clunk in reverse

[turbojoe25]

i have a 2002 q45 with 127k on it. there is a clunk noise that it does from both front wheels when in reverse and turning the wheel 100% in either direction. i replaced the front struts and springs but no luck. wheels arent rubbing on anything either. noise is really annoying too. also if taking a corner sharp it makes the noise too. could this be a ball joint or something? i have no idea. rides perfectly otherwise. just the noise.

[themadscientist]

No feedback through the steering wheel? It could be ball joints or tie rod ends but I would expect to be able to feel a slop in the wheel under aggressive steering inputs.

[maxnix]

We need a little maintenance history, please!

When was the last time you replaced your tension rod bearings? Other work on the front end?

[turbojoe25]

Never had any front end work done. I was reading it could be the strut mounts. Ive owned the car since new and this noise is the only issue it has. It gets serviced at the dealer and they have never said anything about it. When I mentioned it they said struts usually fix the problem. I pit struts on it myself and it didn't work. Strut mounts I read solve this issue.

[maxnix]

When you replace the front struts, you must at the minimum replace the front strut bearings. Usually many more worn items are also replaced.

Tension rod bearings are kaput if never replaced, and there may be more damage involved from not maintaining the front end.

[srwood11]

I've experienced two sources of front-end knocking noises in my 97Q. Strut Mounts and Tension Rod bushings. Tension Rod bushing when worn severely will knock during forward and backward movements when rocking the car with the brakes. Worn Strut Mounts will knock mainly from up/down movements. Both problems are also easy to observe visibly if you know where to look.