clanking noise

[ryan s]

i've had this noise for about 2 years now...early 90s buicks make this sound a lot, if that helps. its not a "clunk" or a "squeek" but a "clank"..very metal-on-metal...almost a "heavy" sound.

its in the front somewhere, and only makes sounds over bumps/potholes. normal driving its quiet. i can't tell if its left, right, center.

checked:
-cat heat shields (replaced hose clamp holding upper one due to rust...no change)
-sway bar endlinks and bushings. the bushings look like they have good wear left and the endlinks are tight. this was my first thought when the sound started.
-lower ball joints are fairly recent...uppers look fine
-exhaust is tight
-suspected a broken spring but the car rides/sits fine. neither look broken.

haven't checked but probably will:
-brake shields (but wouldn't they rattle more with side-to-side motions?)
-rear engine mount



what else could make noise under there? everything else looks fine i'm perplexed since i thought it was the sway bar moving but the bushings look ok. they're only $11 so should i just go through with it and replace those? my rears were toast and it was obvious.

 

[ryan s]

further research shows:

-possible torn boot on lower drivers side ball joint..its lost a decent amount of grease but its not making noise nor did it spit a ton of grease onto the rim. moog, replaced on 12-20-06 at 135,647 miles (at 152,370 now). as an aside, the lower passenger moog one only lasted 5 months/3k miles and was warrantied for another. maybe i should go OEM this time?
-no obvious signs of wear/rubbing/squishyness anywhere in the front end
-rack is tight
-rear mount looks ok but i dont have a lift.

now...that confuses me. since i've had 3 bad ball joints since i bought the car, the sound its making now is completely unlike the ball joints.

 

[hancockd]

sounds like its time to run into a tree :roy:

 

[ryan s]

i should put it on the street and hope some drunk takes it out on his way home from the bar. i get a new ride, he goes to jail and preferably the hospital...2 birds with one stone

 

[hancockd]

i guess that would work too....

 

[ryan s]

then its not on my license/insurance

 

[LX_F23A1]

it can be bushings, also did you change your shocks?

I needz new supensionz setupz.

 

[ryan s]

my suspension is lord know how old

i pried on every little bar/hanger/bushing i could find under the engine area...

 

[LX_F23A1]

Are you still rolling on the OEM shocks from Honda from like 98?

 

[Sketch o5]

what?

if you turn the radio up, the clank will go away.