Since being lowered, I've been hearing a clunking sound from the suspension when I slowly go over bumps...Its probably there when I hit bumps fast, but I guess I just cant hear it...

Its primarily from the rear, but does occur in the front but not as often...
Its just a clunking sound, when I hit like the gutter of my driveway for example.

Any ideas as to what it could be?

Im thinking maybe endlinks or something, but to be honest I am not too educated on suspension...If it helps, its stock struts on Eibach springs.

Thanks in advanced,
~Andy~

 

One thing I've learned about suspension noise is that front and rear is sometimes hard to determine from the driver's seat. Maybe it's just me though...

Have a friend stand near each wheel as you go up the driveway and find out where it's coming from. First thing that comes to my mind is strut mounts. Did you replace them when you swapped springs?

Bushings and endlinks are next.

 

end links are a likely suspect on lowered springs,,ck front and rear everything!
get MOOG brand end links if needed- any parts store

or a blown shock from being on lowered springs--happens a lot

why are you hitting bumps at high speed with a lowered car??

(for the old schoolers, a bit of music)
The Low- Ride- Er rides a little slower , the Low Ride Er rides a little higher

 

Ill check everything..How do you tell a bad end link?

And I am not hitting speed bumps or anything, just your everyday bumps in the road.

 

Check for play at the joints.

Replaced strut mounts?

 

take it to an alignment shop- let them put it in the air and find the problem for you

 

Lowered = trouble is what I gather from reading threads on here. Is it worth it?

 

I will lift it up next time I'm at the shop and see if we can figure out whats going on...
And is it worth it, most definitely!

And Handy, what do you mean strut mounts?

 

the rubber bushings inside the hat for the strut mount, are they in right?

 

I believe so, I will ck everything out next time I am at the shop.

 

Number 4. They wear out over time and abuse (it's usually recommended to be replaced when changing spring/strut) causes noises.

 

Is it easy to tell if they are worn?
And use oem, or another brand, like moog or something?

 

And make sure the nut(#15) is torqued down.

 

Is it possible to replace #4 without dismantling the suspension? I think I have the same problem in my 2000 TL at 146,000 miles. Though I should probably replace the struts and springs anyway...

 

you must use a spring compressor to take the tension off the top nut that holds it all together- then remove the top hat,, then spacers and #4 bushing below

while it can be done in the car,,with tight spaces and need to get a spring compressor in there,, and if anything slips= you bought a fender...

the few bolts to get the whole strut out and do it on the workbench is `safety sense` issue in my opine
If you dont own a GOOD sring compressor and air compressor for top nut, take the whole strut to a shop and let them risk life and limb for a few dollars

 

lowered springs plus stock struts = early failure of shocks
they were not meant to operate lower than stock range and blow seals
Look for slight oil traces, dust stuck to shock body as a clue

do the shock corner bounce test- bounce the car several times by hand on a corner, and let go- it should stop in 1 bounce

 

Thanks for the recommendation 01 - considering I'm up to 146,500 on the original suspension I'll probably just go ahead and have a shop replace everything top to bottom, springs, bushings, and all on all four corners, or do a little research and see how confident I feel about doing it myself. What do you reckon would be a reasonable price for a suspension overhaul?

 

Are you lowering your car? Because stock replacement of springs isn't necessary unless they are broken. I'd say do a little more research and see if you can DIY, it's pretty easy, just take your time and follow the DIYs.

If not, I'd say ~$50 or less per corner is pretty reasonable.

 

Thanks for the info - my eyes almost popped when I saw that the Honda Parts store wants $200 each for replacement springs. No lowering for me.

What got me wondering about the springs is that during our drive to Michigan, the luggage for a 10-day trip in the trunk, plus my wife, kid, and dog, resulted in what I thought was a surprising slump in the rear suspension, which I didn't recall from previous trips over the past 11 years. Is there a self-leveling mechanism that might be malfunctioning, or does the 2000 TL not have that and I'm just blocking out bad memories from years past?