Metal to metal clunk when going over bumps/potholes in the road

Hi my name is Dan.

Sounds like you could have something loose or worn out in the suspension. Any idea if the noise is from the back or the front of the car? I've attached an article to help you narrow down the source of the clunk.

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

Based on this info, I would suspect you have a ball joint issue or a strut assembly that is bottoming out due to leaking the fluid out of it.

Here are a couple guides that will help with this info.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/replace-shock-absorber

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/lower-control-arm-bushing-replacement

We need to check each of these and the easiest way is to that is follow the info below. The shock will have oil or dirt covered oil if they are leaking. The ball joints will have play when checked this way. Please see below for more info and we can go from there.

Thanks

It comes from the front passenger area. I can sometimes feel it in the floorboard. Sounds as if the strut is bottoming out. I replaced the strut assembly, sway bar link, lower rear torque strut mount, and the top motor mount/anchor.

The strut is only about a month old. I replaced it with a quick strut so the shock is built into it. the ball joints passed the eye test i’ll have to wait to check them this way until i get home.

Let us know what you find. Another thought I have is the subframe (engine cradle) mounting bolts. These are often overlooked. There are 4 main bolts that hold the subframe to the car plus some smaller ones. See the attached installation guide for your car with the torques specs.

I think I’ve narrowed it down to the subframe mount that goes to the control arm (Nissan refers to it as the “right upper suspension link”). I have one on the way.
Today on my ride home i started hearing a rattle/chatter sound coming from the driver side this time. Not sure if its a coincidence or caused by whatever is going on with the passenger side. It only happens at low speeds mainly when on bumpy roads.

Hi,

I noticed we haven't been in contact with you for a couple of days. Has any progress been made? Also, I attached a pic below. Is the highlighted part the one you are replacing?

Let us know.

Take care,

Joe

See pic below.

Yes, that is the correct. It did smooth out the ride, however it did not fix my clunking issue. It definitely helped out but i still get noise on some bumps/potholes. When you say the subframe bolts, are you saying the bolts are defective or that they could be loose?

Hi,

When you replaced the struts, was it a complete assembly? Is the noise loud enough for you to record and upload for me to hear?

As far as the subframe, he was referring to the cross member under the engine. See the attached pic. I highlighted where there are bushings that could be bad or loose.

You did check things related to the sway bar, correct? There are bushings on them as well as stabilizer links.

Let me know.

Joe

Yes, the strut was the full assembly. I'm not sure if it's loud enough but I’ll try to get it on video.
I checked the bushings for play with a pry bar and nothing looked loose.
I replaced the sway bar links around the same time i replaced the strut.
I’m thinking of moving to the tie rods next. Couldn't they cause similar symptoms to mine?

Usually the tie rods cause a feeling of wander or looseness in the steering wheel, but they could make a noise also. With the car jacked up, drip the wheel at 3 and 9 o'clock and shake lightly side to side to feel for clunking or looseness.
https://www.2carpros.com/articles/tie-rod-end-replacement

Another item to check is to see if your brake caliper slide pins are loose. With the wheel off, grasp the caliper and try to move it up and down, there should be no play at all.


https://www.2carpros.com/articles/brake-caliper-replacement

Here is a video of the sound.

Good afternoon,

There was no noise that I detected in the video.

I suspect the lower ball joint may be the issue. An eye test will tell you nothing.

You need to jack up the car and use a pry bar under the tire and see if there is up and down movement or side to side.

Check that for us and let us know.

Roy

The sound happens at around 11 seconds. Sounds kind of like a horse galloping or something after the bump.
I’ll get back to you in a few on the ball joints.
Thanks

Sounds like a plan.

We will be here.

Roy