When i go over a speed bump or pothole you can hear a loud thunk-thunk 2part metallic sounding noise coming from the front driver side. The upper control arm was changed last month, noise persists. Mechanic know says put new lower control arm, lower looks fine boot is not ripped metal does not seem fatigued. I dont believe in throwing parts at a problem without thoroughly diagnosing it, shook down the tire but there is no play in any direction.

What advice can you offer me? Also, what common components are known to fail in the front suspension?

2006 - Stype 3.0 103,000 miles.

 

Unhook the front sway bar end links. Now drive over some bumps to see if it's gone.

Very quick and very cheap to check.

Then move onto the lower ball joint. The lower ball joint should have some play in it if it's causing the noise.
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Thanks for the advice Tbird- Holiday time here so will do this in the next week or so the latest, driving back up vehicle in mean time.

Will send update after I check, I assume JTIS has the procedure to unhook the sway bar links? Am i doing both sides, i assume only the side that makes noise?

 

Both sides

 

Well it's so simple I don't know if the JTIS will have very much. It's only one nut on each side. Just let the links hang until your done driving around.

Just follow your front sway bar and look how it's connected to the spindle. Unhook the end attached to the spindle and leave the other end attached to the sway bar.
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Possible strut mount

 

With that many miles you might want to just go through and replace the front suspension if you are planning on keeping it.

 

I had terrible noises over bumps - metal like as u describe.
I found the bottom engine guard that is not stiff in place.

You can bang it (Carefuuuly - not breaking it..) and see if the noise is there...

You wont believe how quiet my car is after we fixed it correctly.

Hope you have same issue - easy to fix and not expensive..