The chase is over......
 

at least it seems so. I have been chasing that illusive clunk for a while now and I believe it is finally gone for good. That is until the parts wear out again.

Here is a list of what I have done since it started last year.

#1 - replaced the sway bar end links. This helped but the noise was not totally gone.

#2 - replaced front struts and strut mounts and also rear shocks. There was absolutely no rebound on the struts. TOASTED! This made a huge difference in ride and handling but that annoying thunk could still be heard when the suspension traveled very far out of the norm.

#3 - replaced lower control arm bushings and sway bar bushings. The control arm bushing on the passenger side was almost non-existent. I could feel the right front wheel kick backward when I applied the brakes. The driver side was not as bad but was well on its way. The sway bar bushings were wallowed out. Replaced with poly greaseable ones so hopefully they will last a while.


Now some insight on the repairs. All in all the last repairs were not hard. Took about 3-1/2 hours to do everything. The sway bar bushings were easier to replace with the control arm out of the way. I could see what every one was talking about trying to get to that nut on the rear bolt for the sway bar mount. There is a little spring/lock type washer that holds the bolt in place to keep it from dropping out when the nut is off. I have an air compressor and air ratchet so I held the nut in place with a wrench and spun the bolt out with the air ratchet. Once the bolt was removed the nut was out of the way and the old bracket lifted easily off.

On the lower control arm bushing, if you can afford a newer lower control arm assembly, that is the way to go. Removing the old bushing from the control arm is a PITA! Probably would have been able to knock an hour off of install time with a new assembly plus you get a new lower ball joint as well.

I dont mind doing these jobs when I have time. My garage time is like therapy for me. On a scale of 1 to 10 (10 being the hardest) I give this one a 6. I have done alot harder jobs on cars in my garage.

Sorry for the long read. Now to enjoy the smooth quiet ride!:thumb:

Vince-

Cool... How many miles does your '08 have ?

I have just under 88,000 on mine. The roads around Houston are brutal on my suspension.

Quick update..... I love my little black Panel again! The ride is awsome and no more clunking noises. The ride to work this morning was so smooth and the steering nice and tight again. Feels like it did when it was new.:monkeydance: