# I had the EXACT same noises. Both lower ball joints were shot. Replaced and problem totally solved. -->

Posted by davebob (91 GXE) on June 27, 2002 at 13:28:39:

In Reply to: mystery thunking noise >> posted by mentat on June 27, 2002 at 11:42:45:

With the wheel off, if you can push the whole caliper/suspension set up away from the car without too much effort, it may be the ball joints. And you don't necessarily need an alignment afterwards, either, so don't let someone sucker you. It might be a good idea, though, if it's been awhile. My new ones cost $160.32 installed with an alignment at a local garage.

With the tight new ball joints, the car handles better, too. Feels much smoother up front!

davebob

: this is probably something simple or common, but being the mechanical moron i am, i have no idea what is is. There is a thunking/thumping sort of sound coming from the front end... basically it seems to happen when i'm starting from a stop, or stopping from a slow, neutral coast. ie, at a red light, it turns green, i start to move, *thump*. or i'm coasting in neutral into my driveway, and apply the brakes, *thump*. someone shed some light into the dark, mysterious land of the front end... hubs? ball joints? tie rods? stop me before i continue to throw out random words and parts whose function is completely alien to me...

: thanks
: m@

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: With the wheel off, if you can push the whole caliper/suspension set up away from the car without too much effort, it may be the ball joints. And you don't necessarily need an alignment afterwards, either, so don't let someone sucker you. It might be a good idea, though, if it's been awhile. My new ones cost $160.32 installed with an alignment at a local garage. : With the tight new ball joints, the car handles better, too. Feels much smoother up front! : davebob : : this is probably something simple or common, but being the mechanical moron i am, i have no idea what is is. There is a thunking/thumping sort of sound coming from the front end... basically it seems to happen when i'm starting from a stop, or stopping from a slow, neutral coast. ie, at a red light, it turns green, i start to move, *thump*. or i'm coasting in neutral into my driveway, and apply the brakes, *thump*. someone shed some light into the dark, mysterious land of the front end... hubs? ball joints? tie rods? stop me before i continue to throw out random words and parts whose function is completely alien to me... : : thanks : : m@