Clunking noise when driving over bumps?
 

I have a 2005 Acura TL with about 55k on it. I've recently got my alignment done about a month ago (not sure if that has anything to do with it). But I've noticed over the past couple of weeks when I drive over a bump I hear a clunking type noise over the passenger front wheel area (and seems to be only coming from that side)

I was just wondering if you guys had any idea what it could be?

First I would check the sway bar endlinks. :)

Check boot condition and wiggle the hell out of them to ensure the ball joints aren't filled with slop.

I'd also check pass side engine mount, and the front and rear engine mount.

I have the same problem. It does not make noise when accelerating and only when coasting over bumps. I also get a rattling noise when in reverse and gets clunky sounding with acceleration. It sounds like its coming from the passenger side from the tire to the center console area. I took it to the shop and they could not find any loose suspension. They both started making noise at the same time and i believe they are related. I have not noticed any handling or transmission issues and runs/drives great.

I hope that someone can figure this out for us since it almost sounds like we have the same issue.

I don't we have the same problems (think mine has to doesn't with accelerating or anything like that). Just going over any kind of bump causes the clunking sound. If I go really really slow over a bump it doesn't clunk.

i'v got a similar issue but the clunk comes from the rear. sounds like its from the rear parcel. anyone know what it is?

Fixed mine today. Side Passenger and front motor mount are shot. No more problem, check your passenger motor mount.

Did it sort of sound like metal was snapping into place or out of place? Like something was stuck and then became unstuck. I hear the same thing - but only when turning the wheel over a bump - other shortly after hitting a bump - not all the time though.

After replacing my front shocks with factory parts, I noticed the same problem... clunk sounds coming from the passenger front everytime I hit a bump.. I hate the sound and want to take it to the dealer for them to check it out. BTW... I also have an 05 base TL

Aha! I have the EXACT same issue. I'm going to replace my passenger side motor mount and I will let you know how it goes! Do you have any new information about this?

I get a similar clunk.. I can actually feel it in the steering wheel over bumps or on take off and deceleration sometimes. I wonder if the compliance bushings are the cause? Started around 50k.

I have same issue replaced all motor mounts and shocks, springs, top mount bushing,still got the annoying clunk

I have the same thing. I recently replaced broken motor mounts and worn axles, and it's still there. Shop says its the lower control arms...

deff check all suspension aspects of that area; inner & outter tie rod, lower & upper ball joint, sway bar links ( most likely not it), strut top mount, bushings that are on the lower control arm

Noise
 

I have a 2004 TL and I have been experiencing a thumping or like something is loose from the right front tire. And it is only when I go over bumps (small or big). I am curious to know what it is and if it'll cost a lot.
Maybe someone has experienced the same dilemma.
FYI - it has 100K miles on it.

I had that problem a few years ago. Turned out to be the rear stabilizer bar end links.
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Not sure if you still have this issue, but yours sounds like your CV joints. Check the boots to see if they are torn first.

I think there is a TSB for the rear clunk over bumps, but want to say that was for the Type S. You might want to check the 3G garage if you still have this issue.

it is the rubber bushing around the lower control arm that needs to be replaced. The rubber bushing costs about $30 and the labour should be around $120.

Hey you may want to replace the front motor mount cause it had eliminated this issue on my car which is an 06. I would get a light clunk when I went over a speed bump or a garage lip. Also replace the side mount as well

I get a clunk/thunk that I can feel on my drivers side floor when shifting into drive from park or sometimes even on a cold start. The sound can also be replicated over bumps. What is it?

Replaced all motor mounts, transmission mounts, top mounts, sway endlinks.

Had the same issue. The side motor mount and side transmission mount (under the air filter box) were both broken. Completely silent after I replaced both.

Disappointingly, did not work for me. I replaced engine mount and timing belt side engine mount. The noise persists. Clucking noise heard over bumpy roads or if I imitate slalom driving around cones.

Replace swaybar endlinks and bushings and you'll be good to go. :thumbsup:

Wow thanks man!

