So just started hearing a metallic "clunk" on front left suspension when go over any "bump" Wondering if maybe bushing worn out dried up and fell out? Any thoughts or past experiences on this? 1997 X300 XJR around 103k miles. Can't seem to find any similar threads about this in searching.

 

Upper shock absorber bushings are the most common culprit when it comes to front end clunks.

They're made of a dense foam-like material. With age they often just sorta crumble away.....

There are other possibilities but I'd suggest looking at the shock bushings first.

Cheers
DD

 

Thanks! That seems to be my consensus and watching video on the process now to see if I'm going to attempt myself or go to friends house that is mechanic. May opt to replace front shocks while i'm into it.

 

I give you an 85% chance that it is your front sway bar bushings.

 

Mine was doing the same and I found that the lower shock bushing was shot. They were $4 from RockAuto.

 

Honestly for the small cost of the bushes, replace them all! Do the upper and lower shock bushes AND the sway bar ones. I had pretty much every rubber item replaced in the undercarriage but there was still one right sided clunk remaining. I took it back to the independent repair shop that did all the work, and it took them two tries to find the every-so-slightly worn sway bar bushing. It looked OK from the outside but had cracked inside. So while you're at it, replace everything!

BTW, the mechanic warrantied a re-replacement of shock bushes. The ones he installed disintegrated after about 6 months, and he said all the ones of that type did the same. He stopped carrying that brand, and installed poly bushes. My XJR drives beautifully now, with no increased harshness to the ride. His supplier was a Canuck wholesaler, so I don't know if all rubber bushes are now poor quality or only that one brand/batch/supplier, but food for thought.

 

Thanks for all the info, did an inspection off all the parts with rubber I could see when it was on the stand and doing trans fluid but I will recheck the sway bar ones. I did look closer today and I can see the upper bushings are shot the driver side more so than passenger which lines up with where the clunk is coming from. Sway bar bushings a tough job? Haven't checked that process out yet. I was wondering about the durability of the replacement bushings as well. I will see if i can find some poly ones. I have local guy that works after hours for $40/hr that i get to go and help do the work so I've got a few things lined up for my next visit. New belts and such. Tempted to just do new shocks while i'm in there at $48/per.

Thanks for the input, will update once completed.

 

Got passenger side upper bushing changed and it solved the problem. Driver side however is another beast. Not having luck getting enough access with the tools I have on hand. Will be a cinch once I drain the coolant so I can remove the coolant reservoir. I can get a socket on it but have no way of holding the "rod" from turning as well. Thanks all for the tips.