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Light clunking noise upon turning steering wheel after a stop

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by SB6, Dec 20, 2019.

  1. SB6

    SB6 Member

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    After replacing my front struts and changing my front brake pads, I've been noticing a quiet clunk sound that seems to be coming from the the front wheel/suspension areas. This clunk only happens once when I turn the wheel after being parked or when I'm turning after coming to a stop.

    Any ideas? With the car on the ground, I went and torqued down the top 3 strut nuts to 37 ft*lbs and the top middle nut to 35 ft*lbs, thinking that would fix the noise. However, I'm still hearing it.

    Is it possibly something like a CV axle or steering rack and pinion issue?
     
  2. fotomoto

    fotomoto Senior Member

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    Was this DIY? Did you replace the strut mounts with new ones?
     
  3. SB6

    SB6 Member

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    Yes, DIY. I replaced the entire strut assemblies with KYB Strut-Plus assemblies. This is my first time changing struts so I'm not sure, but I was under the impression that these assemblies included new strut mounts
     
  4. fotomoto

    fotomoto Senior Member

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    Yeah, those are the "one stop shopping" types so mounts included.

    Hmm, check the rest of your work: end links, lower control arm and the pads/calipers. You may have a loose brake pad or caliper that's shifting. Since it's not bump related, I would look at other areas instead of the struts.

    GOOD LUCK!
     
    SB6 likes this.
  5. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    Usually with new struts making that sound the spring is not seated in the cup correctly. Figure out which side is doing it then have someone watch the strut over the the top of that tire and see if the strut jiggles a little when you hear the clunk.

    Did you mount the spring yourself or was it a complete assy? Also did it come with the top bearing? You have to replace that too.
     
  6. SB6

    SB6 Member

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    I bought the complete KYB Strut-Plus assemblies, so it came with the springs already installed. It comes with mounts, are those the same as bearings?

    Sorry, would you be able to describe in more detail what to look for when the sound happens? Car is currently at the dealership for rough engine noise/engine knock ( :eek: ), but I'll be checking this out once I get the car back
     
  7. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Have a look through the attached, you might spot something. Did you get an alignment after?
     

    Attached Files:

    frodoz737 likes this.
  8. SB6

    SB6 Member

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    Not yet. I was going to wait for an alignment until after I replaced my lower control arms. Got the right side LCA so far, now I gotta do the left side
     
  9. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Ah ok: I'd forgotten, we were talking about that.