Keep us posted if this works for you.

Checklist:
Motor Mounts
Sway bar Links(easy fix)
Sway bar bushings (require dropping the front subframe to replace)
Tie Rods
COMPLIANCE BUSHINGS( hugeeee problem on 3G TL)
Axles( this will usually cause other noises/issues)

I've been having this same problem as well. Mine was before replacing the front and side motor mounts. After, I had these 2 replaced the noise was gone. After a couple of months it came back when I went over a large speed bump and then it continued from there. Now just yesterday I had my brakes inspected and got my car back and now the noise is gone and the car almost feels a little more solid. Do you guys think this may have anything to do with the car going up on a lift maybe causing some movements??

Bump

I have an idea which is something I performed when determining if the noise I heard came from the LCA compliance bushing.

I jacked up the car and placed on stands.
I then used the jack to raise the lower control arm ( raise it right below where the strut fork mounts )

As I raised and lowered the vehicle I could hear that creaking noise coming from the compliance bushing.

give it a shot and see if that helps.

If the noise is coming from there and you plan on replacing it.
Make certain to purchase a lower ball joint too.
No matter how careful you are it will leak grease.

Let me know if you try this and the noise does come from there.
I can write something up on how to replace it and what you may encounter.

that lower ball joint isnt very easy to replace because it requires removing the whole knuckle to press out the ball joint

I had a hard time removing the ball joint using the press tool I rented from autozone.

I ended up banging it out with a 3 lb hammer.

but the press was useful when installing the new ball joint.

I had some noise also coming from the front end it ended up being one of the brake pad on the brembos ,guys check your brake pads and make sure there is no play in them.

I guess this will be next after I replace all the mounts and bushings.....

After 6 months of the dreaded clunking noise coming from the front end of my CL I finally found that it was my rear motor mount after changing the following: Front Struts, Break rotors and pads, Swaybar bushings and end links, left and right lower control arms, passenger side mount, left and right axel and Intermidiate half shaft. I was get the clunking noise from the smallest pot holes, cracks in the ground, going in and out of the driveway. I have had multiple michanic including Pepboys, Goodyear, Sts and even the Acura dealership couldn't find the source. I decided to pull into a bootleg mom and pop michanic shop were a little old man in his 100's found the source in less then 5 minutes. He was able to reproduce the sound. I just order my rear mount and plan to do it myself as soon as it gets here. :thumbsup:I will update after i do the install so people dont go thru what i have gone thru.

I have the same problem

SHOCK ABSORBERS! Mine did it too, took it to shop and that was it.

In for update. I think my motor mounts are shot too. Does anyone have pictures of where they're located? I can look up the TSBs but a drawing isn't the same when looking for it in person.

I've noticed my steering wheel vibrates a bit too under certain speeds or acceleration. That's why I'm thinking it could the motor mount(s).

The passenger/side mount is a canister you can easily see on the left side of the engine (front of car facing you), right below the power steering pump. If your car clunks over bumps the side mount can be easily inspected. If there are any tears in the dust cover, it's busted.

Here's how the front mount looks like:
https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-problems-fixes-114/diy-front-motor-mount-854098/

rear mount looks similar to the front mount, but under the car at the back of the engine.

Sweet, thanks! Seems like just the rear would be hard. Side and front shouldn't be a problem if I use a lift and tranny jack.

Quick question for those of you that solved your clunk-noise with new motor mounts:

Before the new mounts, did you notice that your alignment was off? I've noticed I have to keep my wheel turned to the right about 7-10 degrees. It's not much, but enough to be annoying. I just had a wheel alignment done and although it was better it wasn't fully fixed. I know nothing has come loose in terms of adjustable ball joints or end links (the shop even showed me the computerized readings while on the machine). I'm wondering if the motor mounts could do this seeing as it's a FWD car (engine connected to transmission, transmission connected to axles, and so on).

I've had the clunk before and after new suspension and alignment, that's why I'm thinking it could be motor mount related.