://agcomwww.tamu.edu/agcom/satellit/alpage.htm
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