The noise is back!!!

[n00b on demand]

Back in june i had reported a badddd clunking noise from the drivers side front wheel. It felt like the wheel was hitting my left foot when it was on the rest pedal. After a couple of days that noise and feeling went away and hasnt come back since. The ride feels smooth except for that one damn wheel. Today i tried to avoid a couple of potholes ( damn NY!!) i avoided the first but couldnt avoid the second and i hit it and then right after that the damn noise and feeling was back. My original thought was the strut mount went out but last time it only lasted for a few days and then went away. I'm thinking it would be constant if it was a strut mount. My next thought is a bushing. Ive been told its a rubber peice that moves everytime the suspension moves. This made perfect sense to me. I am going to get it checked out hopefully friday morning. What does everyone think it is? And if you know could ya link me to subaru parts for some prices?

[n00b on demand]

If i get to take it into the shop friday im going to tell the mechanic to lube up the undercarriage. Maybe that will solve my problem

[svx_commuter]

Well there isn't a thing to lube on the undercarriage. It might be your bushings in the lower control arm are loose or broken. These are rubber that are molded into the arm. It could also be the ball joint or the strut. I suggest you have the tech check it out.

[lee]

I would also take a quick look at the sway bar bushings. If you drive without much stress on the suspension (granny style) the sound only occurs with big loads to one side. You can also tell by hitting a speed bump at an angle. It's dark now, but I'm pretty sure you can crank the wheel to one side and look under and see if the rubber bushing is twisted & torn - it's on the bar located in front of the strut just where the fender liner meets the subframe (not too good a description, but hopefully you get the idea).

[n00b on demand]

Weird thing happened on my way back home tonight from school. The noise and feeling went away and now the suspension feels pretty good. Actually better than before. The same thing happened a while back when this first occured. The noise lasted for 2 or 3 days and went away untill today when i hit that pothole. Now its gone again. Pretty weird. I'm still planning to take it to a mechanic on friday morning to see what he thinks the problem is.

[n00b on demand]

Originally posted by lee
I would also take a quick look at the sway bar bushings. If you drive without much stress on the suspension (granny style) the sound only occurs with big loads to one side. You can also tell by hitting a speed bump at an angle. It's dark now, but I'm pretty sure you can crank the wheel to one side and look under and see if the rubber bushing is twisted & torn - it's on the bar located in front of the strut just where the fender liner meets the subframe (not too good a description, but hopefully you get the idea).

If it is indeed the bushings how much am i looking at to get it fixed?

[lee]

if that's all it is (and I suggested it not because I think it's a prime cause, but because it's an easy to check thing that does make noise) the cost is a about a half-hour in labor with a couple of wrenches and about $6 each for the bushings themselves (at SubaruParts.com - local prices vary of course).

[n00b on demand]

Thanks for the info Lee. I am thinking that its a bushing. The noise isnt constant as you can see. If it was constant i would think strut mount but it isnt constant and the ride now actually feels better than ever. That could all change tomorrow though. I was told that bushings can get knocked into a position where they wont make any noise and knocked into a position where it will make noise. So if that is indeed correct then I think it is a bushing.