'96 Town & Country sway bar "clunk"

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Kevin Bootz - 17 Mar 2008 22:57 GMT

Replaced struts, links, bushings, outer tie rod ends,... and STILL have an
annoying clunk when driving down the road. Any known solutions?

Thanks

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Bill Putney - 18 Mar 2008 01:33 GMT

> Replaced struts, links, bushings, outer tie rod ends,... and STILL have an
> annoying clunk when driving down the road. Any known solutions?
>
> Thanks

I believe on the T&C, the engine cradle attaches to the frame with a set
of four bushing sets that can wear out at higher mileage - can be a bit
of parts and labor cost to have them replaced, so not something you want
to try unless it's really needed. Also, I've heard of aftermarket
struts on some vehicles not fully tightening to the bearing/mount at the
top with the nut fully seated - sometimes a washer needs to be added
under the nut to take up the space - but if you're hearing the same
noise that you were hearing before replacing the struts, that's probably
not the problem.

Bill Putney
(To reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my
address with the letter 'x')

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Bob Shuman - 18 Mar 2008 01:36 GMT

Also assuming the noise is coming from the front end, were the strut bearing
plates replaced too, or just the struts themselves? (Just a thought ... I
would have put money on the sway bar links.

Bob

>> Replaced struts, links, bushings, outer tie rod ends,... and STILL have
>> an annoying clunk when driving down the road. Any known solutions?
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
> (To reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my address
> with the letter 'x')

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Kevin Bootz - 19 Mar 2008 02:54 GMT

Bob,
Bearing plates(?) weren't replaced.

Bill,
Are these the same bushings that are in the cradle attached with 10 155
ft-lb bolts? Not replaced either way - didn't think to check there.

Thanks to all

> Also assuming the noise is coming from the front end, were the strut
> bearing plates replaced too, or just the struts themselves? (Just a
[quoted text clipped - 20 lines]
>> (To reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my
>> address with the letter 'x')

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Steph - 18 Mar 2008 16:01 GMT

> Replaced struts, links, bushings, outer tie rod ends,... and STILL
> have an annoying clunk when driving down the road. Any known
> solutions?
>
> Thanks

Sway-bar bushings are a common cause. Did you replace them with the other
hardware? I have a 2002 with 100k on it and a new set of bushing in the
glove box -- just waiting for some time to raise it up and change em out.

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Kevin Bootz - 19 Mar 2008 02:51 GMT

Bushings - yes. My 2002 S10 Crew Cab LS has the same annoying clunk. Chevy
Dealership TSB fix is to put additional shims(washers) in to increase the
clearance under torsion - same engineer? I just want to make sure this is
something "normal" when driving the G-Kids around.

Thanks

>> Replaced struts, links, bushings, outer tie rod ends,... and STILL
>> have an annoying clunk when driving down the road. Any known
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> hardware? I have a 2002 with 100k on it and a new set of bushing in the
> glove box -- just waiting for some time to raise it up and change em out.

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