2012 SH-AWD Front End Clunking over Rough Roads

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Old 09-17-2018, 03:15 PM
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2012 SH-AWD Front End Clunking over Rough Roads

So, I got a great deal on this rebuilt TL with 132k miles. Rims were bent, got those repaired. Rims had ruined the tires, got new tires. Then, there was clunking from the front end when going over bumps/rough roads, most noticeable when going slower. When I got the tires I had them check the suspension out, they said suspension looked okay other than the passenger side sway bar end link was broken. So, bought a MOOG end link and the guy I bought the car from put it on for free. Unfortunately, still the same knocking sound coming from seemingly across the whole front end of the car.

I have essentially no experience doing any work on cars but want to do what I can on my own. My guess is the knocking may be due to worn sway bar bushings. Tonight I plan on borrowing my neighbor's jack to take a look at the suspension/sway bar bushings to see if I notice anything loose, worn, broken etc. Is the sway bar bushing something I can easily replace on my own? Just from laying down and looking up under the car it seems like the sway bar goes up above some other parts of the car's frame where the bushings may not be accessible, but I can't say forsure since I haven't gotten a good look at underneath the car.

So, can I do the bushings myself? Any tips, videos, tutorials you guys would have for me? Or anything else to look for that could still be causing the knocking sound?

Thanks guys!
Old 09-17-2018, 04:25 PM
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Maybe upper control arm bushings?
Old 09-17-2018, 04:54 PM
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Here are some pictures
Old 09-17-2018, 05:04 PM
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Well the oictures didn't work, but is there an easy way to check if those are going bad?
Old 09-27-2018, 10:17 PM
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Had the same concerns and noises.
I am waiting on a lower control arm for the passenger front to come in from Acura. The busings are torn, and they are not serviceable. Check those out again just Incase a bushing is the culprit. My mileage is 96k. All other bushings are in good shape. Apparently, these things can happen.

Old 09-27-2018, 10:19 PM
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On my RDX it was the struts, mabe shocks, I know these little clunks are annoying as hell...
Old 10-01-2018, 02:06 PM
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I had a clunking noise on my 2012 FWD, which ended up being the drivers side upper control arm bushing. I was at about 160K miles at the time so I just bought a crap load of suspension parts since I figured they could use replacing anyways. Front upper control arms, sway bar end links (back and front), tie rods and sway bar bushings (front). The front sway bar bushings are the only ones I haven't replaced because I can't figure out how to get to them. I mean, they're right there by the subframe but there's no clearance to get to the bolts to take them off.

I'm going to check the service manual when I get some time but the existing ones were pretty solid so it's not really a priority.
Old 10-01-2018, 02:09 PM
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Could also be motor mounts
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