I have a 99 GS300 with 139k miles I just bought. I get this ANNOYING clunking noise when I go over any type of bump especially a bump that sticks up, not one that sinks in like a pothole. And this only happens when Im going slow. If im on the highway there are hardly any noises but still some. Its not a super loud noise but like a light clunking kind of noise that sounds like a lighter version of bowling pins being knocked down. I cant really explain it. My mechanic looked under the car nothing seemed loose except when we did the push down test on the struts, they were VERY easy to move up and down and when you let go it bounced up and down one more time before it stopped. He said the worn struts are whats causing this noise but I dont believe him because we could not replicate the noise by pushing down on them. I am leaning towards sway bar bushings or some type of bushing since thats what it sounds like. Anyone had this problem or know what it may be? Thanks everyone.

 

LOWER BALL JOINTS!!!! Search noise, clunking, ball joints ect. Better change them ASAP. And while you at it, replace your tie rod end

 

you SURE? because my mechanic checked the ball joints, i specifically asked him to. He wiggled the wheel and there was no play on both sides. Is there any other way to check them? and would this causes vibration/shaking steering wheel at 60-70 mph?

 

clunking can be caused by many things... either a ball joint being worn out or a simple bolt being loose...

in my case my endlink connecting to my swaybars were loose which caused a constant clunking/knocking sound whenever i turn.

 

My low speed clunk from going over bumps was caused by my front upper control arms. The clunk went away after I replaced them with the SPC control arms.

 

Is there any ways to check the control arms or ball joints? my mechanic tried to wiggle the wheel for play to check ball joints but they didnt move and were good.

 

try driving on a bumpy area and apply the brakes... if it goes away, then it's one of the bolt that holds the caliper together. Hopefully, that's it.

 

I tried and it doesnt go away when the brakes are applied.

 

Can the balljoints be bad if the wheels dont wiggle at all when moved side to side? thats usually the way every mechanic I know checks them.

 

I found out my ball-joints in the upper control arms were bad by grabbing and pulling the uprights that is connected to the upper control arms. When I did this I was able to reproduce the same "clunk clunk" sound similar to going over a bump at slow speed.

 

where are these uppers that I can grab? is it possible to show me a pic? because I was under the car when it was on a lift and tried to grab everything I saw nothing seemed to move and everything was solid, I dont know what to do anymore and that noise is so ****ing annoying. I figured it out that it only makes the noise over certain bumps and its mostly coming from the passenger side

 

+1

 

hey i have that exactly and it kinda chirps while driving.

 

Id have to say upper control arms need replaced...just had the same issue with clunking and clicking noises and it was upper ball joints.

 

I have clunking sound as well... I have replaced: lbj's, outer tie rods, and new front shocks.

I'm going to replace the caster arms this weekend ( mine looks pretty worn)
Hopfully this solves the clunking...if not then more $$$ on uca's...but I hope it doesn't lead to that.