The car is a 2002 Cavalier 2.2 (non-ecotec) automatic. I get a loud clunking noise in the passenger side when i accelerate or hit the brakes. If i accelerate and it makes the clunk, i have to hit the brakes to make it clunk again. I've replaced the strut tower, cv axle, 2 engine mounts, transmission mount and now both lower control arm bushings. If the car is in park and i rock it back and forth i can make the noise again, if i rock it hard enough. Any and all help is appreciated, this sound is driving me nuts lol.
Maybe an issue with the actual struts/springs?
2002 Pontiac Sunfire SE Sedan 2.2l Ecotec 4 Speed Auto.
when you say strut tower do you mean strut mount? i know jbodies are common to clunk with old strut mounts.
Not the mount up top where it bolts to car, but the part that holds the spring with the shock in it that mounts to the top of the spindle.
Yep, Sounds like your strut bushing is shot. There is a metal sleeve that is fused to a rubber boot of sorts. Once the metal sleeve separates from the rubber, you'll get a distinctive clunk/thud when hitting pot-holes, speed-bums, hard acceleration/braking(when it gets really worn).
Later,
Jack
Thanks everyone for your input, I'll have to check on it soon. Thanks again.
Coree Buss wrote:Thanks everyone for your input, I'll have to check on it soon. Thanks again.
was that the problem? i had the same clunk when accelerating and braking hard and also going in and out of my girlfriends moms driveway, its one of the ones that's a rounded curb. after i got my camber plates the problem stopped and haven't had an issue since.
I'm betting strut mount as well.
PRND321 Till I DIE
Old Motor: 160whp & 152ft/lbs, 1/4 Mile 15.4 @88.2
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im currently having the same problem as the OP...
the noise mine makes has made it before&after i swapped the OEM struts, springs, and mounts. with a set of used tokicos, springs, and mounts
Only makes the noise when i accelerate, decelerate, or press the brake.
"If I'm not back in 5 minutes...just wait longer"
I just changed the front strut mount and its still making the clunking sound. This car is kicking my ass = (
Also i had an alignment done about a week ago after changing the front control arm bushings and within a day or two the right tire isn't straight and is pointing right when the wheel is straight. I don't know if it will help to identify the problem but i thought i should share.
Just now changed the inner tie rod, still making the clunking sound, i have a feeling its in the power steering rack.
have you checked the ball joints? just kinda throwing rocks in the dark, so I'm not sure if they can clunk and cause the alignment to go out.
One thing that can make A LOT of noise is a bad D bushing on a sway bar. Is your car equipped with one? Ball joints is another possibility though I admit I was in the strut mount camp before you changed them out.
Another place I would look is the big bolt that holds the control arms on. That bolt tends to back itself out and move around. I'm guessing that could make some serious noise. Pull it out and loctite the hell out of it, than run it back in.
"In Oldskool we trust"
Well, dont know if your issue is solved or not, but mine is solved. I had the 2 factory tranny mounts(rear mount only had 1/3 bolts in it) and 2 solid motor mounts, causing the drive train to shift sideways under load. Popped in solid mounts while changing my clutch, and the noise is mostly gone now. Hope this helps.
"If I'm not back in 5 minutes...just wait longer"
