Howdy,

Over the last couple months, I have been experiencing some weird clunking noises coming from the front end of the car. The noise usually appears when I put the car in reverse and turn the steering wheel. In drive the noise doesn't appear as often, it only seems to happen when there is strain on the power steering.

Just wondering if anyone else has experienced issues like this and what would be the likely cause?

Cheers
Braedz

Do you have the clunking when going forward slowly while turning? Try going forward full lock slowly and listen out for the noise. If it makes a clunking sound its most likely the CV's....

Do you have the clunking when going forward slowly while turning? Try going forward full lock slowly and listen out for the noise. If it makes a clunking sound its most likely the CV's....

Nope, don't have any clunking while driving forward while turning slowly. It only happens when stationary while the car is in reverse and turning the steering wheel.

So not when your in drive stationary and turning the steering wheel?

I was initially thinking driveshaft boots, but they wouldn't play up when stationary that i know of. Steering rack? but that shouldn't play up only when your in reverse.

So not when your in drive stationary and turning the steering wheel?

I was initially thinking driveshaft boots, but they wouldn't play up when stationary that i know of. Steering rack? but that shouldn't play up only when your in reverse.

Actually, it does happen while stationary in drive. Sounds like a creaking groaning sort of sound. I even hear a loud knock every now and then when I go from full lock to full lock while stationary. I am going to call into the Mitsubishi dealer tomorrow to see what they think.

Front sway bar bush? springs seated correctly?

If it happened only at low speed I'd vote for worn front sway bar bushes.
But I reckon if it happens when you're stationary that rules out front sway bar bushes, can't see how they can creak & groan while the car is stationary.
I vote for something wrong or worn out in the steering rack.

Sway bar bushes were replaced a few months ago, soo they are definately not the culprit. Will be interesting to see what the actual problem is.

im interested in seeing what this could me man. Personally, wild guess, im thinking steering rack / boots. But keep us updated yeah?

im interested in seeing what this could me man. Personally, wild guess, im thinking steering rack / boots. But keep us updated yeah?

Certainly will Presti :)

The dealer quickly looked at this yesterday, they said it sounds like a steering rack issue. They will be having a thorough look over it on the 8/02. Lucky I still have warranty :).

Guys, what could cause a loud humming noise to come from my front left hand tyre at around 60kph? Anything below and above this speed is less audible. There are no vibrations felt through the steering wheel, so I dont know if it is a tyre issue or something else? Also, is it normal for a 380 to pull slightly to the right while driving? I have had a wheel alignment done, and everything is spot on.

I posted in this thread because I thought it might be related to the other issues I have been experiencing.

Change the fronts over & start from there. I had alignments done a couple of times & found i wasnt getting it done right. Allthough the print-outs where showing all good,it wasnt till i took it else where that i discovered just how crap the previous place was at their "work".

I ended up going to murph03....they where genuinely keen to improve it!

Mitsubishi found out what the issue was, my front left strut top bearing has failed and it took out a couple other parts as well. $285 part + $200 for labor. It wasn't covered under warranty due to having lowered springs.

Save the $485 & put it towards coilovers :)

Save the $485 & put it towards coilovers :)

Would be nice, but the car is getting sold at the end of this year. I don't really want to spend too much more money on it.

EDIT: Might try fixing the strut tops myself.

Fair enough.

I'm sure you could pull it apart & find a bearing elsewhere for probably a quarter what MM want. If you can borrow some spring compressors should be a farly easy job.

Fair enough.

I'm sure you could pull it apart & find a bearing elsewhere for probably a quarter what MM want. If you can borrow some spring compressors should be a farly easy job.

Just got off the phone to Mitsi, apparently the whole top end of the struts are shagged. The bearings and strut seats are included in the part cost.

Also, I think this explains the creaking noise that I thought was coming from the far left hand corner of the dash.

EDIT: I think Stormie had the same issue at MMX?

If you're selling it see if you can get a strut from the wreckers & grab the parts you need.

Get both front struts from a wrecker while you are at it, if the left has gone then the right is next to go.
Funny you should have this problem, I have superlows on the front and much harder riding tyres than you (30 profile), and no hint of problems with my front struts.
Maybe you drive too hard and/or I drive Miss Daisy too much?

Get both front struts from a wrecker while you are at it, if the left has gone then the right is next to go.
Funny you should have this problem, I have superlows on the front and much harder riding tyres than you (30 profile), and no hint of problems with my front struts.
Maybe you drive too hard and/or I drive Miss Daisy too much?

I think it comes down to how many kms I have done. I have nearly done 130000km. Mitsubishi said the front right struts were fine.

do both Braedz it is a false economy to do the one side

Got my car back on the 11/02. Car drives soo much better! Car doesnt veer to the right anymore and steering is absolutely fantastic now. Steel get the weird humming noise coming from my front left hand tyre, but I can deal with that.

Also, + 1 for Murray Mitsubishi driving down to Adelaide to pickup my car and leave me with a loan car for a week at no extra cost. They even drove my car back to me in Adelaide, fantastic service!

I think I may have this issue. Car has been making a clunk noise when putting it into reverse when stationary. Drives fine and makes no other noises. Should I get this looked at first or just replace it?