Clunking Noise

[adsa]

Hi !

I have an 02 Avensis estate whith 240,000 miles on the clock. recently changed the front shock absorbers as there was a thudding/clunking noise

every time you go over a bump/pothole. On removing the shockers, there was abolutely no resistance in the shocks - therefore they needed changing anyway. After changing them,ride and handling has improved but the noise is still there. All a/r/b links, wishbone bushes, ball joints seem fine. My mechanic friend seems to think it is the spring which is too weak (original) ? A scrap yard friend seems to think we haven't seated the new shocker on the top mounting bracket properly. The car has done this amount of mileage only because it is well looked after.......and yes it is a TAXI ! I would like to continue with the car for a few hundred thousand miles more........your input would be appreciated.

[cmia]

could be not seated right

if u drive over a bump and press brakes alittle

does the noise still happen

[adsa]

Yeah still happens if you brake whilst going over a bump. The shockers were replaced recently. When wheels were back on the road, there were creaking noises and groaning noises coming from the suspension whilst turning the wheels. Taken apart and the shocker reseated again - the noise has gone apart from the clunking when going over bumps. I still think it is not seated properly and don't want to spend money on new springs unless i have to.

[cmia]

is it more of a rattling noise?

[Druid Boy]

I'm claiming no expertise here but I seem to remember a similar problem with an old car of mine. Mechanic told me it was likely to be the top mounts. These are the ones the damper rod goes through under the bonnet and they have bearings in to allow the strut to rotate. With mileage like yours they could well have worn enough to cause the problem. My car was so old that I just turned the radio up loud.

[adsa]

I'm claiming no expertise here but I seem to remember a similar problem with an old car of mine. Mechanic told me it was likely to be the top mounts. These are the ones the damper rod goes through under the bonnet and they have bearings in to allow the strut to rotate. With mileage like yours they could well have worn enough to cause the problem. My car was so old that I just turned the radio up loud.

Evidence seems to point to your theory,,,,, especially when noise was there before the shocks were changed......and still present after the change. The radio theory is good.....but only works up to a certain point.