2001 Dodge Stratus knocking/clunking noise in suspention

Tiny
KARAFFA1979
  • MEMBER
  • 2001 DODGE STRATUS
  • 138,000 MILES
My lower ball joint broke so I replaced the lower control arm (just ball joint replacement not available with this car) and also had to replace the axle shaft because the old one broke when the car was drug onto the tow truck. When I drive the car now that it has been repaired there seems to be a little resistance and then when you turn to the left or right, but especially the right a knocking or clunking noise is coming from the tire where the lower control arm and axle shaft was replaced. Is this a bad wheel bearing, possibly a defective axle shaft?
Wednesday, September 4th, 2013 AT 5:36 PM

6 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
Does the noise change with speed?
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Wednesday, September 4th, 2013 AT 6:37 PM
Tiny
KARAFFA1979
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
I haven't really drivin it that fast or that far because I am afraid of doing damage to the car or the wheel locking up. It seems as though it doesn't sound as bad at a little faster speed but I haven't had it above 35mph.
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Thursday, September 5th, 2013 AT 3:23 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
I understand your concern. Have you checked to see if there is any play in the wheel?
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Thursday, September 5th, 2013 AT 9:52 AM
Tiny
KARAFFA1979
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Not sure if there is any play In the wheel but I will check it out. I am going to pull the wheel of after I eat dinner and try to pinpoint the noise. I thought I should also mention that if the car is sitting still and I turn the wheel left and right the noise isn't there, the car has to be rolling while turning the wheels to make the noise which is why I am thinking a bad wheel bearing or defective axle shaft.
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Thursday, September 5th, 2013 AT 12:56 PM
Tiny
KARAFFA1979
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
I just checked and there really isn't any play in the tire but upon closer examination I found that the outer tie rod looks bad. The boot is torn and grease is leaking out from it. I am going to replace it. Do you think that a bad tie rod end would cause a noise like that?
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Thursday, September 5th, 2013 AT 2:26 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
I don't think the tie rod would cause a noise. Is there excessive play in it? If not, I would save the money until it is really bad. The boots on them rip quite often.

If the sound is a clicking sound, then I would suspect a CV joint.
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Thursday, September 5th, 2013 AT 5:09 PM

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