Forester clunk

[Palouse Rider]

OK, I get a clunking from the left front side when turning at SLOW speeds or stationary. It's not CV's, my mechaninc said it was not struts, but the dealer said it was and wanted to replace both sides with mounts for like 600 bucks.

Any thoughts?

 

Cheers!

[brus brother]

You don't say what year it is but I have a 2000 Legacy GT and from day one there was a clunking especially noticeable at slow speed when turning over a slight bump like going into a driveway etc.. After many calls and complaints to SOA, who continued to describe the situation as "normal" (it had first appeared in MY1997 by some mechanic"s recollection), they came up with a fix under warranty that included changing out the power steering lines. I don't think it helped much but more a case that I had grown accustomed to the sound by then.

Did you only suddenly become aware of the noise? If not, speak with the dealer or regional rep. from SOA until you are dead certain that you need your wallet lightened.

I recall a post on the site about this issue where some had proposed replacing the bushing for the strut as a fix for the "clunking". Is your sound only on one side? If so why did the dealer recommend both struts?

Use the Search function here and search under "clunking or clunk" especially on this New Generation forum.

[Palouse Rider]

Yea, it's a 1998. The noise appeared about 20k after I got the car. The car now has 106k. It is only on the left. I think the strut bushing theory is the best one. The dealer wanted to do both, because they like to run up the bill I think. I'd like to try and fix this myself, but struts scar me.

-Cheers!