Suspension problem
2005 Chrysler Town and Country 6 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic 54000 miles
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I hear a "clunking" noise when I go over bumps while driving, which seem to be coming from the right front end. I have inspected the ball joint and sway bar bushings and both seem to be ok. I cannot visualize anything obvious. It was reported that there was an "oil" leak near the right front tire. I do not see that now. I am thinking it may be a problem with the strut.
Any thoughts?

Thanks, Bill

I too need help with this question. Front end noise when driving on uneven surfaces, Sounds are clanking, metal hitting metal, something loose needs tightening or about to fall off. It sounds as if it is on the drivers side. Can sometimes feel slight vibration on foot when the rattling noise happens. It used to be worse only in the cold winter months but not it does this all the time while driving on uneven surfaces. Took vehicle to mechanic and they didn't have a clue. Troubleshooted saying that is was possible the front struts at over $200 to replace. I said that wasn't it but my husband and mechnic said it might be. Both inspected everything in front end and did not find anything loose. I told them it sounded more on the drivers side. Decided to replace strut passenger side only, wouldn't listen to me. I said that it was not the strut because van drives smooth on even road surfaces suchas highway. Goes over railroad tracks with out problems. No bouncing, no feeling in steering wheel, no squeeking, etc. After "repair" I drove out of the garage less over $200 in my pocket and immediately the noise returned.
Please someone reply, as Im about to drive this van over a cliff. Could it possibly be rubber bushings, rods. If so how to know which?

I have a 2003 T&C and had the same problem. I found it to be the front sway bar bushings. When they wear out there is less space between the sway bar and the frame. They only cost about $20 and if you are fairly mechanical, you can replace them yourself. Just put the front end up on jack stands to take the stress off the sway bar. There are two bolts that hold the bushings in place. Remove them and replace the bushings. They can be a pain to remove but be patient and you will be surprised at how little it cost to get rid of that annoying "clunk".

I have a 2005 T & C with 125K miles. Runs really sweet with the exception of the dreaded clonking noise. It's had it for thre last 20k miles. Every oil change, I asked the mechanics to make sure everything is tight. Yesterday I paid $400 for two new struts (needed the struts but it didin't cure the noise). Tomorrow I will replace the sway bar bushings and let you know. You feel as though sometrhing is about to break or drop off. Very worrying. I have checked everything that looks as though it could flap or knock - keeping my fingers crossed that its the bushings. UPDATE: Mechanic refused to change bushings after another inspection. Is there enough play in a worn bushing to be felt by hand>

GeoffB
Do you know if the sway bar bushings have ever been replaced? If they are the originals, then given the mileage you stated at 125K, I'd say they are in need of replacement. I'm surprised your mechanic refused to replace them. Since when does a mechanic refuse work? Unless you're strong enough to make the sway bar hit the frame, there would be no way to test if the bushings are worn enough to make the clunking noise but for the price of the bushings being around $20, why not change them out? If you look closely at just how little space there is between the sway bar and frame; maybe an inch or so; it doesn't take a trained mechanic to see that's where the noise would be coming from.

Had a similar experience - here is what happened:

Driving would be fine until I moved forward from a stopped position. The front driver side would make an aweful creeking and clunking noise. I feared that it was transmission tralated based on when it would make the noise.

It turned out that the lower control arm of the driver side suspension was going bad. The bolt that passes through the control arm that holds it to the lower portion of the car supension was ground down. The bolt was literally being eaten inside the hole it passed through to hold the lower control arm to the car.

They replaced the lower control arm and the bolts and all was good.

Acording to the dealer, this is something that is common on cars above 120k miles. Mine is only 70k and it was 62k when the propblem ocured.

They isolated the issue by using "electronic ears" to help them find where the noise was really coming from. Without them it's almost impossible to find those type of noises since they only ocure under normal operation - not while suspended in the air on a rack.

Greg

my money is on the Sway bar links
My 2003 T&C have been replaced at 30,000 at 60,000 and at 95,000 all with the same clunking noise and it fixed it each time
Cheap and fairly easy repair