slowurroll Posted October 19, 2015 Share Posted October 19, 2015 Hey guys. As the title states, I have a clunk (more of a fairly subtle thump) when driving over rough paved roads and slightly over speed bumps as well (depending on speed). It's not real loud but I am not sure what it's coming from. The car has nearly 100k on the clock so I imagine things are likely to be worn out. I have read that it could be a busing in the front LCA or possible the shocks/struts. Any input on this? Where should I look first? Could sway bar bushings be the cause of this as well? I am wanting to start upgrading suspension all around anyway but if I can eliminate this thump first, that's where I'll start. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluesuby Posted October 19, 2015 Share Posted October 19, 2015 Sounds like it could be any of those. Take it to a trusted shop that knows Subarus. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
apexi Posted October 20, 2015 Share Posted October 20, 2015 I feel like my car has always been pretty loud and clunky when going over bumpy roads.. Still couldn't hurt to replace some aged suspension components. Front sway bar bushings are cheap and fairly easy to replace. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slowurroll Posted October 20, 2015 Author Share Posted October 20, 2015 I did some more reading and hear it was kind of normal for these cars to do that. Which frankly is depressing lol. I will definitely be looking at replacing some suspension components. I thought about switching to the tribeca front sway with new poly bushings to help get rid of the high speed sway that is as bad if not worse than my 7" lifted truck was. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baconbits Posted October 21, 2015 Share Posted October 21, 2015 Many here recommend trying the front sway bar end links first. I had new top hats, coilovers, sway bar bushings, and lower control arm bushings in the front before installing new ball joints and tie rod ends. The only things that hadn't been replaced were the front end links, tie rod ends, and the ball joints. Turns out the ball joints were the source of my clunk. I still haven't replaced the end links but the clunk is gone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slowurroll Posted October 21, 2015 Author Share Posted October 21, 2015 Hm. I'm hoping that if indeed the clunk is able to solved, that I am not replacing everything under the sun lol. But I guess it couldn't hurt either way. I think sway bar and end links will be up first. Then I'll move to either lower control arm bushings or new springs and struts w/top hats. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whitetiger Posted October 21, 2015 Share Posted October 21, 2015 always start with the swaybar bushings links and mounts. easy and cheap to replace. next is LCA bushings and struts and mounts, then tierod ends and ball joints. all that will cover 98% of suspension noise sources, and all can be tested for play on jack stands in your driveway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slowurroll Posted October 21, 2015 Author Share Posted October 21, 2015 That's good to know and super helpful. Thanks. I'll be sure to start looking into that. Depending on how much I set for a budget for this car over the next little bit, that will determine what I end up doing. But at the very lease I will replace the sway bar bushings and links. Question on that. I know the bushings will change but if I upgrade end links and later decide to move to the thicker tribeca front sway bar, will the end links I previously purchased still work? I would think so but want to be sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whitetiger Posted October 21, 2015 Share Posted October 21, 2015 they should, but if the TB bar may be a special animal. not sure if installation requires different than stock shaped links. do research. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slowurroll Posted October 22, 2015 Author Share Posted October 22, 2015 I've done a bit of research and reading and everything I have found so far indicates they will still work. But I'll find out for sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonnyJagaru Posted October 27, 2015 Share Posted October 27, 2015 This sounds like shocks/dampers losing oil to me. Time to replace them. If you want to be really frugal you can drill a hole in them, tap them and then put on a grease nipple to fill them up with 20 weight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
digdug18 Posted November 9, 2015 Share Posted November 9, 2015 So instead of finding and fixing the problem, you're planning on upgrading to bigger sway bar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slowurroll Posted November 9, 2015 Author Share Posted November 9, 2015 So instead of finding and fixing the problem, you're planning on upgrading to bigger sway bar. First off I plan to find and fix the problem regardless. A bigger sway bar was in the plans already so if a new sway and new end links helps, then great. If not, the shocks and struts will likely be next. The aging suspension could use an upgrade anyway so I don't see harm in replacing different things that could potentially be the problem. And if they aren't, I will move on to something else. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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