Occasional left-front knock sound

MikeHarrison · 02-06-2021, 12:10 PM

There's no play in my steering, no steady friction noise, just an occasional knock from the left-front, usually when going over a bump (such as a recessed manhole cover). I'm guessing ball joints?

If so, what would a replacement cost estimate (typical range) be? And, should all of them be replaced at the same time?

Bill Murray · 02-06-2021, 05:54 PM

Best to get it up on a lift where you and/or a tech can take a close look.

The 07 Ion I purchased last year had a random problem like this and it turned out to be the brake pads. Whenever the previous pads were installed, someone had applied CRC "brake quiet" liquid damping material that's supposed to go on the BACK face of the pads on the tabs where the pads slide in the caliper. This kept the pads from moving properly, getting hung up in the caliper and randomly making noise.

Deathjam4 · 02-09-2021, 10:40 AM

The clunk is control arm bushing. They get worn out then bohnce enough that the control ar hits the body where the bushin is located. Mine in my 2007 have copletly sepersted so it thunks all the time. I have my parts but my bolts are toast so i been waiting fo replacments.

nickson · 02-15-2021, 03:41 AM

Had the same experience and it was a ball joint problem.

ddemier7 · 02-27-2021, 10:07 AM

What was the noise?

02-06-2021, 12:10 PM	#1
MikeHarrison Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: NJ Posts: 71 2007 ION-2 Sedan	Occasional left-front knock sound There's no play in my steering, no steady friction noise, just an occasional knock from the left-front, usually when going over a bump (such as a recessed manhole cover). I'm guessing ball joints? If so, what would a replacement cost estimate (typical range) be? And, should all of them be replaced at the same time? ... ------------------------- 2007 Saturn Ion 2 Sedan 57K miles 2.2L engine 5-spd manual trans

02-06-2021, 05:54 PM	#2
Bill Murray Master Member Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Speedway, Indiana Posts: 2,132 Bill Murray's Photos 2007 ION-2 Quad Coupe 1997 SC1	Re: Occasional left-front knock sound Best to get it up on a lift where you and/or a tech can take a close look. The 07 Ion I purchased last year had a random problem like this and it turned out to be the brake pads. Whenever the previous pads were installed, someone had applied CRC "brake quiet" liquid damping material that's supposed to go on the BACK face of the pads on the tabs where the pads slide in the caliper. This kept the pads from moving properly, getting hung up in the caliper and randomly making noise.

02-09-2021, 10:40 AM	#3
Deathjam4 New Member Join Date: Nov 2020 Posts: 7	Re: Occasional left-front knock sound The clunk is control arm bushing. They get worn out then bohnce enough that the control ar hits the body where the bushin is located. Mine in my 2007 have copletly sepersted so it thunks all the time. I have my parts but my bolts are toast so i been waiting fo replacments.

02-15-2021, 03:41 AM	#4
nickson Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Posts: 40	Re: Occasional left-front knock sound Had the same experience and it was a ball joint problem.

02-27-2021, 10:07 AM	#5
ddemier7 Advanced Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Midwest Posts: 810 2004 ION-1 Sedan	Re: Occasional left-front knock sound What was the noise?

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