A Driver's side Thunking Mystery

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WheelRider34

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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

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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.
 
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The Fixer

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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.
Click to expand...
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).
 
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WheelRider34

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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).
Click to expand...
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.
 
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WheelRider34

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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.
Click to expand...
Not throttle, just mph, the highway road is smooth.
 
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jeepop

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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.
 
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jimbobwa

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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

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Good call on not rushing to buy a new car. These things can usually be fixed.
 
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WheelRider34

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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

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

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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.
 
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WheelRider34

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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

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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.
Click to expand...
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?

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

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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?

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?
Click to expand...
Did you try the test I posted above?
 
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