2011 XC60 front end clunking noise

xyourobob · Post by **xyourobob** » 14 Jul 2025, 09:13

I replaced the passenger side control arm/ball joint, I know doing both sides is recommended but I didn't have the time to do both sides and after getting it aligned she rode just fine. Here we are about 9 months later and I am getting a clunking noise from that side of the car when going over heavy bumps. I replaced the upper motor mount and the lower gearcase/motor mount, but this has not rectified the issue. The new ball joint looks fine, the shock seems fine, I'm at a loss. The only clue I have is when raising the entire front end off the ground, I have left to right play on the driver's side tire, the play appears to be in the arm that goes to the steering, it makes a noise in the center of the front end. I'm wondering if I replace the control arm/ball joint on the driver side if that would take the play out of that steering arm?

Vova585 · Post by **Vova585** » 14 Jul 2025, 09:40

Check your stabilizer bar link. Just did mine and it was showing no damage upon visual inspection, but over bumps was creating significant noise. I was suspecting upper strut plate at first, but finally narrowed it to stabilizer bar link. Upon raising entire front end try turning the wheels from side to side with your hand on stabilizer bar. Referred vibration/click-replace with lemforders from fcp(was like $23 per each if I remember correctly).

xyourobob · Post by **xyourobob** » 14 Jul 2025, 10:02

Sounds like a good tip, I'll crawl under there and check it out, thank you.

Post by **chrism** » 17 Jul 2025, 13:03

If you suspect the stabilizer link is making noise just disconnect it and drive the car over some bumps to see if it got quiet.

Vova585 · Post by **Vova585** » 17 Jul 2025, 15:07

Maybe in Maryland and Georgia you can do that, but NY or anywhere in rust belt, you can almost guarantee that without spending half a day to remove rust you will just break the threaded rod(even with kroil penetraiting oil, wire brushes, impacts...ask me how i know). So for $23 I would highly recommend to buy new and this way have it 100%.

xyourobob · Post by **xyourobob** » 19 Jul 2025, 14:49

Thanks Vova585, it was the stabilizer link. The bolts were a pain to remove but not impossible, the clunking noise is no more.

Vova585 · Post by **Vova585** » 19 Jul 2025, 21:25

I am very happy to hear that you were able to fix this issue. When I recently had similar problem., I was shocked how much noise failing stabilizer link was creating especially given absolutely normal visual inspection.