Sounds as if the nut was tight only because it was at the limit of the thread.

C'est la vie.

If at first you don't succeed...................

3 days later and still noise free. It usually comes back within a week, so I'll update again in a few days.

Well, its been nearly a full 7 days and my front end is still quiet as a mouse. Its becoming very difficult to contain my joy, but I must, because as soon as I claim victory the clunk will reappear with vengeance in its eyes.

You have fixed it!

Admit it! LOL

Well, it looks like the noise is gone for good! It was definitely the sway bar bushings and possibly the end links. I can finally get my alignment done this weekend!

Good stuff

I realized that I neglected to further update this thread. It's been around 10 months since my epic battle with my front suspension and I can say that I have not heard or felt one single rattle or clunk in all that time.

Chuck was looking for it and neither of us could find from search function. Mine is at the shop now for major suspension rebuild. Hope it drives like new.
Got front and rear bushings and links. May need both, the links are shot.

Hopefully she'll be as good as new, Panelhead.

XJ8JR,
Re-read your post dated 8-19-14, about getting to the sway bar bushings. Not trying this yet, I can possibly see how getting to the passenger side bushing might be done, but not quite sure I understand how you got to the drivers side bushing from the side with the air cleaner.
I know it has been 10 months, as you stated yesterday in your final post, but could you clear this one point up for me please. My car is also an 05/XJ8L, so our two cars are alike, but I'm the one somewhat confused.
Any help from you would be appreciated.


Chuck

Hey Chuck, you'll have to remove the entire air cleaner assembly, including the air ram, and then unclamp the thick coolant hose and push it aside. Let me know if you have any more questions.

XJ8JR--


Thanks, I'll give it a go and see how I make out. The "air ram" your talking about is, I assume, the lower part that directs the air into the cleaner box?


Chuck

Its the little snorkel part that sucks air from over the radiator and leads into the air cleaner.

Not sure why anyone is taking out the air box, coolant tank, or hoses. On my 08 VDP, I put it up on jack stands, took the wheels off and then the inner plastic wheel liners. I then unbolted the aluminum crossbar and moved it out of the way to remove the sway bar bushing clamp bolts. Replaced the bushings and put it all back together and all clunking is gone! All done without opening the hood...

I'll try out this method this weekend. I think the bushings I replaced three years ago in the first post of this thread have worn out already.

I bought some Uro brand that were soft. Ordered another set.

uh oh. I ordered Uro also. They'll arrive on Sunday.

I got the URO bushings and they seemed ok to me. I tried the method above (removing the wheel linings and going through the side) and it worked out pretty well. I found there were a few things things that were easier from above, but having the additional access through the sides definitely made things easier.

It seems my clunking noise is gone again for now...we'll see this actually did the trick.