A Driver's side Thunking Mystery

WheelRider34 · Oct 1, 2024

So, my family has had this 2003 Liberty for awhile. Recently, it has been having some issues, specifically a thunking noise I have been hearing whenever the car gets to about 60mph. It is a noise I hear coming from the driver's side. At lower speeds, it all seems fine.
I have had the drive shaft replaced, and the ball joints, and the mechanic I take it to says theres nothing wrong with the suspension and they had checked a few times now. Had gotten new tires a while back too. Not keen on getting a new car as who knows what issues a used car would have and a New-New car would be highly expensive and any parts I'd need to replace would be even more expensive to find.

ikuo78 · Oct 2, 2024

Something seems to be loosely mounted.
Does it depend on throttle?
Does it depend on the bumps in the road?
The key to solving this problem is the conditions under which the sound occurs.

The Fixer · Oct 4, 2024

WheelRider34 said:
So, my family has had this 2003 Liberty for awhile. Recently, it has been having some issues, specifically a thunking noise I have been hearing whenever the car gets to about 60mph. It is a noise I hear coming from the driver's side. At lower speeds, it all seems fine.
I have had the drive shaft replaced, and the ball joints, and the mechanic I take it to says theres nothing wrong with the suspension and they had checked a few times now. Had gotten new tires a while back too. Not keen on getting a new car as who knows what issues a used car would have and a New-New car would be highly expensive and any parts I'd need to replace would be even more expensive to find.

Is it thunking over bumps, or just at a steady cruise? Is the noise something you feel in the steering wheel too, or just hear it?

Possibilities include the clevis bushings (they knock on my daughter's KJ), or steering rack bushings (can feel those in the steering wheel as a clunk).

WheelRider34 · Oct 4, 2024

The Fixer said:
Is it thunking over bumps, or just at a steady cruise? Is the noise something you feel in the steering wheel too, or just hear it?

Possibilities include the clevis bushings (they knock on my daughter's KJ), or steering rack bushings (can feel those in the steering wheel as a clunk).

It's the speed that does it, the highway I drive on is mostly flat to my knowledge. And perhaps it is related, but the car seems to jostle about even at lower speeds.

WheelRider34 · Oct 4, 2024

ikuo78 said:
Something seems to be loosely mounted.
Does it depend on throttle?
Does it depend on the bumps in the road?
The key to solving this problem is the conditions under which the sound occurs.

Not throttle, just mph, the highway road is smooth.

jeepop · Oct 5, 2024

Switch your front tires and see if the noise moves.

While it is jacked up see if you feel any movement in the front tire that would indicate the bearing is starting to go.

Feel for more heat on the right vs left side to see if the bearing is generating more heat.

If you have over 100K and you have not had to replace the front bearings, that is what I suspect.

jimbobwa · Oct 7, 2024

Front isolator on the drivers side of the rear ends lower control arm. Had an 02 and an 03 do it. One on the passenger side, the other was the drivers side. Sounds like what yours is doing.

trailpack · Oct 9, 2024

Good call on not rushing to buy a new car. These things can usually be fixed.

WheelRider34 · Oct 9, 2024

The trouble I'm having is just, like I've said, I've tried a lot and spent a lot already. And it seems like either I'm not actually hitting the problem or something else pops up. Plus, all the answers given here say different thing. This game of whack a mole has been stressing me out

HoosierJeeper · Oct 9, 2024

Can you replicate it bouncing it on the ground? Any of the shocks leaking?

KJowner · Oct 9, 2024

Jack it up and put it on a stand, spin the wheel and listen, also look at the tyre to see if it has any runout (i know you said they are new but the alloy may be damaged), then grab it at 12 and 6 o'clock and try to rock it back and forth, repeat with your hands at 3 and 9 o'clock, you should be able to feel if anythings loose.

WheelRider34 · Oct 21, 2024

I want to thank everyone who gave me advice on this, your feedback has been welcome and appreciated. However, my situation has changed. I will no longer be needing this.
Again, thank you all.

Shankster · Oct 25, 2024

jimbobwa said:
Front isolator on the drivers side of the rear ends lower control arm. Had an 02 and an 03 do it. One on the passenger side, the other was the drivers side. Sounds like what yours is doing.

Don't mean to hijack the thread but sounds like the OP is off to greener pastures anyway. I just stumbled on this - I've been chasing a mystery clunk / rattle on the passenger side of my 02 - whenever I hit a bump. When you say isolator are you talking about the bushing between the frame and the front of the rear lower control arm?

Is this it?

More Information for MOOG K200429

How did you zero in on that jimbobwa? Mine looks a little ragged but seems fairly solid, at least with the vehicle sitting on the ground. What would be the best way to verify mine is bad?

KJowner · Oct 26, 2024

Shankster said:
Don't mean to hijack the thread but sounds like the OP is off to greener pastures anyway. I just stumbled on this - I've been chasing a mystery clunk / rattle on the passenger side of my 02 - whenever I hit a bump. When you say isolator are you talking about the bushing between the frame and the front of the rear lower control arm?

Is this it?

More Information for MOOG K200429

How did you zero in on that jimbobwa? Mine looks a little ragged but seems fairly solid, at least with the vehicle sitting on the ground. What would be the best way to verify mine is bad?

Did you try the test I posted above?

Shankster · Oct 26, 2024

KJowner said:
Did you try the test I posted above?

Yep, I did that.

DadOSix · Oct 26, 2024

Are you sure it is coming from the front end?

A Driver's side Thunking Mystery

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