Klunk?

[Farkas]

OK. So when ever I take a sharp corner, regardless of speed, I hear this weird klunk from the front end. I have a single idea at what it might be, and that would be tire rods. Yes? No? Maybe so?

Also, what would cause the speed setting on the wipers to change. Like sometimes in the fastest wiper setting, they are imtermittant and vis versa. Turning them off and turning them back usualy does the trick.

And finally, my indicators are telling me that my rear window is open when it closed. I think the latch might be loose. Cheap part? Hopefully :]

Thanks for any input. [except calling me teh n00b. not allowed.]

[quantum110]

OK.  So when ever I take a sharp corner, regardless of speed, I hear this weird klunk from the front end.  I have a single idea at what it might be, and that would be tire rods.  Yes?  No?  Maybe so?

Tie-Rod

It could be the outter ends, but would have to be pretty bad to be making any audible noise...and if it was that bad you would have noticed the tire(s) getting all torn up. Or bad tracking or shaking.

You can check this by raising the front of the car, grabbing the tire at 3 and 9, and shaking (not hard enough to actually turn the wheels) while watching the tie-rod end. If there is movement (inner or outer) they're bad.

The inner ends or something in the rack is much more likely...although even more likely than that it could be a broken sway bar link.

Other Possibilities...

Bad Strut Mount

Bad Ball Joint

Control Arm Bushings

Sub-Frame Bushings

I'm a Certified Suspension Tech and honestly the best thing to do is take it in to someone so that they can visually inspect the car.

Edited October 4, 2006 by quantum110

[Intrepidation]

Our `86 Caravan makes a noise like that on sharp turnns..especially when turning left. If I remember right it was the ball joint.

[76ChevyTrucker]

Question number one: Is it a front-wheel drive car? If it is, it might be a CV axle, since the noise predominantly comes when you're in a corner.

[Olds Guy]

Yeah, how about a little info as to what kind of vehicle we are dealing with?

[Farkas]

sorry I didn't clarify

It's a 1997 Sable Wagon.

[76ChevyTrucker]

Sable wagon, could be CV axles, all the above mentioned front suspension parts (ball joints, tie rod ends, ect) or it could be the sway bar links.

[daves87rs]

I thinking CV too....

[Farkas]

Great

Is it cheap to fix? Livable and just annoying? Should I be worried?

[76ChevyTrucker]

Unfortantely, you should be worried because if the tie rod ends or any of the major suspension components decide they no longer like you, it could lead to a wreck, same goes for a CV axle, if it lets go, then you could easily have the wheel just up and fall off. The sway bar links, if it is that, aren't really a worry, just a nusiance.