Clunking from front end on bumps

[cgarstin]

Interesting problem, been gradually getting more noticeable. When I drive over a bump (speed bumps for example, or sometimes cracks/swells in the road) and only hit the bump with one side of the car, I get a clunking noise, definately the sound of something loose and moving around.

Oddly enough, the bump ONLY occurs if ONLY one side of the car hits the bump. So if I hit a speed bump dead on, there is no noise, if I hit th speed bump one wheel at a time, then I get the clunking. It is more prominent in the passenger side, however it does occur on the drivers side as well.

I am assuming it's something sway-bar or steering related, but wondering perhaps where I should begin tighening and investigating. I've already had the sway bar links replaced, but not the mounts or the bar itself. I've checked everything visually and there is nothing that stands out, but I'm no mechanice myself.

If anyone has some suggestions of what to look at, that wouldbe really appreciated. I want my Legacy to SHUT UP!

Thanks guys,
Chris

[petridish38]

ball joints?

[evolutionmovement]

Check the anti-roll bar bushings. Sounds like they're worn out.

Steve

[ciper]

Noise only when one side of the car hits a bump screams SWAY BAR.

[cgarstin]

I figured as much, that'll be the first thing I check out. Problem is, winter here (Ontario) is currently hitting us with -20 temperatures, my finger would last about five minutes working on the car. I have no agarage, and my parents garage is far from heated. DRAT!

Question, to test if it's the sway bar for sure, could I simply remove the front sway br and take it for a spin around the block, or is the sway bar too integral to the operation/safety of the car?

Thanks again, everyone here is so damn helpful!

[evolutionmovement]

You should be able to tell by looking at the bushings. They will likely be obviously worn.

Steve

[Legacy777]

my whiteline made a noise, and it was a little difficult to diagnose at first, however tightening things up fixed it.....after talking with whiteline, I had found out the directions they gave where to place the washer was incorrect....go figure