"Ashton Crusher" > wrote in message
...
> 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.
>


Ditto especially going over bumps or turning the wheel when sitting still.