1994 960 Sedan Clunk/crunch sound over bumps

[moodyblue426]

Hi everyone:

This problem doesn't seem to be unique as I have read other similar problems on other forums but seems to get the best advice here.

When I drive over a bump in the road, there is a clunking sound that appears to come from the rear driver's side. It has been doing it for years and my mechanic told me it was a bushing on top of the strut but said it isn't a serious problem and it is tedious to get at. It has been very cold this winter and I have noticed now that if I am driving into a parking lot from the street (up a slight incline over a flat curve that has a bit of a bump), a crunching sound comes from what appears to be the front driver's side wheel. I assume it was the front as the noise came as the front end cleared the bump/incline.

I am not sure if this is related or a whole separate issue or if the car is just cold. I have read the front sound could be a control arm or sway bar which are prone to failure (the car is 20 years old).

Any experience with these sounds and the likely culprit and ideas of costs involved with these? I love this car and would like to keep it for many years to come.

Thanks everyone!

[lindy8_man]

Turn your wheel all the way to the right, and heck out your control arms. Specifically look at the rubber connections between each joint. is it gone, smooshed, ripped etc.? Also look at the angle the wheel is sitting at with it turned out. You can also look at the front strut bushings under the hood.

You most likely have a complete suspension job that is needed.