Hey Guys,
On our 07 MCS we've developed a clunk in the front end. This is the kids car he's had at school and this started at the end of last year. Thankfully our Clubman is still quiet. It does it when starting off from a dead usually. If you drive off like a granny, it doesn't usually do it. But you don't have to tach it up to 5 grand and drop the clutch either. Just a good normal stop light take off will cause it. It also does it in reverse.

If that isn't weird enough, when you turn or enter a parking lot will also cause it. Just not as often as taking off.

I own a body shop and have plenty of experience with mechanicals, frames, suspensions, etc. Figured it was about time for new struts so we added Koni FSDs. Happy with them BTW, but still has a clunk. I've checked motor mounts, rack mounts, sway bar end links, control arms dang near everything I can think of. The car is lowered with Eibach springs amd it's been autocrossed a fair amount, but not in the last year or so. So I can't relate that to it.

Any ideas where else to look? Getting tired of scratching my head!

 

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My first guess would have been the control arm bushings as they are a "fast-wear" item, but you indicate you checked them. When I got my ALTA PSRSs (mono-ball control arm bushings) my suspension did exactly what you describe when the set-screws loosened up and allowed the control arm to move. Sorry I can't help, good luck.

 

a clunk starting up that gets louder if you're turning the wheels can be a bad CV boot, but for a car that's 3 years old it's unlikely. I suppose it's possible if you hit a slight imperfection on the interstate. (You'll have to drive in MA to understand, although I'm sure other states are just as bad)

 

Too funny, the kids in Rhode Island for school, and I helped work the MTTS event in Boston in '08, so it's seen MA roads. Not kind to tires, wheels or suspensions for sure.

Definitely not a CV joint. That's more of a clacking sound. This is just a dead thud. Doesn't do it over regular road undulations or even fairly sharp whoopty doos. Just can't put my finger on it. Literally.

 

Same thing just started happening to me also. It started in reverse about a week ago. BTW I had a "clunk" today and it was my hood popping loose for some reason.

 

bad syncro in the tranny?

 

There was a service bulletin for incorrect bushings installed at the factory (M31 01 07). There was also a bulletin for a transmission mount (M22 01 08). My 07 had the transmission mount problem. It was a cluck in the front drivers side. Similar as to what you described except mine always clunked when approaching a stop sign if the road wasn't perfectly smooth. But also occurred at various other times when driving, although it was hard to hear unless you were at parking lot speeds.

 

Just took my '09 Clubman in for a similar "clunk" form the front. Sounds like sway bar end links going out to me. Just under 45k and 2 weeks of warranty remaining. Is that transmission mount on an AT or MT, that is known to fail? I have a great tech on the car at the local dealer today, hopefully they'll find the problem. I'd be disaapointed if the swing arm bushings were out or worn at 45k....hope that's not the problem. Good thing is warranty should cover any neccessary repairs at this time.

I wonder if the service bulletin #M31 01 07 was for sway bar or A Arm bushings?

 

Wheel bearing??? Jack the car up and see if there is any play in the wheel (hands at 12 and 6) ..

 

Just had the front brakes and rotors done at the dealership, along with an oil change and a warranty once over check...the tech says it's front sway bar bushings and they are replacing them under warranty. I was suspect of end links/sway bar realetd items, myself.

 

M31 01 07 was for front axle only.