Clunking Noise Over Bumps

Front-end clunking is almost always suspension wear.

Severity: Medium

What to Do Right Now

Get a front-end inspection. Sway bar links are usually the first thing to fail and the cheapest fix.

Common Causes

  1. Worn sway bar end links: Most common cause. Cheap parts, easy DIY job. Shop sway bar end links
  2. Worn strut mounts or struts: Clunk over every bump, sometimes with bouncing afterward. Shop struts
  3. Worn ball joints: Safety-critical — get inspected promptly. Shop ball joints
  4. Worn control arm bushings: Audible thunk over driveways, with vague steering. Shop control arm