Front end noise while driving over bumps/rough road?

EXTRABAD8

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2007 CHRYSLER 300
3.5L
V6
2WD
AUTOMATIC
78,000 MILES

My car has been making noise from the front end while driving around 10-40 MPH over bumps/rough road. It sounds like the strut mount or something from the front left side thumping around. I have replaced on both sides, the sway bar bushings, links, struts, upper control arms, both for and aft lower control arms and the calipers have been rebuilt with new bushings and brakes and new rotors. I’ve also had it to two different Firestone’s, two different Chrysler dealerships and it also spent two weeks in a suspension/alignment shop, and nobody can seem to find out what’s causing the noise. I just can’t figure out what else it could be. It drives straight as an arrow and runs and brakes perfectly.

9 Replies

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
47,643 POSTS

It could be a body issue; can you upload a short video of the noise so I can hear it? You can do so in your reply. I have also seen a loose brake caliper cause these kinds of noises and most people overlook it. You can remove the wheels and grasp the left side caliper to see if you can duplicate the noise.

This guide can help as well:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/popping-noise

Let us know what happens and please upload pictures or videos of the problem.

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Friday, January 6th, 2023 AT 12:09 PM

EXTRABAD8

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Here’s the noise it’s making.

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Friday, January 6th, 2023 AT 2:58 PM

KEN L

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Yep, that is a noisy one, thanks for the video. Can you tell front or rear of the car because it sounds like a strut has come apart internally. Did it make noise before you replace the struts or after? If after you have a defective strut. Also use a flashlight to check the lower control arm bushings. Check out the images (below). Please let us know what happens.

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Saturday, January 7th, 2023 AT 11:08 AM

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It made that noise before I replaced the struts. That’s why I replaced all those components and it’s definitely coming from the front left side.

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Saturday, January 7th, 2023 AT 2:32 PM

KEN L

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When you did the struts did you do the strut mounts as well? # 9 in the photo.

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Sunday, January 8th, 2023 AT 6:07 PM

EXTRABAD8

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I installed the Monroe quick struts, so it came with news springs and all.

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Sunday, January 8th, 2023 AT 6:54 PM

KEN L

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Hmm. It seems like it is a body issue. Will it make the noise when standing still if you put your knee on the bumper and press the car downward?

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Monday, January 9th, 2023 AT 2:10 PM

EXTRABAD8

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No, it’ll only make the noise when you’re driving it. I am curious though now if it isn’t the wheel moving fwd and backwards. I went slowly over a tall speed bump today and it didn’t make any noise on the upwards direction but as it started the downward slope, it made a popping/clunk noise. All the shops have been checking up and downplay and I wonder if it’s for and aft play. I’ve got to figure out a way to isolate that front left wheel and push the car for and aft.

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Monday, January 9th, 2023 AT 9:04 PM

KEN L

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I had a thought, it could be the cradle bolts either loose or need replacing. Here are the mounts so you can check them out. Also looks at the sway bar frame mounts to make sure they are okay. Check out the images (below). Please let us know what happens.

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