Drivers side clunk when cold - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

VRZL113 · 10-22-2018, 11:53 AM

Hey guys, I'm wondering if anyone else gets a clunk from the front suspension when the temperature drops? I've checked the whole front suspension to see if there was a loose bolt or bad bushing, and don't see anything out of the ordinary. Struts are mint, and I just replaced the end links and torqued them to the proper specs. It seems the clunk only happens going over small dips, and irregular surfaces. Let me know. Thanks!

Vroom · 10-22-2018, 10:12 PM

The mag shocks make a clunking noise when they go bad. They don't really last that long. I've replaced all 4 and the back right just started making noise. It's fine on the freeway, but small bumps or speed bumps make a racket.

CAM....ZL1 · 10-23-2018, 10:31 AM

I have 32,000 miles on mine with no problems..

ZMEnow · 10-23-2018, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vroom

The mag shocks make a clunking noise when they go bad. They don't really last that long. I've replaced all 4 and the back right just started making noise. It's fine on the freeway, but small bumps or speed bumps make a racket.

Sure dont. Originals rears made 16000, second set only lasted 600 miles, 3rd set doesnt have the gas pressure that either of the other sets has, My guess is that strut is falling off the QC radar at Delco since its been in production so long.

VRZL113 · 10-23-2018, 11:22 AM

The thing is guys, this only happens when the temp is around 50 degrees or below. When it warmer out, I have no clunking sounds at all. Same happened last year when I purchased the car. My endlinks are new, and all other suspension bushings look to be in good shape. If it was the strut, I would think it would clunk no matter the temperature.

VRZL113 · 10-23-2018, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZMEnow

Sure dont. Originals rears made 16000, second set only lasted 600 miles, 3rd set doesnt have the gas pressure that either of the other sets has, My guess is that strut is falling off the QC radar at Delco since its been in production so long.

This is worrisome.... You spend the money and time replacing the strut, and they are crapping out in under 1k miles. Yikes!

Vroom · 10-23-2018, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VRZL113

The thing is guys, this only happens when the temp is around 50 degrees or below. When it warmer out, I have no clunking sounds at all. Same happened last year when I purchased the car. My endlinks are new, and all other suspension bushings look to be in good shape. If it was the strut, I would think it would clunk no matter the temperature.

Well, if you've exhausted the other options, whatever is left, no matter how improbable is probably the answer.

The shocks are a little unpredictable. They have a fluid in them that can leak out, or act differently in different temperatures. You'd think a light would come on to warn you considering how many other random things will turn the StabiliTrak limp mode on...but even when my front when full bang and knock, it never tripped anything. So I've seen them all act differently depending on the mood, so don't let the temperature thing get you. If everything else is fine, then its likely the strut.

HDRDTD · 10-23-2018, 06:02 PM

No problems here with 42K over 6 years on my 2013.

ZMEnow · 10-23-2018, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VRZL113

The thing is guys, this only happens when the temp is around 50 degrees or below. When it warmer out, I have no clunking sounds at all. Same happened last year when I purchased the car. My endlinks are new, and all other suspension bushings look to be in good shape. If it was the strut, I would think it would clunk no matter the temperature.

Search as there was quite abit in the forums about clunking from the strut area when backing up slowly and turning the wheel. I believe it was something with the upper strut rotation when turning the wheel. Was about 3 years ago..

VRZL113 · 10-24-2018, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vroom

Well, if you've exhausted the other options, whatever is left, no matter how improbable is probably the answer.

The shocks are a little unpredictable. They have a fluid in them that can leak out, or act differently in different temperatures. You'd think a light would come on to warn you considering how many other random things will turn the StabiliTrak limp mode on...but even when my front when full bang and knock, it never tripped anything. So I've seen them all act differently depending on the mood, so don't let the temperature thing get you. If everything else is fine, then its likely the strut.

Haha, you are prob right...

VRZL113 · 10-24-2018, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZMEnow

Search as there was quite abit in the forums about clunking from the strut area when backing up slowly and turning the wheel. I believe it was something with the upper strut rotation when turning the wheel. Was about 3 years ago..

Thanks for the info.

evonschu · 10-24-2018, 03:30 PM

I've had the same thing since I bought mine. Low temperatures only too can here the clunk almost more often if I'm turning in reverse. Feels like a minor snapping sensation. Brought it up long ago to dealer and they brushed it off as the original Goodyears "sticking" to the ground which is bs. I don't hear it once I get on the road though or if its warm. I usually don't drive it in the cold rainy season in Portland, so don't really experience that often any more.

VRZL113 · 10-25-2018, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by evonschu

I've had the same thing since I bought mine. Low temperatures only too can here the clunk almost more often if I'm turning in reverse. Feels like a minor snapping sensation. Brought it up long ago to dealer and they brushed it off as the original Goodyears "sticking" to the ground which is bs. I don't hear it once I get on the road though or if its warm. I usually don't drive it in the cold rainy season in Portland, so don't really experience that often any more.

