2010 CLUNKING & CREEKING while negotiating speed bumps & pot holes

THE PROBLEM:
I needed to tackle the CLUNKING & CREEKING noise to both front tires to my 2010 silver Prius, while negotiating speed bumps and pot holes at low speeds. I ignored the noise the noise problem for as long as I could until, tackling it today. The noise got more persistent over the last six months. Highly noticed at lower speeds over bumps and holes. Nothing notable on straight-aways at highway speeds of 70-80mph. Turning or reverse added nothing to the symptoms. As well, it was not heard in faster turns on exit/entry ramps

THE FIX PROJECT:
- CLUNKING. I replaced both sway bar links ($27.64 / set). The 17mm link bolts came off easy with the pneumatic air impact wrench. I chose to socket wrench them slowly back in. Removing both old links and placing them side-by-side to the new ones immediately revealed the problem. The rubber boot and grease inside was well worn and torn. The neck was too loose and bent too easily, vice the new links were 100% stiff and did not give. I used a crescent wrench and 4mm allen wrench bit tool for final tightening; bolt torque specs were 55ft lbs.
- CREEKING. I replaced both the cracking and expanded rubber sway bar bushings ($17.77 / set). Getting to these items was easy with the carshop lift. A look at the old and new bushings showed how in dire need replacement was justified. When removed and placed side-by-side, I was noticeably worn and loose. As I removed the wheel components, the CREEKING problem emanated from the loose play along the sway bar. The 8x 17mm bolts holding up the swaybar bushings were held down with a metal plate each; bolt torque specs were 27ft lbs.

SUMMARY.
All the CLUNKING & CREEKING noises are gone and I enjoy a lot smoother ride now on the tires and along the steering column. I estimate the loose play of the sway bar to the rubber bushings were the greater cause of the original SQUEEKING. The CLUNKING was the sway bar rod CLANKING and hitting up against the below control arm; this occurred at slower speed bump intervals that easily bent the older links. The action would be akin to a coil doorstopper-- boing, boing! The old links were defective long ago, and serve no rigid support to the sway bar. I can only imagine that this was the first time the sway bar links and bushings were replaced in all the nine years and 233k miles of the Prius. Additionally, while I was down there underneath the car, I sprayed every rubber grommet and boot with silicone spray in order to maintain proper material health.

 

the lift & impact tools made it even easier than using my home rear parking pad
I did it all in under an hour in the local hobby shop
but a normal project at home with beer, would take me ~3/4hrs