Clunking from driver side wheel area

KRISKINZIE

MEMBER
2000 SATURN SL2
76,000 MILES

I have a 2000 saturn sl2 and it makes a clunking noise driver front, these noises occur when I brake and accelerate and when turning I have no problem going over bumps

Sunday, May 13th, 2012 AT 5:58 PM

8 Replies

ASEMASTER6371

MECHANIC
52,797 POSTS

I would look at the bushings in the lower arm as well as any loose steering parts.

Roy

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Sunday, May 13th, 2012 AT 6:46 PM

SATURNTECH9

MECHANIC
30,869 POSTS

Just to add to this one if it goes from one lower control arm to the other lower control that is the sway bar. Also another thing I have seen is the lower control arms loosen up where they pivot on the subframe and make a poping noise. They have to be really tight that nut and bolt or they will pop.

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Sunday, May 13th, 2012 AT 9:05 PM

JDMEG6

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1 POST
1997 SATURN SL2

Noises problem
1997 Saturn SL2 Front Wheel Drive Automatic

while turning we can hear a loud clunk from the front driverside, and it's accompanied by a sudden jerk.
This also happens when we brake too. I tried looking for loose components and even checked if the axle may be busted but the boots are good. I have little experience with the driveshafts. Only time I have replaced a driveshaft was in my civic after the motor fell on it and busted the boot open. But I noticed with the sl2 when I turn the wheel the driveshaft bends into a 90 degree angle, i'm not sure if that is the way it works or not.

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Thursday, March 28th, 2019 AT 6:21 PM (Merged)

SATURNTECH9

MECHANIC
30,869 POSTS

If its that bad should be pretty easy to find it set ur ebrake on a level surface put wood behind ur rear tires. Jack up the front end and put a jack stand on the drivers side where ur jacking point is make sure the jack stand has a slot for ur pinch weld to slide in let the car down onto the jack stand so the wheel is off the ground. Now grab the wheel in the 9 and 3 postion move it back and fourth feel looseness now grab the wheel in the 12 and 6 postion do the same thing if nothing there then check ur lower control arm bushing on the frame make sure its real tight they loosen up over time. Check ur sway bar bracket bolts that hold the sway bar to frame make sure there tight. Check ur sway bar link end nuts make sure there tight. Check ur sway bar ends the big nuts make sure there tight. Check all four of ur cradle bolts the big 18mm that holds ur sub frame in. Chek the two bolts that hold ur strut to ur knuckle make sure there tight. Check the 3 nuts that hold ur strut to the body of the car. Check the nut that holds the strut shaft to the strut shaft. Let me knolw what u find.
Louie

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Thursday, March 28th, 2019 AT 6:21 PM (Merged)