Front End Clunk - Inner Tie Rods?

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md1twal3

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So like many of you, I've done some work on the front suspension of my LS. :) Parts replaced due to being worn include:

1. Upper ball joints (complete control arms)
2. Lower ball joints
3. Outer Tie Rod Ends
4. Sway Bar Links and Bushings (torqued and retorqued)
5. Struts and strut plates
6. Hubs & VSS on both sides
7. Brakes and Rotors

The car is significantly improved but I still have clunking over bumps and with bigger bumps, the car wants to hop across the road.

I jacked up the front, locked the steering wheel and rocked the wheels back and forth at the wheel to see if I could identify inner tie rod play but didn't notice anything.

I'm wondering if anyone else has gone through this and if (even though inspection doesn't reveal play) the inner tie rod ends took care of the issue.

Or, what about the rack bushings where it mounts to the frame? I pried on the rack and didn't see movement but could they still be the cause?

The clunking feels like it is behind the engine and resinates into the floor boards.

Thoughts?
 
Usually a clunk is the stabilizer bar bushings and/or end links. Judging by your list of repairs either something has gone bad that you have already replaced or the lower control arm bushings are shot. You've done everything else it seem so just take your suspension rebuild all the way and install new lower control arms and be done.
 
I don't recall the size I used but do know I was aware of the different sizes and did the research to hopefully make the right decision. With the clunk I have, I should be able to wiggle the bar a little. I'll get under it this weekend and see.

I did not use the greasible ones so maybe I should just do over and put them in.

I have the sport suspension, just to be sure, which size should I be using?
 
Measure the diameter of your sway bar, when installed correctly there should not be any play.
No wiggling of any kind.
 
md1twal3 said:
...
I have the sport suspension, just to be sure, which size should I be using?
Click to expand...

If you have a sport, you need 30mm or 1 3/16 bushings.

Sport are 30mm, Non-sport are 27mm.

I have an 01 V8 Sport and I got the 9.5171 Universal - Greaseable Sway Bar Bushings 1-3/16 in / 30mm

http://www.energysuspensionparts.com/proddetail.asp?prod=9.5171


DON'T get the red ones!



How are these two colors different?

The only difference between the red and black parts is that most Black Energy Suspension parts are Graphite Impregnated. This serves to help self lubricate the bushings.
The Red parts do not have this characteristic. Aside from the actual color and the lack of being Graphite Impregnated - the red parts are essentially the same as the black.



I thought that the RED parts were harder and more performance oriented?

This is a common misconception. The red parts have the same durometer (hardness) as the Black parts and differ only
in their actual appearance (color) and the fact that they're NOT graphite impregnated like the Black parts.



Up to you of course!
 
Thanks for the information guys! I'll get a look at my bar this weekend but think I'll plan on picking up the greaseable ones and install them regardless. :)
 
the 9.5171's are the "greasable" ones.
Also pre-grease them on install.
 
md1twal3 said:
Thanks for the information guys! I'll get a look at my bar this weekend but think I'll plan on picking up the greaseable ones and install them regardless. :)
Click to expand...

I'm gonna look at the bar this weekend too....for some vodka redbull. Good luck...let us know what you find out.
 
hite337 said:
I'm gonna look at the bar this weekend too....for some vodka redbull. Good luck...let us know what you find out.
Click to expand...

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