1995 Saturn SC2 big clunk when already in first gear rotating Wheels right to left
Thread Starter
|
Super Moderator
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 12,315
From: Slightly off center
1995 Saturn SC2 big clunk when already in first gear rotating Wheels right to left
239 k on the clock, five speed.
Whenever I back up, be it out of the driveway or a parking spot, having turned the steering wheel most of the way to the right, once the car is in first gear and clutch fully released, as I turn the front wheels most of the way towards the left, there is a large clunk which I both hear and feel through the steering wheel and the driver's seat.
Quick inspection reveals no play in tie rods, no gross play in CVs, no play in control arms. Dang it I forgot to pull on the wheels with the car in the air. However, there is no roaring sound from any of the wheels so I would not think it is a wheel bearing. Front stabilizer bar firmly anchored at front of frame and through each control arm. No play in control arms.
The clunk does not appear in same scenario turning Wheels left to right and does not occur after that first incident. The vehicle drives completely normally and turns without clunking.
The following are all original: (up front)
CV axles
Tie rod driver's side
Power steering rack
Front passenger side wheel bearing
Hubs
Knuckles
The lower ball joints are integral to the control arms.
Control arms have been replaced multiple times but not recently.
Have not yet tried to duplicate while on lift.
Appreciate guidance regarding with diagnosis.
Whenever I back up, be it out of the driveway or a parking spot, having turned the steering wheel most of the way to the right, once the car is in first gear and clutch fully released, as I turn the front wheels most of the way towards the left, there is a large clunk which I both hear and feel through the steering wheel and the driver's seat.
Quick inspection reveals no play in tie rods, no gross play in CVs, no play in control arms. Dang it I forgot to pull on the wheels with the car in the air. However, there is no roaring sound from any of the wheels so I would not think it is a wheel bearing. Front stabilizer bar firmly anchored at front of frame and through each control arm. No play in control arms.
The clunk does not appear in same scenario turning Wheels left to right and does not occur after that first incident. The vehicle drives completely normally and turns without clunking.
The following are all original: (up front)
CV axles
Tie rod driver's side
Power steering rack
Front passenger side wheel bearing
Hubs
Knuckles
The lower ball joints are integral to the control arms.
Control arms have been replaced multiple times but not recently.
Have not yet tried to duplicate while on lift.
Appreciate guidance regarding with diagnosis.
Thread Starter
|
Super Moderator
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 12,315
From: Slightly off center
Critical piece of info missing.
Several weeks ago I blew out the right front side wall hitting a tall curb. The front right of the vehicle took a little journey on top of the curb before coming back down. The vehicle drives pretty straight and the clunk was occurring long before the above occurred. Nothing that I looked at seemed obviously bent
I had the rim checked on a spin balancer and remarkably Not only was it not bent but it was almost perfectly true
Several weeks ago I blew out the right front side wall hitting a tall curb. The front right of the vehicle took a little journey on top of the curb before coming back down. The vehicle drives pretty straight and the clunk was occurring long before the above occurred. Nothing that I looked at seemed obviously bent
I had the rim checked on a spin balancer and remarkably Not only was it not bent but it was almost perfectly true
Thread Starter
|
Super Moderator
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 12,315
From: Slightly off center
Outer CV joint?
If there is a flat spot, shouldn't it find it's way back into the same position when I'm driving down the road and clunk then as well?
Really feels like something settling/dropping into place.
Does this happen only under the conditions I described because this is the only time that the joint is in that particular position?
(Not challenging your answer, just trying to understand)
If there is a flat spot, shouldn't it find it's way back into the same position when I'm driving down the road and clunk then as well?
Really feels like something settling/dropping into place.
Does this happen only under the conditions I described because this is the only time that the joint is in that particular position?
(Not challenging your answer, just trying to understand)
Thread Starter
|
Super Moderator
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 12,315
From: Slightly off center
Hmmmm,
It's this really "heavy" settling noise that almost feels like something is shifting into place. I'll see if my phone microphone will pick it up from inside the car. I will put it back up on the left of course and try to verify both the subframe and the CV possibilities.
Any chance the rack is shifting?
My 97 coupe subframe was sufficiently rusted out that my mechanic told me he would not pass it for inspection the next year. That's part of the reason I passed it on to rube with full disclosure as he lives in a state with no such inspections.
For whatever reason, having been driven under the same rust belt conditions, the subframe on the 95 seemed and seems remarkably in good shape, but if it is shifting, hopefully I can get it tightened down. For me, it is just such a bizarre sound and the ummph of the impact worries me. I've kept a lot of money out of this car until I have enough to do all of what I want, partially for this reason (things going south in a big way)
Thank you both gentlemen for the suggestions. I will check back in the next few days. The house needs to be cleaned.
It's this really "heavy" settling noise that almost feels like something is shifting into place. I'll see if my phone microphone will pick it up from inside the car. I will put it back up on the left of course and try to verify both the subframe and the CV possibilities.
Any chance the rack is shifting?
My 97 coupe subframe was sufficiently rusted out that my mechanic told me he would not pass it for inspection the next year. That's part of the reason I passed it on to rube with full disclosure as he lives in a state with no such inspections.
For whatever reason, having been driven under the same rust belt conditions, the subframe on the 95 seemed and seems remarkably in good shape, but if it is shifting, hopefully I can get it tightened down. For me, it is just such a bizarre sound and the ummph of the impact worries me. I've kept a lot of money out of this car until I have enough to do all of what I want, partially for this reason (things going south in a big way)
Thank you both gentlemen for the suggestions. I will check back in the next few days. The house needs to be cleaned.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 5,544
From: Anniston, AL
I wish I could contribute, but the other guys have more than covered any ideas I have except one. Are you SURE it's in the front end? Sometimes rear suspension issues can transfer sound and make you think it's up front. Put it up on your lift and do a good inspection of the rear suspension too, derf. I don't KNOW that's what's going on, but if you're going to have it up in the air, you might as well look at the rear stuff too. Is the 4 door suspension the same as the coupe? If so and you need one, let me know. I found this one at the pull a part in Birmingham and would go get this for you. Just tell me what size sockets I'd need. I'll be sure to take a 3 foot long cheater bar too! https://www.pullapart.com/inventory/...onID=0#results
Last edited by Rubehayseed; Oct 3, 2025 at 09:16 AM.