theboginator

How would I best be able to identify a bad motor/transmission mount? Aside from the obvious cracking or total separation of a mount, is there any way to check them for excessive play? I'd be more inclined to suspect a transmission mount than an engine mount as I can't feel any significant engine vibrations from the cabin and as I understand it, the well-balanced boxer engine tends to not stress the mounts very much at all. I was really was hoping I would not have to start digging in deep to find this noise hopefully I will get a chance to get some video of the noise tonight.

I'll try to get a video of the noise some time this week and share it. I've replaced the endlinks there's no more play and I tightened the bolts to spec. I did not change the bushings yet, that's next, hopefully tomorrow morning if not then Friday, when I change the other control arm as well. I've noticed the clunking sound isn't exclusively triggered by bumps. It can (but not always does) happen if the transmission (4EAT) experiences a rough shift.

Thanks for all these suggestions everyone! As I said earlier I replaced the drivers side control arm but the noises continue I'll still replace the passengers side because I've noticed the new bushings have improved the handling a little bit (maybe I'm just imagining things but steering feels a lot tighter) I will be taking it for a front end alignment after I've done the passenger side control arm and ball joint. I've checked my struts there's no signs of leaking or any visible damage but with 220k on them it might just be time for new ones. There's no play in anything and all the bolts are tight, though so this is frustrating me to no end!

Hi everyone My 08 Legacy 2.5i SE has decided to start making clunking noises from the front end. The noise largely occurs when driving over small to medium size bumps at low speed, and sometimes it happens with no bump at all! When I roll my windows down it sounds like it's coming mainly from the driver's side. Its a distinctive clunk noise but also sometimes a metal "clatter" like 2 pieces of metal separating and coming back together really fast. The best I can liken it to is the sound of driving over a loose manhole cover. Never makes the noise on the highway, also the clunk (but not clatter) goes away for a couple days after I've jacked up the front end to look. So far troubleshooting steps I've tried: -Checked for play/loose nuts on strut/spring; all look ok -Checked endlinks for play; didn't discover any issues until I tried to wiggle them with the car lowered. Replaced w/ Moog and while the noises continue there is no more play in the sway bar -Replaced driver's side lower control arm and balljoint; bushings were worn with definite tearing although not looking too bad for 226k. Took it for a test drive and while I can't hear clunking (yet) the metal clatter continues. Any advice anyone can offer would be welcome.