Hello!
Any help with this problem would be very much appreciated (I'm not mechanically inclined, but will happily give any additional info that might be needed!)...
My car is the following:
1992 Nissan Sunny 1.6 SLX 4-door(European version of the Sentra, N14 model)119 000km (74,375 miles)5 gear manual-bought a month ago, newly serviced-1 previous owner (documented)-missing service history book-car/engine in good condition (looks well cared for)-passed standard annual MOT test (axle nut cover had minor crack, to be replaced, but not yet severe)
Problem:
A loud (single) "clunking" sound from below the car when making a right turn.
This is fairly consistent, but more predictable when going over any kind of bump (i.e. sidewalk crossing), regardless of how slow the car's moving. No problem on slight turns, when following normal curves on the roads - but the tighter the turn, the more predictable the noise.
After some good highway driving, I got the impression that the problem eased up a little (less likely to clunk) when returning to the city... but it didn't take long for the regularity of the noises to return!
At first, I suspected the CV joint, but the noise is not typical of the sound that has been described to me for this problem (and a fairly informed friend didn't think it sounded like the usual bad CV noise when he tested it). That is, the noise is not a "repeated" clicking or banging sound...
This sound is more of a single one-off "clunk" or "thud" sound - almost like something is loose and "banging" into something as the weight shifts to the right. Seems to come from below the driver or passenger feet (fairly central in the motor area). Even if I crawl the car at almost no speed, I still get this clunking sound!
The suspension while driving does not feel the best, but the MOT check didn't find anything wrong and seems ok when pushing down and testing it on the outside.
I'd really appreciate any thoughts about possible culprits here, as a trip to the garage could spell a blind investgation leading to hundreds or thousands of dollars in unnecessary repairs!
Clunk Sound - Please Help!
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Mayhem_J30
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I would put my money on your tension control rods.
Most likely the bushings have ruptured and all the "jelly" inside has leaked out. This is very common. When the "jelly" oozes out of those bushings you'll get play in the front end, and as the t/c rods shift when you turn, you'll get that loud "clunk" you're referring to.
I'm not sure about the sunny/sentra, but there are a few manufacturers of aftermarket urethane bushings for the 240, if there are some for the sentra, then I'd recommend going that route because you won't have to worry about the same problem again. If not, replace with some OEM bushings and be done with it.
G'Luck
Most likely the bushings have ruptured and all the "jelly" inside has leaked out. This is very common. When the "jelly" oozes out of those bushings you'll get play in the front end, and as the t/c rods shift when you turn, you'll get that loud "clunk" you're referring to.
I'm not sure about the sunny/sentra, but there are a few manufacturers of aftermarket urethane bushings for the 240, if there are some for the sentra, then I'd recommend going that route because you won't have to worry about the same problem again. If not, replace with some OEM bushings and be done with it.
G'Luck
mine does that once in a while. and my bushings are completely fuxed. so its probably the bushings. Look under the front of the car and see if they are cracked and leaking.
Also makes driving a pain at high speed and bumpy roads, and causes mine to drift to the right. Its so fun not being able to let go of your steering wheel for more than 3 seconds or the car will fly off the side of the highway.
Also makes driving a pain at high speed and bumpy roads, and causes mine to drift to the right. Its so fun not being able to let go of your steering wheel for more than 3 seconds or the car will fly off the side of the highway.
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themadscientist
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The Sentra model dosn't use tension rod bushings like a 240 but most models have sway bars. The sway bar has a small joint at each end that mounts to the lower control arms on each side. This joint will get dry or even rusted or loose at the bar end and when going over a bump will make a clunk or popping noise.You can also get this type of noise from a bad lower ball joint but this is rare.
Excellent!
A couple of mechanically-minded friends took a look under the wheels and confirmed that the sway bars are in bad shape! They also noted that there was a "gap" between the sway bar and the "wishbone" on the lefthand side. So yes, this seems like the likely culprit!
Question is then what I would need to replace... as much of this structure as possible? I don't want to just patch-up in half measures to fix the immediate problem if this problem could arise again in the near future!
Thanks for all the help! And I look forward to suggestions on how extensively to repair! Also, am I looking at OEM parts, or off the shelf components?
A couple of mechanically-minded friends took a look under the wheels and confirmed that the sway bars are in bad shape! They also noted that there was a "gap" between the sway bar and the "wishbone" on the lefthand side. So yes, this seems like the likely culprit!
Question is then what I would need to replace... as much of this structure as possible? I don't want to just patch-up in half measures to fix the immediate problem if this problem could arise again in the near future!
Thanks for all the help! And I look forward to suggestions on how extensively to repair! Also, am I looking at OEM parts, or off the shelf components?
For the sake of posterity - I just wanted to thank everyone for their ideas, and to confirm the the culprit was indeed the left sway bar/tension rod (sorry didn't quite understand which!) that had come loose! As a result, the engine was shifting slightly on right-hand turns - and making the banging noise.
The mechanic said that this was a very common fault on the Sunny/Sentra, and replaced the part in question at a fairly minor cost (sorry, don't know exactly what, as he fixed a number of problems also relating to rust at the same time).
At any rate, thanks a lot for the help!
The mechanic said that this was a very common fault on the Sunny/Sentra, and replaced the part in question at a fairly minor cost (sorry, don't know exactly what, as he fixed a number of problems also relating to rust at the same time).
At any rate, thanks a lot for the help!