Glad to hear someone else with a similar issue. I'm going to look into installing a new strut mount, and see if that cures the issue. I'll let everyone know how I make out.

VRZL113 · 11-05-2018, 11:29 AM

Well... it did turn out to be the strut. I noticed the clunk getting progressively worse. Re-examined everything, and found a bit of fluid seeping at the bottom of the strut. I ended up purchasing a used/mint condition strut assembly with only 1500 miles (looked brand new). Came fully assembled (spring, mount, etc.) which made the swap that much faster. Now the car rides/feels like a 60k car again. For $150 shipped to my door, I couldn't pass up the deal.

10-22-2018, 11:53 AM	#1
VRZL113 Drives: 2013 VR ZL1, M6 Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: PA Posts: 335	Drivers side clunk when cold Hey guys, I'm wondering if anyone else gets a clunk from the front suspension when the temperature drops? I've checked the whole front suspension to see if there was a loose bolt or bad bushing, and don't see anything out of the ordinary. Struts are mint, and I just replaced the end links and torqued them to the proper specs. It seems the clunk only happens going over small dips, and irregular surfaces. Let me know. Thanks! __________________ #3257 \| 485whp 526wtq \| K&N 63-3079 \| Gates K080660HD (Green Belt) \| ACDelco UPF48R \| ZL1 Addons Wicker Bill \| Mild2Wild

10-22-2018, 10:12 PM	#2
Vroom Drives: 2013 Camaro ZL1 Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 325	The mag shocks make a clunking noise when they go bad. They don't really last that long. I've replaced all 4 and the back right just started making noise. It's fine on the freeway, but small bumps or speed bumps make a racket. __________________ 2013 Victory Red ZL1 - 210K+ miles. Mods: Who needs mods...its a freaking ZL1 - Last car: 2006 GTO

10-23-2018, 11:22 AM	#5
VRZL113 Drives: 2013 VR ZL1, M6 Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: PA Posts: 335	The thing is guys, this only happens when the temp is around 50 degrees or below. When it warmer out, I have no clunking sounds at all. Same happened last year when I purchased the car. My endlinks are new, and all other suspension bushings look to be in good shape. If it was the strut, I would think it would clunk no matter the temperature. __________________ #3257 \| 485whp 526wtq \| K&N 63-3079 \| Gates K080660HD (Green Belt) \| ACDelco UPF48R \| ZL1 Addons Wicker Bill \| Mild2Wild

10-24-2018, 03:30 PM	#12
evonschu Drives: Camaro ZL1 Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Hillsboro, OR. Posts: 166 View My Garage	I've had the same thing since I bought mine. Low temperatures only too can here the clunk almost more often if I'm turning in reverse. Feels like a minor snapping sensation. Brought it up long ago to dealer and they brushed it off as the original Goodyears "sticking" to the ground which is bs. I don't hear it once I get on the road though or if its warm. I usually don't drive it in the cold rainy season in Portland, so don't really experience that often any more. __________________ 2013 Camaro ZL1 M6: Rotofab CAI, JDP ZL-R Rough Idle Cam, Upgraded Valve Springs and Pushrods, Ron Davis Heat Exchanger, Alky Methanol Injection, Rx Catch Can, 87mm VMAX Ported TB, Summit Performance Spark Plug Wires, 10" Lower Pulley, Kooks 1 7/8" Headers with Magnaflow Cats, ID850 Injectors, Johnson 2110R lifters, EBC Slotted Rotors+Hawk Pads, Rotofab SC Coolant Reservoir, 160* Thermostat, Custom Mild to Wild switch, Tune, 1st to 4th bypass. 685 RWHP / 640 RWTQ.

11-05-2018, 11:29 AM	#14
VRZL113 Drives: 2013 VR ZL1, M6 Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: PA Posts: 335	Well... it did turn out to be the strut. I noticed the clunk getting progressively worse. Re-examined everything, and found a bit of fluid seeping at the bottom of the strut. I ended up purchasing a used/mint condition strut assembly with only 1500 miles (looked brand new). Came fully assembled (spring, mount, etc.) which made the swap that much faster. Now the car rides/feels like a 60k car again. For $150 shipped to my door, I couldn't pass up the deal. __________________ #3257 \| 485whp 526wtq \| K&N 63-3079 \| Gates K080660HD (Green Belt) \| ACDelco UPF48R \| ZL1 Addons Wicker Bill \| Mild2Wild

10-23-2018, 10:31 AM	#3
CAM....ZL1 Drives: 2012 ZL1 Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: BENTON, IL. Posts: 1,068 View My Garage	I have 32,000 miles on mine with no problems..

10-23-2018, 06:02 PM	#8
HDRDTD Drives: 2013 Triple Black ZL1 Vert M6 ECF Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Trenton, Michigan Posts: 7,047	No problems here with 42K over 6 years on my 2013.