Typically that type of noise is not a serious safety issue but to be safe the steering and suspension systems should be inspected at a tire and alignment shop. You may be feeling the clunking from a worn engine mount. Worn ball joints have the potential to separate and cause loss of control and a crash, but those, and struts, control arm bushings, and tie rod ends don't make just one clunk. They rattle continuously, especially over bumps in the road.
There is a tool you might be able to borrow or rent from an auto parts store that borrows them called the "Chassis Ear". It is a set of six microphones, a switch box, and headphones. You clip the microphones to suspect points, then drive around while listening with the headphones. You can move the microphones around to zero in on the source of the noise. Be aware that many mechanics have never seen or even heard of this tool. Suspension and alignment mechanics use it to find rattles, squeaks, and other noises.
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Tuesday, September 10th, 2013 AT 11:01 PM