When driving on rough, uneven roads there is a clunking/thumping noise?

Tiny
YAZIDAN
  • MEMBER
  • 2007 TOYOTA COROLLA
  • 1.8L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 258,000 MILES
Hi,

When driving on rough, uneven roads I hear clunking / thumping noise. I tried to record it, but it did not work. I rose front end and both front tires were off ground at the same time. I checked inner outer tie rods no play. Lower ball joints no play (there are no upper ball joints). Sway bar bushing visually no cracks or collapsed. I shaked the sway bar up and down with both hands no play. However, when I shaked the sway bar ends at the sway bar links I felt/ heard some play/noise but not a lot just a little bit. Could a very little play make that noise when driving on rough roads? Also, could the struts make that noise? And how to check struts? And what else can make that noise? Btw I checked engine mounts too no cracks or tears.
Monday, June 9th, 2025 AT 9:16 AM

3 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 51,607 POSTS
Yes, it could be the swap bar links, even a little play can cause noises. The struts can also make this noise. I would check for leaks using a flashlight, which will help confirm the problem. The struts can also make the noise even if they are not leaking. When the struts do make noise, it is a large thumping sound when doing over bumps. This guide can help you see what I am talking about:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/popping-noise

Please go over this guide and get back to us.
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Monday, June 9th, 2025 AT 10:54 AM
Tiny
YAZIDAN
  • MEMBER
  • 117 POSTS
Ok I will replace them and see they are cheap anyway.
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Monday, June 9th, 2025 AT 12:27 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 51,607 POSTS
Yep, with that many miles it cant hurt.
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Monday, June 9th, 2025 AT 4:36 PM

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