Looks like I've got the dreaded clunk.

Discussion in 'SRT Product Line General Discussion' started by ChargerGirl, Aug 19, 2011.

  1. ChargerGirl

    ChargerGirl Mama / DB Geek / Driver

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    I think I got the clunk. I was headed to Berkeley for lunch with rsmeanie. On the way to the freeway on-ramp, it felt like I hit a couple of divider bump/markers, only I didn't hit anything. I thought maybe I had a piece or paper or something stuck to the tire. While on the freeway at speed, no noise. When I got off onto the surface streets in Oakland, the noise got progressively worse the more bumps I came across while going about 15-25 mph. By the time I got parked, I was almost sure my wheel was coming off. Again, smooth pavement, no noise, the least bump, it felt like I hit a small cow and my wheel was about to come off. Combination thud, metallic noise and springy sensation. On the way home, same thing. Smooth pavement and freeway, no issue, get off the freeway on my way to the dealer, I wasn't sure I'd make it based on the sound. So the dealer is keeping her overnight so they can check it out first thing in the morning.

    My Charger SRT is the 2006 year model, build date is 10/27/05. The only suspension mod I've made is the Hotchkiss swaybar upgrade back in 2007 which I've had no issues with. I've driven her to GA and back, and taken her out on the Big Track at Willow Springs on three separate occasions. In fact I took her in for a three-month service last weekend and they didn't find anything wrong. She has 57513 miles on her.

    Not sure how much this will cost, much less if I can afford it, but jeez.
     
  2. Quick

    Quick Mgmt. - I can't help you

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    It's not the typical "clunk". That's usually the tension struts. Most often it's the bush that deteriorates and sometimes the ball joint. Neither one of those is likely to go from rumble strip bump to "I think my wheel is falling off" in the course of one trip.

    Had mine replaced not too long ago. I started taking a side street route that was really really lumpy. I thought I had noticed it starting to clunk sometimes maybe a month before but wasn't sure. After a few weeks on the lumps I was pretty sure it was clunking. Another month or so and I was quite sure it was clunking.

    Sounds like yours is something else. Probably a good move having it looked at right away.
     
  3. ChargerGirl

    ChargerGirl Mama / DB Geek / Driver

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    Yeah, the more bumps, the more horrible the noise. And only when I'm going like 15-25 mph.
     
  4. Quick

    Quick Mgmt. - I can't help you

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    but those (typical cause of the clunk) parts usually don't go from ok to completely shot in that short of a time. Not impossible but I'd be surprised.
     
  5. ChargerGirl

    ChargerGirl Mama / DB Geek / Driver

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    Okay, so not the dreaded clunk something else entirely.
     
  6. ChargerGirl

    ChargerGirl Mama / DB Geek / Driver

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    Right now I'm just a mess.
     
  7. ChargerGirl

    ChargerGirl Mama / DB Geek / Driver

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    Okay, getting theories from others (twitter, fb and cencallx) that its a tierod or a shock issue. Its definitely suspension. Tire/wheel looks fine, brakes work great (trust me, driving home on Friday afternoon from Oakland).
     
  8. ChargerGirl

    ChargerGirl Mama / DB Geek / Driver

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    Hmm, someone with similar issue suggested tension struts.
     
  9. Quick

    Quick Mgmt. - I can't help you

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    People are going to suggest everything under the sun... The key in your case is the time from ok to really pronounced. Shock might fit that bill. tie rod probably not.
     
  10. ChargerGirl

    ChargerGirl Mama / DB Geek / Driver

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    Okay, well, I thought I might have heard something odd earlier this week while driving, but the progression from "odd" to "OMFG" was a matter of minutes of drive-time today.
     
  11. Quick

    Quick Mgmt. - I can't help you

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    Went from Ok to pronounced in one medium road trip.

    Shock - good possibility.
    Tension struts - not likely. ball joints wear out gradually and more rapidly at the end. You'd notice it for a lot longer and gradually. Bush, same thing.
    Wasn't something that just broke in two either.

    FB? Twitter? broadcast on all the other sites? That's like paging chicken little and his extended family. You're just looking for an excuse to take drugs aren't you.
     
  12. ChargerGirl

    ChargerGirl Mama / DB Geek / Driver

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    Yep. :bye:
     
  13. 1bad4dr

    1bad4dr Mr. Meany

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    :stupid:
     
  14. Quick

    Quick Mgmt. - I can't help you

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    Nothing to do until tomorrow anyway. You should sit back, relax, have a marguerita and have Maddie run around in circles with her hands up in the air screaming "AIYAH! AIYAH! AIYAH!"
     
  15. ChargerGirl

    ChargerGirl Mama / DB Geek / Driver

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    Yeah, pretty much. Even Marc's after-hours job fell through.
     
  16. ChargerGirl

    ChargerGirl Mama / DB Geek / Driver

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    Okay, looks like it was my swaybar bushings that need to be replaced. They have to order the parts so I won't get the car back any sooner than Tuesday. On top of that, the estimate is about $330.
     
  17. NetNathan

    NetNathan Not the Momma

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    That sounds like about 75% of cost is labor charge?

    ..
     
  18. ChargerGirl

    ChargerGirl Mama / DB Geek / Driver

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    Well, it is the bushings for the front Hotchkis swaybar, not OEM. But yeah, probably $200 for labor. Not really much I can do about it. Need the car for interviews next week.
     
  19. Quick

    Quick Mgmt. - I can't help you

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    You don't need a sway bar. Just drive easy. Order the bushings from Hotchkis. Replacing the bushings is 4 bolts. 8 if you count the 4 bolts holding on the heat shields. Ask if there is any bushing left in there at all. clunking around up there won't hurt anthing. If the bushing is completely missing you might mess up the U shaped pieces of metal that hold the bushings but I suspect the new bushing might come with those. $330? really? In the rear you have to drop the rear assembly a bit. In the front you bolt the ends to the links and 4 bolts for the bushings to hold it to the frame. If you really don't want to do it the corner gas station could do it. It would be really really hard to fail at that.

    PM me your email address and I'll send you the install instructions with the pics.
     
    Last edited: Aug 20, 2011
  20. ChargerGirl

    ChargerGirl Mama / DB Geek / Driver

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    Confession time. I suck at all things mechanical. I know guys who can do this for me, but they all have jobs and lives and I'd rather just deal with the expense now and be back on the road, than risk screwing this up myself, or asking someone to go out of their way to help me. Is my membership revoked yet?