Clunking on front left side 1987

[73gmcaz]

Hi all!

I also just discoverd a clunking on the front left side of my 1987 Thunderbird V6 coupe.

Only does it when you ride over a bump so I was thinking strut but everything seems tight. Checked and repacked the wheel bearing and that was good.

Did not check the strut with the body jacked up so it could hang free with the control arm/wheel etc.

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated...the car is new to me.

Thanks

Brian

[flewthecoupe]

First thought is an end link.

[73gmcaz]

Thanks!

Will change them and check it out.

Brian

[coondawg6]

agree with the link pin and also check upper strut mount/bearing plate should have no play at all

[SUERED]

....Another thought. While under there check the spring. We had a broken one on our '88. It was a hairline crack and not easily seen.

[Jim Adams]

I just went threw this with my 89 supercoupe,,It turned out to be the upper ball joints ,,you can check real fast by just putting your hand behind the tire and with open palm smack down on the upper a frame at the ball joint and if it is bad it will clunk.

[coondawg6]

i dont think 87 had upper ball joints the strut and bearing plates replaced ball joints

[Jim Adams]

I beleive you are correct in 1988 and 89 they went to new body style,,,On the style like yours check the upper strut bushing,,this is the bushing (bearing) that is at the top of the strut assy. and has 3 bolts in it that bolt to your tower

[dlaughman@hotmail.]

my 86 did that and a coil was rusted off down in the spring pocket so ya might wanna check their

[CSSC1990]

The front end of my 1990 clunked when I would turn. I took it to a great repair shop. They looked it over and at first could not find anything wrong (visual inspection). They took it for a drive, came back put it on a rack, tightened the rack and pinion with a 6' cheater bar. No more clunking. In addition they didn't charge me one cent Goes to show not all problems are skin deep.