On Tue, 02 Sep 2014 19:07:34 -0400, "Percival P. Cassidy"
> wrote:
>On 09/01/14 03:22 pm, Percival P. Cassidy wrote:
>
>>>> 2002 300M with Performance Handling Package. 135K miles.
>>>>
>>>> Not-so-loud low-pitched "clunking" noise on uneven surfaces at low
>>>> speed -- e.g., when coasting (not necessarily braking) as I approach a
>>>> red light or stop sign.
>>>>
>>>> Can't say that I've noticed the noise at higher speeds.
>>>>
>>>> No suspension or steering parts have ever been replaced.
>>>>
>>>> Where do I start looking? What might it cost me to fix? What special
>>>> tools would I need to tackle the job myself?
>>>
>>> Suspension bushings. At the age of the vehicle, the inner tie rod
>>> bushings are almost guaranteed to need replacement. You can either
>>> spend a little bit of money at NAPA/Carquest/whoever for
>>>
>>> http://www.carquest.com/webapp/wcs/s...1262?acesApp=1
>>>
>>>
>>> Or spend a fortune on a special service tool and have a nightmare trying
>>> to install the OEM replacement part. I did the latter once on my wife's
>>> 2000 Intrepid, and then learned about the former and did that the second
>>> time.
>>>
>>> (note, while I'll predict without looking at the vehicle that you'll
>>> need those bushings, there's a bunch of other bushings that may well
>>> need replacement).
>>
>> I have the inner tie-rod end bushings (from NAPA rather than from
>> CarQuest, but they look the same and cost about the same), but now I
>> look at the service manual I see they say to use some special tool to
>> compress the bushings into the tie-rod ends. Do I really need the
>> special tool? -- so far haven't tried installing without.
>
>Doh! I had put the kit away again after opening it and had forgotten
>that the new bushings are split and therefore don't need the special
>tool. Haven't done the job yet, but as I was driving around today it
>seemed that the clunking was more under the car rather than merely under
>the hood. Tie-rod *outer* ends?
>
>Perce
I've had cars that had clunking noises in the front from the upper
mount on the strut being bad.