Hey folks got a new to me 07 cura tl type s 6mt and after replacing all shocks with Monroe quick struts, and lower control arm bushings and rear lower ctrl arm bushings it still clunky on random bumps similar to worn out shocks. I get a hollow popping noises over random bumps In the front end. Mechanic that did the struts and bushings says he can't see anything that would cause it underneath. Is their a chance the Monroe quick struts could be faulty? Both sides tho would be rare to fail at same time unless it was a bad batch. Rear popping went away with new rear struts as well but not the front. Just had the shocks done last week. Any advice is appreciated

 

sway bar links maybe..?

 

Check your front side engine mount. It's on the passenger side above and to the left of the serpentine belt (as you're looking into the engine compartment).

 

Perfect I'll have a look at the links and mounts and report back. Thanks!

 

so i emailed monroe directly about the possibility of bad shocks and this was their reply;It is possible to receive a defective strut/set of struts depending on how long they have been sitting on the shelf either at the DC or parts store. If they sit horizontally for an extended period of time the gas charge can mix with the oil and eventually escape through the seal.

I recommend priming the shocks/struts manually prior to installation to ensure the gas charge is separated from the oil.

Also Monroe offers multiple lines of struts and shock absorbers for certain vehicles so it really depends on the vehicle which line would perform the “best”, I can make a recommendation if you can provide the vehicle’s information.

I have supplied them with the info on the car in question and he is going to see which monroe strut is best suited for the TL.

Just interesting to hear that they can be defective. i will check the links and mounts first but if those check out i may look into getting these replaced under their 90 day satisfaction guarantee warranty, which i think does cover some labour and alignment cost.

 

got a chance to look at the suspect parts. On my own i was unable to visably see any issue with the motor mounts. After raising the front of the car i did notice a bit of slack in the sway bar bushings. i was able to move it a hair by hand and from the driver side slide it to the left a bit as well. this was made more obvious when taking a pry bar to the sway bar checking for movement. links seemed ok but i will keep them in mind as they are a cheap item to replace diy.

Can you replace the bushings in place without loosening the the front end and removing splash gaurds?

 

I believe you have to drop the subframe to replace the front sway bar bushings.
.

 

Wow sounds like a headache. I had all new konis installed on my car and I had a light popping noise driver rear. Shop checked it over and said nothing was loose and sent me on my way. I believe they installed something incorrectly but sometimes you just have to move on. I'm used to the noise now. Car does handle a lot better though with the konis on stock springs.

Since you got quick struts they came with brand new upper strut mounts right? I know when those go bad when you're turning they start to pop

 

In case you reconsider moving on, keep in mind Konis require spacers for the back shocks and many times do not include the spacers in the boxes. It might be worth taking a look at the rear shock.

https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-t.../#post16832100

https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-t.../#post16244019

 

Yep I found out the hard way. My rear knuckle is slightly bent now. Super pissed. Wish I would have known prior. Really upset with Koni for not including the spacers or directions. I bought them through tire rack since they were on discount. Tire rack didn't know about it either. But I don't think that's causing the noise. Wish the shop had installed them realize that they needed spacers.

 

So had the car back into the shop to do sway bar bushings and end links. Mechanic put it on a drive on hoist and jacked the rear sub frame up and confirmed sway bar bushings and end links are good. Upon further inspection did find lower ball joint on driverside was toast. So getting that replaced as I write this. He also tightend up the quick strut main bolt a bit as well. Some of the clunking is clearly coming from the front passenger so I will toss a front right upper motor mount in and hopefully that corrects all the clunking. Will report back when complete!

 

Well back to square one kinda. Replaced upper engine mount belt side and my wash board hollow clunking continues on the front passenger side. Even the wife said she could feel it through the floor boards on bad sections of road.

took both front wheels off and tried to move everything with a crow bar. Only movement i found was strut fork twisted pretty easy on both sides and I was able to shift the sway bar a half inch by prying on it. Ball joint is good, new Monroe quick strut, new compliance bushings, new upper engine mount by PS reservoir.

completely stumped. Sounds like junk intown on rough roads.

think I need another mechanic to check it over... 🤔

 

The best thing to do with these cars is to replace the whole strut assembly with the spring. At this age and mileage, the original springs have to have at least some wear on them. Rockauto has FCS assemblies for around $50 each. I've had them for quite a while now, and they're fine, Why pay more and put up with all these headaches?
.

 

Yea I figured that would be the way to go and the Monroe quick strut assemblies seemed like a reasonable option.

have the car booked in at a different shop with a good rep next Tuesday so hopefully a fresh set of eyes will catch whatever is clunking around up front.

Again i went over the front end with a crow bar and couldnt see anything obvious visually. thought about mounting a knock off go pro I have inside the fender to watch the suspension while driving. Still might lol.

Thanks for the advice so far guys! Its geatly appreciated

 

Please keep us apprised of your progress. I am also trying to hunt down a clunking noise, right front area...but gets better after a few minutes of driving.

 

Will do. Mine is so annoying I almost don't Wana drive it lol

 

Hey folks actually did the go pro in the front passenger wheel well. Focused on hub, sway bar links and strut in action. Only thing that seemed suspicious to me was at around the 3 min mark I did a 4500 rpm shift and the oil filter seemed to move quite a bit shifting, not sure if that's normal engine movement?

here's the video, just incase anyone can see anything I can't.


Thanks guys

 

Finally have a diagnosis! New shop found sway bar bushings are shot in the front and weak in the rear! Within 10 minutes of being on the hoist mechanic brought me out and showed me that when u grab the sway bar it has movement up and down, mostly passenger side! How the other shop didn't catch this is beyond me, especially when I bought the parts and asked them to do it and they tell me it's fine ffs. Owner of the new shop did say they have gotten bad Monroe quick struts outa the box but it doesn't happen very often. Appointment booked for this Friday to swap all 4 out front and rear bushings. Quoted 1.5 hrs to replace all 4, parts labour's taxes and today's inspection total of 266 cad.

thanks for all the help so far folks. Will do a quick update once they're installed! Cheers!!

 

man my internet diagnostics skills is top notch

 

Sucks the original shop didn't figure it out! I mean how hard is it to just shake down suspension components when the cars lifted up. anyone can do that!

 

Absolutely man! I listened to the advice of the guys on the form and focused on the sway bar bushings, even found a bit of play myself at home on a jack. Buy all the parts book the app only to be told they're fine lol. Mechanic seemed like a nice guy and meant well but def missed that one by a country mile lol

preciate everyone's input!