Mach 1 Front End Clunk at Zero G's

[TrackMeisterWannabe]

Stock '22 M1 with 10K miles has a clunk when I go over a rise or hill where the front end unloads. It seems to be coming from the driver's side. Clunk occurs when the car is at zero G's as it goes over the apex of the hill. No follow up clunk when it loads again with the weight of the car is back to "normal."

Any ideas?

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[17MagMetal]

Step 1: Isolate noise to one side.

Step 2: inspect control arm/lateral link/sway bar end link/struts.

Step 3: use hammer, prybar and see what moves

Step 4: you are now ASE Master Certified suspension diagnoser.

I’ll bet 5 monopoly dollars your sway bar end link is causing the noise. That or something with the top of the strut. Do the above and report back.

Edit: If you’ve been especially rough with it during ownership I could see the chassis side bushings on the control arms getting angry too.

 

[TrackMeisterWannabe]

Your response is why I love this website.

I shall endeavor to do as you have instructed over the next few days.

Thank you very much for your input!

 

[17MagMetal]

Your response is why I love this website.

I shall endeavor to do as you have instructed over the next few days.

Thank you very much for your input!

No problem.

Also pay attention to the swaybar bushings themselves.

Let us know what unravels!

 

[ChitownStang]

Hope you find it OP
I have a clunk only when I go over sharp buckles in the road or maybe sewer cover thats sunk. Not at any other time. Been trying to find it for months.
Had the hole underbelly pan off. Sway bar seems tight but not sure since I was on ramps.

 

[Cobra Jet]

It could be the upper strut mounts.

This SSM was released for the GT350's regarding a front end clunk noise. Just because the SSM is for a GT350 doesn't mean the problem can't exist on other platforms:
https://www.mustang6g.com/forums/threads/ssm-50672-front-end-“clunk”-or-“pop”-noise.176357/

Also the front strut mounts have been known to fail prematurely, causing a clunk noise from the front end:
https://www.mustang6g.com/forums/th...your-upper-front-strut-mount-bearings.130986/

 

[TrackMeisterWannabe]

Thank you CJ. Your wisdom and experience are always appreciated by one of this site's most frequent lurkers.

Since it is under warranty I have scheduled an appointment with one of the experienced techs where I bought the car. Hopefully, he will be able to figure things out.

 

[ChitownStang]

It could be the upper strut mounts.

This SSM was released for the GT350's regarding a front end clunk noise. Just because the SSM is for a GT350 doesn't mean the problem can't exist on other platforms:
https://www.mustang6g.com/forums/threads/ssm-50672-front-end-“clunk”-or-“pop”-noise.176357/

Also the front strut mounts have been known to fail prematurely, causing a clunk noise from the front end:
https://www.mustang6g.com/forums/th...your-upper-front-strut-mount-bearings.130986/

Good info CJ
You think I may have same issue?
How difficult is it to swap a mount?

 

[17MagMetal]

Good info CJ
You think I may have same issue?
How difficult is it to swap a mount?

Depends on the facilities available. I’m a well equipped DIYer and can do that in 90min-2hr.

 

[ChitownStang]

Depends on the facilities available. I’m a well equipped DIYer and can do that in 90min-2hr.

Ok, I’m a diy’er too on jack stands in the garage.
But when it comes to springs I draw the line. Do I need to screw with the springs?

 

[17MagMetal]

Ok, I’m a diy’er too on jack stands in the garage.
But when it comes to springs I draw the line. Do I need to screw with the springs?

Yes, you’ll need to clamp it down and pull the top hat.

Sketchy as shit, I used a harbor freight “clam” style last time lolol. This is a heavy car with stiff springs.

 

[ChitownStang]

Yes, you’ll need to clamp it down and pull the top hat.

Sketchy as shit, I used a harbor freight “clam” style last time lolol. This is a heavy car with stiff springs.

You are a brave man! Not sure I have the balls.
Garage and car springs scare me… lol

 

[17MagMetal]

You are a brave man! Not sure I have the balls.
Garage and car springs scare me… lol

As a mid 20s male I like to imagine I’m invincible LOL.

Some shops will swap springs off a strut for like $15-$20 each. Definitely a good move if you have any doubts. I’m just criminally cheap and have some facilities as my disposal.

 

[Cobra Jet]

You can always call a local shop and ask them if you bring the the strut assembly can they swap the mounts for you and how much they would charge…. Shouldn’t be any more than a $100-$150 for the L and R side since you’re not bringing a car to them…. And if you’re doing lowering springs, now is the time to do that too…

There’s quite a few YT vids online too that show how to remove the strut assembly.

 

[wingnutt]

lol, if you haven’t tried this at least once before you acquiesce and buy a dam strut/spring compressor…we cannot be friends

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