I know there are other threads on this, but I have been experiencing a loud metal on metal knocking sound when driving over small bumps. Normal driving over roads it would not happen, but harsher bumps it would make the knock. Sounded like it was coming from the under the passenger side, glove box area. Other threads had indicated to check the strut tower braces for being loose, but in my case I learned that both the drivers and passenger side top strut mount bushings had failed. The passenger side worse than then the driver's side. You can check this yourself by looking in the top mount to see if you have pieces of bushing debris piling up. Eventually it will fail completely like my passenger side did. I still need to do the drivers side, but its not completely gone yet.

If you look at the pictures below, you can see the comparison between a new and broken bushing. The center portion had shifted up about a full inch from where it is supposes to sit. There are many threads on how to pull the strut out and reassemble, but the part number for the top mount is T2R13318 and the rear is T2R13319 in case you ever need it. Right now these are on backorder, so ebay or places that might have one in stock is your only option. There is also a seller on ebay or can contact All Makes 4x4 that takes the OEM metal portion of the top mount and presses in a new center bushing (PN is T2R13318-G). It is at a 1/3 of the price. I was able to secure both an OEM and aftermarket version to compare and they are identical in everyway, minus the price. All Makes even gives you a 24 month warranty on their part. I will use that one on the drivers side once I need to replace it.

Once I replaced this top mount, the car drives and sounds great. Be careful not to bend the active dampening pins inside the strut when taking things apart to avoid damage that is not repairable and causing your dynamic mode to not work. I was lucky enough to bend the pins back into their original positions and get everything working correctly.

Also, the spring isolator starts to fail as well, might as well replace those at the same time. See pics below for reference.

 

Nice write up. My vague memory is that the last person who reported disintegrating bushings was also in FL, maybe it’s a heat/humidity issue?

Also, while it sounds like you’ve isolated your issue, one other source of a vague, engine bay clunk is a loose cross brace.

 

Thank you for posting this and the great pics... I have a MY2017, but built late 2016.. do you think this was something that was corrected in later Fs? or likely to happen with my 2017?

Can you say a bit more about the last couple of photos? How does the last one (in plastic) relate to the others? It looks like there is a damaged or broken out portion. I'm not familiar at all with this part of the suspension, your help appreciated!

 

Thank you for posting this. I ordered the strut caps today. I have the exact same problem on my 2017 R. The foam spring isolators on my F-Type has turned to a pink/brown colored dust and the caps are toast. When it finally cools off in Texas, I'll tackle this project.

 

[QUOTE=DJS;2877399]Nice write up. My vague memory is that the last person who reported disintegrating bushings was also in FL, maybe it’s a heat/humidity issue?

That was me in FL. If our Florida 'heat and humidity' contributed to the failure - that's a design or material issue of junk material selection or manufacture. We are a relatively benign climate compared to many parts of the world.

 

@Valerie Stabenow That last picture is the new spring isolator. Replacing the old worn out one.