Front end noise on 2000 GP

[bogyver]

This is my first post here and I have been looking for something that fits the symptoms that I have but nothing seems to be the correct fit. Sorry its so long of a post but I want to be as clear and concise
I have a 2000 grand prix gt with about 94000 miles
So here the symptoms
A noise that sounds like it is coming from the front passenger side and is something like a clunking thumping sound, also I am able to feel the noise in the car as well.
The Noise occurs when the wheel is at center or just barely turned to the right, like maybe 5 degrees of center, its hard to say which one it is. The noise ceases when you continue turn right, no noise when turning left.
Another way to describe it would be to say it only occurs when you bake a adjustment to your position in the lane your traveling in. If you go to switch lanes the noise starts then goes away once you get past the 5-10 degree mark.


I have changed the cv shaft and wheel hub/bearing on the passenger side. It made the noise before changing the cv shaft and wheel bearing. After changing the cv shaft and the wheel bearing the noise went away when I first drove it then came back that night and then the next day when I had my father in law ride with me to see what he thought, it didn't make the noise then. The next day it started again and has been going ever since. The noise does seem to be different now than it was before.
The noise will vary with how I drive it. Let say I take off from work and I run it hard going fast and such the noise will be really bad and the car feels kinda shaky. Then it will subside and be just the regular noise again.
The noise is mostly heard at highway speeds and I can here it about 30-40 but its quiet. It is affected by acceleration and by braking. There seems to be no real pattern to how braking or accelerating affects it. Most of the time braking makes it worse acceleration quiets it.
Additionally at low speeds the steering wheel feels a little shaky, mostly its not smooth its not jerking around. I think it mostly occurs when braking so I think it might be due to warped rotors.
I think the problem might be tie rod ends but I dont know for sure and wanted some input
Thanks


Ohh I forgot I wanted to ask about something related to the transmission, Let say I am driving down the highway and I am costing and I jump on the gas to accelerate quickly, I noticed that the engine will rev and then the car will make kinda clunk noise as the transmission drops down and then I get the snap back feeling of acceleration, this all occurs very quickly but its still noticeable. Additionally I get the same noise if Im accelerating and just let off the gas immediately.
I dont know if thats normal, I kinda hope it is.
Thanks again sorry its so long
Beau

[BNaylor]

Welcome to AF.

A worn out outer or inner tie rod end will give a similar sound (clunking, thumping) and feel worse when accelerating or braking. You will definitely feel it in the steering wheel. Just safely jack up one front wheel at a time and to start do the 9 and 3 o'clock test while watching for freeplay or excess wheel and steering movement beginning with the outer tie rod end. Make sure the steering wheel is locked first.

On the tranny when was the last service done like ATF and screen filter?

[bogyver]

I dont know if it ever has had any kinda service on the tranny, I was thinking that it would be a good idea to have done.
Any idea on how much it woudl cost to have it done?
also I have a friend who is a tech at a ford dealership how has helped me in the past, he has a lift, do you think its possible for me and him to do the work?
I would rather pay him to do the work and save my self some money.
Thanks for the reply

[richtazz]

From your symptoms (appears at certain speed, worse during decelleration, quiets during accelleration), I would agree with Bnaylor that it's most likely a bad tie rod end. As tie rod ends get worse, they will cause a shimmy at certain speeds like an out of balance tire as well as the clunking noise. If those check out, 2 other common issues with front end clunks on these cars is the lower control arm bushings, (especially the one that the bolt goes thru vertically toward the front of the car) and bad stabilizer bar end links or a broken/cracked stabilizer bar.

[bogyver]

Ok I got around to changing the tie rod end on the passenger side, The noise has changed. So I think its part of the problem, the quick run down is the noise now happens between 45 and 60 mph and it similar to what it was before, thumping knocking. There is no longer any excessive play when doing the 9 and 3 test. I found some other things that might be the issue, I have taken pictures to save time describing.

The first is the front control arm bushing


It looks like the rubber in bushing is torn and coming apart

The second is the control arm


Bottom part of control arm end is cracked and moves around some.

I guess the main question is are these a problem, I assume they are, and are they the cause of the noise? If they are a problem or "the problem" can fixing it be put on hold safely?
Thanks for all the help
Beau...

edit: added clarification on photos

[richtazz]

You need to replace both the bushing (as it is ripped and going to get worse) and the stabilizer bar (as it is broken). Both the source of the noise (for now) and the higher priority is the stabilizer bar if you're short on cash.

[richmn605]

checkyour stabilizer bar in the front.