I changed the struts on my car with my dad, but now there's a klunking sound when I'm driving?

Question

I can't think of what could have happened, we installed the struts step by step, and I was slightly concerned when my father told me it was the first time he did struts... Anyways, we installed them and the sounds are slightly annoying, but the struts seem to work perfectly otherwise. The tire wear has decreased majorly. My struts hadn't been changed in 225K. The reason we decided to change them was because I was driving on the interstate and my steering wheel started to shimmy and then my tire blew out. (It was an old Firestone tire) Dented my car pretty badly, damaged my bumper, and took off the sideview mirror. I've gotten a new sideview mirror since then. Anyhow, I was wondering why my struts make that klunking sound? (It's only when I'm driving through rough spots like bumps on the road, speed bumps)

They are new struts bought from Advance Auto Parts. They were the front struts that I changed, I hope to change the rear ones eventually, but I think I'm going for a professional this time. Sway bar links, if it's the 3 bolts at the top under the hood on each side then yes I did disconnect that to get the spring out. If you need more information just ask, I appreciate the help.

Just for further reference the car is a 1991 Toyota Camry DX 2.0L I4. Great car, 228,700 miles and still running.

Do you think there could be any safety hazards because of this? My dad says there are none, but I have trouble believing that.

James H : The assembly is different, so I can't say I can use that advice. But my father drives a caravan so I can give him a heads up on replacing his struts. Thanks.

As much as I would like to choose a best answer from one of you, the unfortunate thing with cars is that there can be so many different answers to a problem. I think all of your answers have good insight, so I appreciate that. I'll leave it up to a vote.

DJP : I don't think it's a bad cv joint because there were no problems at all before I had changed the struts, just really bad struts was my only problem. I had the CV joints replaced by a really good mechanic about a year ago.

Answer 1

the mounts on the top of the struts may be worn. did you put new struts or used ones? are they front struts or rear ones? did you have to disconnect your sway bar links to change the struts?/// if the car was not clunking before the tire blow out and the strut replecment there must be a worn part or a loose bolt not to undermind your dad,if he canged the front struts he's doing pretty good sometimes they can be a real pain in the a#$. i would get a complete front end inspection ball joints,tierod ends, control arm bushings,swaybar and links any of these things could give a clunk noise especilly on a old car with high miles. good luck!/// the three bolts on the top are the strut mounts.

Answer 2

Check to make sure the end of the spring is seated in the strut base. next support the car on a stand and take a large bar under the tire and pry upward ageist the tire if you have movement there the top of the strut insulator should be changed.It is a possibility that the lower control arm bushings could be slightly worn.It does not take much wear in any one front end part to make a clunking noise

Answer 3

If you didn't install new top strut bearings, that is probably the problem. They are the plates that bolt the top of the strut assembly to the inner fender side apron. And, you'll probably have to remove the whole assembly, take it all apart, install the new bearings, and put it all back together again!
Although, i am speaking from experience with my Dodge Caravan struts. Yours may be different.

Answer 4

Any motive force could be insured. If something happens and you get caught even via a habitual site visitors stop, you may get a fairly expensive fee ticket. If, knock on timber, there's a injury it is your fault, you, the motive force or your dad because of the fact the vehicle proprietor may well be sued for damages performed to sources or injuries to every person driving with you or in the different automobile. So, definite, in case you're no longer an insured motive force, he easily does have a valid factor. It sucks that he took you off, even with the incontrovertible fact that! If he have been letting youchronic, those incidents might have brought about him that it may no longer be the superb theory in case something else did ensue.

Answer 5

Your car front suspension is a "McPhearson" strut assembly, to remove the "strut"/damper or the entire assy are two different tasks. The coil spring comes off for both tasks, if entire assy. was replaced then the "top" nut of the strut may be loose. Its important to have spring alignment (bottom of spring to strut assy base,and top of spring to strut top mount.) If align. is good , then a "impact /1/2" gun" with impact socket with "strong air pressure torque "should snug that puppy!

Answer 6

I have seen before where even new struts would be defective, where it would make a clunking sound, could be swaybar links or strut assembled wrong or bad strut.

Answer 7

a klunking noise,this sound is what sometimes metal to metal grinding or 2 pieces of metal coming together hard sound like.i would recommend that you take it to a front end specialist,due the car being in an accident,then if you feel that you could do the work then do it.sounds to me like it could be something different other than what you have already repaired,maybe a cvb(continuos velocity bearing) or somrthing in the front tranmission if front wheel drive

Answer 8

Does your car make clunking noise when going around sharp corners or down hill while breaking? If it does you might want to look at the possibility of a bad cv joint.

Answer 9

its not in your struts its in something else