Mustangmaster

Finally got my front end thunk fixed today. I let it slide for 40,000 miles. Took it to a reputable local shop. They drove it, put the car up on a lift, shoved up on the sway bar link on the driver's side and could replicate the thunk sound. They replaced the sway bar links on both sides. Said they should be replaced in sets and the sound is gone. So, it wasn't loose bolts on the sway bar link or upper strut mounts for me. It was a damaged sway bar link itself. I asked the mechanic did I most likely dip in a big whole driving down the road. He didn't really answer that. He said the main reason these get damaged is because they are can't be greased. The thunk is gone...$265.00 later.

5PT0KonaBlu

Mine (2012 GT) is at the dealer's today getting new lower control arms and bushings. I first noticed with about 500-600 miles on the car. First time I took it in they said they couldn't duplicate it. A few weeks later I stopped in and took a ride with a tech in passenger seat and he definitely heard it. They scheduled me the following day and they said they found a TSB with control arm replacement as the cure. My aggravation was why they didn't connect to that the first time it was in?! Anyway they had to order the parts and here we are. I'll post back after seeing if my clunking/creaking goes away. Later!

5PT0KonaBlu

New lower control arms and so far, so good. Thunk & creak have disappeared, hopefully for good.

wolfey2k

Merry Xmas everybody!

Haven't been on this site much less this thread in years.......
Had several old messages from enquirers as to getting the front suspension clunking / thunking noise taken care of, got curious as to where the answer's I posted for youz folks went....
Found it after some digging......

https://mustangforums.com/mustang-ts...VER-BUMPS.html

What I found out from the engineers is that the rubber material they used to make the strut bushings was the wrong material for the job. Too hard and rigid. They came up with new or better material and fixed the problem. I haven't had so much as a thump out of my front end since they replaced all the bad parts for free back in late '07 or so.

Oh and just for the heck of it, I HATE what FORD did to our beloved Mustangs in 2011!
Love the new updated 5.0 drive-train and some of the interior mods but they totally screwed up the rear fascia with that stupid looking smiley face shape and gawdy oversized oval pony emblem!

I still have my '07 pony, haven't done any further mods since '07.
She only has 46k miles on-er!

If anyone hasn't already done so, go get those new upper strut bushings.
The dealer should replace those parts for FREE! And don't take no or duh for an answer!
Wolfey2k

Det.FrankBullitt

My 2008 had the thunking. My first test drive at the dealership with the salesman in the car It thunked. I said wtf was that? Salesman said they all did it. We took 3 brand new mustangs out and same thump at the same bump. I still bought the car. In hindsight I gotta wonder whats up with fords engineers. The front end noise, the drive shaft, third gear clash, and spark plug issues. I thought they do testing on this stuff before they put the car on the market. I love my Mustang GT but I wish they had built it " Ford Tuff" as their TV commercials say.

ancona46

my 2010 does this same thing too they change the pass side control arm twice and "adjusted" the sway bar like 4 times and it still does it they say "its normal" which is complete bull**** and they refuse to work on the car anymore

Old Mustanger

My SN 95 had the clunk at low speeds when turning sharp. It turned out to be a bad bushing on the pass side lower control arm.

06yz125

Well...I changed the strut mounts...clunk still there.

While removing the strut noticed some play in the lower
bolts. Is this normal?

Removed the front sway bar...clunk gone. BUT..the end links
seem fine. Any other recomendations?

nawagner

The first thing that you should always check is the sway bar end links. They need to be really tight.

By lower bolts, do you mean the ball joints or the sway link bolts?

06yz125

Thank You for the reply.

I read this whole thread...WOW
So this is driving me nuts like everyone else.

Yes...I torqued the end link bolts to 80# before removing
the sway bar and took it for a drive. Clunk still there.

Then removed the sway bar and end links..took for a
drive...clunk gone. Funny thing is the end link joints
are not loose at all.

The bolt holes that are loose are the ones that attach the
spindle hub to the lower strut. I can move the spindle
with the bolts in. (not tightened of course) I know a little
movement there is OK...it just seems like more than what
I would expect.

I am thinking..maybe.. with the sway bar connected its moving
the lower strut bolts since the link ends "seem" fine.

I guess if anyone could tell me..If the end link ball joints
are tight and the links torqued to 80#..could it still clunk?

Also..the front strut bushings "seem" fine to. No dry rot or
cracking. They do slide on the bar with a little pressure.

I am SO confused..

Thanks again for the reply.