Clunking?

Tiny
DUSTANGEL1974
  • MEMBER
  • 2005 FORD FOCUS
  • 2.0L
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 122,000 MILES
Just bought a 2005 Ford focus zx5 off dealership and yes its used. But I was driving home the other day and heard clunk noise. Now.I took it to. Garage and they said tie rod end is loose. Would that make a clunk noise when driving down the road? Also when I put it I reverse or drive it seems to clunk a little when put in gear. Any suggestions?
Thursday, March 31st, 2016 AT 11:09 AM

19 Replies

Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
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Check axles and have front end checked it may be struts. Your steering would be sloppy if it were a tie rod end.
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Thursday, March 31st, 2016 AT 12:08 PM
Tiny
DUSTANGEL1974
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Ok thank you!
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Thursday, March 31st, 2016 AT 12:31 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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Please let us know what you find
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Monday, April 4th, 2016 AT 3:09 PM
Tiny
DUSTANGEL1974
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Well turns out was the differential in the transmission so needless to say I returned it to the dealer. Won't attempt to buy a car off them again. Thanks for help.
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Tuesday, April 5th, 2016 AT 1:45 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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Thanks for getting back to us, please use 2Carpros. Com anytime
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Tuesday, April 5th, 2016 AT 2:16 PM
Tiny
DEBINPR
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  • 2005 FORD FOCUS
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
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Everytime I start my car in the morning, it makes a noise, like a clunk, sounds like from passenger side pr perhaps from back. Within a few seconds, car seems to run fine otherwise.
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Sunday, September 27th, 2020 AT 1:06 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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Could the noise be coming from the fuel tank? Also, check the exhaust to make sure it is tight and not hitting anything.

Let me know what you find.

Joe
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Sunday, September 27th, 2020 AT 1:06 PM (Merged)
Tiny
-MARION53
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  • 2004 FORD FOCUS
  • 14,500 MILES
. If I grab the tire I can actually move it. Everything seems to be tight. What could it be? It drives fine, no pulling or anything. Clunking stops when you step on the breaks
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Sunday, September 27th, 2020 AT 1:06 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
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You can move it but seems to be tight. Hmm. Do you mean the wheel is tight on the brake drum but the drum and wheel together move? That would be a sign of a defective wheel bearing.
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Sunday, September 27th, 2020 AT 1:06 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HEXONX
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  • 2004 FORD FOCUS
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I don't know anything about my friends Ford Focus other then it makes one single noise that worries us both. Every time she backs out of a parking space, comes to a stop then shifts the Automatic 5-speed into first gear, turns steering to the left and begins to move forward we hear one single fairly loud "CLUNK" sound. Every time it sounds the same, happens at the same time and only happens once! I don't remember the car making any other noises but she says it may happen every time the car begins to move forward from a stop but just not as load! Whatever!
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Sunday, September 27th, 2020 AT 1:06 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MHPAUTOS
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Hi there,

I would suggest that you have the suspension & steering checked for a worn component, also get the engine mounts checked and the drive shaft nuts are tightened correctly.

Mark (mhpautos)
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Sunday, September 27th, 2020 AT 1:06 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MOLLY LENO
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  • 2003 FORD FOCUS
  • 2.0L
  • MANUAL
  • 156 MILES
We fixed front end damage on this car. We replaced fans and radiator and pulled out front bumper. Now while driving it makes a clunk noise when I shift from gear to gear.
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Sunday, September 27th, 2020 AT 1:06 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JOHNNYT73
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Have someone check your motor mounts, transmission mount, and that your sub-frame bolts are tight.
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Sunday, September 27th, 2020 AT 1:06 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CFUSCO
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  • 2001 FORD FOCUS
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I can hear clunking sounds when going over bumps, but also when turning and especially when backing up and turning at the same time. Only 50K - no money to fix - what could it be and is it something I can drive with for a while?
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Sunday, September 27th, 2020 AT 1:06 PM (Merged)
Tiny
LEGITIMATE007
  • MECHANIC
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Sounds like you have some cv joint problems, and or struts. You may be able to drive it (if this is the problem) for several weeks but it will have to be addressed asap, and do not go to the dealer please( they will try to rip you off). Just be carefull driving, no sharp fast turns and be careful of the bumps you should be ok
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Sunday, September 27th, 2020 AT 1:06 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KADAMO
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  • 2001 FORD FOCUS
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Just bought my focus a month ago, it was saftied at the time. Ive noticed it not driving as smooth as it was before. It was kind of swaying back and forth and also there was a clunking noise. So I took it in. They told me the bushings were completly rotten! And also said it would cost $2000 to fix it! I find this odd as it was just saftied. Is it possible in a month for that to happen? Or are they screwing with me, also does it cost that much to replace bushings?
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Sunday, September 27th, 2020 AT 1:07 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BLACKOP555
  • MECHANIC
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Bushings will most likely cause that go under and look at the control arm bushings rock car and see if theres play in them. If so they are bad.

The price for the part is 48 bucks a side sometimes you cant remove them so youd need two new control arms which I suggest for 129 a piece then it would only take.9 hours a piece

stabilizer bar bushing is 10 bucks a piece you need two and that labor is 1.5 hours for both sides. So no where near 2000 for what they want to do
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Sunday, September 27th, 2020 AT 1:07 PM (Merged)
Tiny
IHVFRKLES
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  • 2001 FORD FOCUS
My car is idyling rough and a kind of clunking sound, it is louder when put in neutral
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Sunday, September 27th, 2020 AT 1:07 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RIVERMIKERAT
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Rasmataz is correct. However, the clunking sound worries me. This tells me that there are at least two problems. The first one is causing the rough idle(usually a vacuum leak, but now it can be almost anything). The second problem is causing the clunking. Without hearing it, but hearing you say it gets louder when you shift into neutral tells me it could be a bad rod bearing, push rod(could also cause rough idle) or flat cam lobe(also could cause rough idle).

Ruling out the vacuum leak is easy: Spray all vacuum connections and fittings with brake cleaner or carb and choke cleaner. The engine wills tumble badly when the leak source is sprayed. Also spray the interface between intake manifold and heads and carburetor (is so equipped). Unplug plug wires individually. The engine should smooth out a little if a bad cylinder is disconnected. Get the manual for your car and check to see what the voltage should be across the O2 sensor and tps sensor. Check the fuel pressure at the regulator. Check all of the spark plugs for carbon buildup or fouling.
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Sunday, September 27th, 2020 AT 1:07 PM (Merged)

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