My 99 protege 1.6 makes a strange clunking sound in the front suspension, especially the left side. this only happens when going over moderate size bumps or speed bumps. i know the shocks are still good because the car does not bounce at all. duz anyone have any idea what it might be?

 

Possibly a loose sway bar end link?

 

My friends 99 had the same problem, turned out to be worn sway bar bushings, if my memory serves me right. she had over 100 000km's on it though.

 

i think it might be from potholes up north when i go skiing. ill check if its the sway bar end link. thanks

 

any luck yet finding that noise?

Eric F and stocker are probably right, I've changed my front sway bar links once, rear ones twice. If your car is high mileage, or had hard use (my 99 ES 1.6L has both), it could be ball joints. They're not hard to check, (There was enough play in them to feel when prying on them with a large screwdriver) but they are expensive. Available only at the dealer, you have to change the whole control arm, parts for both sides, taxes in (15%) was $565.xx (CDN) About 1.5 hours to change them in my garage, (no hoist, but I do have an impact wrench)

 

as a new guy it would help you to check the dates on the threads you're bumping....these are from 2002.