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Clunking noise - Strut or end link?

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16K views 4 replies 4 participants last post by  iGod  
#1 ·
Tried to do a little research on this topic, but didn't get a lot. Here's what's up. 2 months ago I hit a big pot hole going to my local Scion club's meet. Pretty bad hole too, tire was fine and so was the wheel. Well soon after I developed this clunking noise from the right front where I hit. I go over a bump and it would make a massive clunk. Kept putting off tearing it apart. Now I have the strut and spring out. The strut isn't leaking oil, and appears alright. What I did see however is my sway bar end link leaking grease everywhere when I took it off (before removing the strut). My question is, would a screwed up bushing on the end link cause this clunking noise? When driving the car, everything is stable. So I'm boggled by this. Here are some pics.

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I would say this is somewhat urgent, but I've been driving like this for a while. Any ideas? Thank you.
 
#3 ·
Struts have 80k on em. I had my friend jack the car up and look at it. The bearing in the top mounting plate is shot, so I'll need a new plate. I suppose this is problem solved. My buddy can get me one for $70 from Toyota but it'll be a 2 day wait. I'm gunna try to get my other car running in time for the track event next Friday, so I can put this repair off for a bit.
 
#4 ·
Tried to do a little research on this topic, but didn't get a lot. Here's what's up. 2 months ago I hit a big pot hole going to my local Scion club's meet. Pretty bad hole too, tire was fine and so was the wheel. Well soon after I developed this clunking noise from the right front where I hit. I go over a bump and it would make a massive clunk. Kept putting off tearing it apart. Now I have the strut and spring out. The strut isn't leaking oil, and appears alright. What I did see however is my sway bar end link leaking grease everywhere when I took it off (before removing the strut). My question is, would a screwed up bushing
 
#5 ·
Yes, a damaged bushing can certainly produce the noise you are describing. While diagnosing sounds via the intertubes is a difficult order, it is certainly within the realm of possibility that you have found your culprit, but a "massive" clunk seems like it could still be something else. I suppose that depends on your definition of massive.

Check the rear as well, as sound is a funny thing that can appear to be coming from one place while the actual source is located elsewhere. AMHIK.