I’ve this squeaking and clunking issue for sometime now and have yet pin point the real problem, noise coming from front driver side suspension.

The problem is when I step on the brake a little firm at about 10-15 mph, I would hear the clunking noise when initial engage in braking and would also hear squeak going over speed bump. If I slam on the brake, no noise, driving- no noise.. Other than this noise, everything is fine.

My initial diagnose is the upper control – CHANGED, still the noise.

Bought lower ball joint (not yet replace), my old one still good. I even swap out the whole knuckle and still the noise.

I bought the strut bushing but haven’t install yet, since removed the strut assembly, everything looks fine, hence didn’t change it. But upon removed the strut fork, notice the lower front outer bushing is worn, and I just order it from eBay this week and hoping this will pin out my clunking noise. I am thinking this must be the problem, as everything else has been check/change.

Any thoughts of where these squeak/clunking noise would be coming from if not the lower control bushing??

 

My first step would have been to replace the LCA bushings that connect the LCA to the subframe as they're the ones really responsible for transmitting the tractive/braking forces to the body. Why did you replace the upper arm and knuckle? this has nothing to do with forward/backward force.

 

I change out the upper LCA because it has play in it.. I swap out the knuckle to see if it would solve the issue, but it didn't, so now replacing the outer LCA bushing see if the noise would goes away.

Haven't thought of the inner LCA bushing, if the outer doesn't solve it then i'll do the inner bushing.

I'll post some pix when I replace the outer bushing.

 

UPDATE...

I just change out my LCA outer bushing today and the clunking noise still there when test drive after new bushing.. WTF But I am determine to eventually solve this issue, just hope sooner than later.
Next replacement would be the strut bushing. I consider all these works as my weekly exercise.. LOL

If anyone don't want the hassle, buy the whole arm, it would be much faster and hassle free of sawing and pressing. I took some pix of the process, similar to other folks DIY..!!

Notice axle bolt is removed






Remove axle bolt, strut fork bolts, sway bar bushing bolt, caster bolts






Close-up, sign of worn and tear



Inner bushing, didn't replace it, don't think it that bad, plus didn't order the part.



Burn, Burn, Burn - this process took awhile..



Cut out the bushing ring



Cut a bit too much after chisel the ring



Dry fit by using a 30mm socket to press in the bushing later



Using the balljoin/bushing clamp then later use the 30mm to flush in the bushing



Final result..