H3 Can't figure out this clunk

[chaos254]

I have this clunk when making sharp right turns that i cant seem to figure out. It is definitely coming from the left side and sounds like it's coming from underneath my feet. It seems to be worse over bumps. I checked it over with one of our mechanics. Swaybar links are tight, upper control arms are good, no play in the tie rods. I have a little bit of play in the driver low ball joint but nothing that should be causing this type of loud clunking. Rear lower control arm bushings are dry rotted but also shouldn't be making this noise. CVs look fine, also no play. No play in the hubs, stock rack bushings but also no play. Shocks are original but no leaks. Both steering shafts are new(fixed a bad clunk i had before)Can't get the noise to happen on the lift but it happens every time I drive. Any ideas would be great since its driving me crazy!

 

[justin94tt]

Possibly could be the body mounts. I have also read that the intermediate shaft might cause a clunk sound. I have owned 2 H3's and both have had this issue so it is normal. Curious to see what others will say though.

 

[Steve #1]

There was a batch of H3s that the body mount bolts were a hair to long which results in the popping while turning. My dealer shaved off the end of the bolts to fix the issue. The other option is to add a washer to the bolt.

 

[4speedfunk]

Check the lower shock bolts.

 

[kevin4288]

Bump stops maybe

 

[SuperBuickGuy]

bad or overheated shock

 

[Pappibri]

Rear door. Mine was making clunking noises and was driving me crazy trying to find. Turned out it was just the rear hatch. Easy to check. Have someone sit in back and hold door slightly open and replicate what makes the noise and see if it quits.

 

[IISPEEDYII]

If your jack isn't tight in its mount on the rear door, that will make a clunking noise too, thats usually the culprit of my noise for the most part

 

[alrock]

Loose steering rack bolts on left side. Lower control arm movement - maybe "only dry rotted" but there could be significant movement there. Broken motor mount could be an issue. Broken diff mount on driver's (or passenger) side. Treehugger strapped to the frame and bottoming out over bumps.

 

[rascole]

No clunk when driving straight? Clunk only when turning right? Clunk is under your feet? What's different, the steering. Check the rack mounts. Never assume that everything is tight just because you can't move it by hand.

 

[cbetts]

My money is on the body mounts based on the turning part. You would be surprised how much the frame will flex on an H3.

 

[chaos254]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I will start checking things when I get a chance. Been busy remodeling our new house. I do have a body lift sitting here so I will probably install that which should be an easy way to know if it the body mounts or not.

 

[chaos254]

No clunk when driving straight? Clunk only when turning right? Clunk is under your feet? What's different, the steering. Check the rack mounts. Never assume that everything is tight just because you can't move it by hand.

No clunk when straight, only with sharp right turns(doesn't do it on every right turn) and the clunk sounds like under my feet. We used a prybar to check everything

 

[IISPEEDYII]

No clunk when straight, only with sharp right turns(doesn't do it on every right turn) and the clunk sounds like under my feet. We used a prybar to check everything

torsion bars?

 

[Bigunit]

Maybe one of your CV joints seized up. Happened to one of mine. Boot was in good shape and it still had plenty of grease inside but the joint had seized. Every time I turned the wheels while backing up, I would hear a clunk/pop sound. Issue went away after replacement of the halfshaft.

 

[Lunesta2]

One of my shocks lower bolts loosened and it did this. Also my brake caliper bolt came out and the caliper would move and clunk.

 

[cbetts]

Maybe one of your CV joints seized up. Happened to one of mine. Boot was in good shape and it still had plenty of grease inside but the joint had seized. Every time I turned the wheels while backing up, I would hear a clunk/pop sound. Issue went away after replacement of the halfshaft.

So, I have been having the same issue. Right side loud thump noise but only happens in reverse with the wheels at full lock. I am getting ready to replace both halfshafts soon anyways to get rid of the cheap chinese Sur-Tracks and replace them with Cardones.

 

[BellyUpFish]

Old thread I know, but did you isolate the issue?

What was it?

 

[Alpha1omega]

Sorry i know it's an old thread, but I had a similar issue, but on the right side, so I decided to replace all bushings, balljoints and links, I found the noise upon disassembly , the back bushing on the front lower control arm bushing was loose where it's pressed in the frame. The new bushing almost fell in there, so I reworked the metal . I am reassembling and with let y'all know how it holds up