I REALLY hate threads like this so my apologies. Its very hard to diagnosis noises via the web and impossible even with video.

EVERYTHING in my front suspension and steering is new. I've checked suspension loaded and unloaded and can't see any movement or recreate noise.

The noise sounds like a bad MacPherson strut mount. Not harsh, not metallic, not obviously broken, again, just a bad Macpherson strut mount.

I've got the original style (foam?) shock bushings on the shocks, they seem like a good culprit except that they are new.

I'm going to replace them to troubleshoot but does anyone have any other ideas?

 

I've found that the lower shock bolts have to be *very* tight....tighter than I would've expected.....or a clunk will result.

Also, the diagonal cross braces in the engine bay have to be *very* tight as well or a clunk will result.

Cheers
DD

 

I'd check the wheel bearing for looseness and check the sub frame mounts. Sometimes a bad shock can clunk too.

 

As well as Doug's important point, check that you have the special washers for the shock top mounts and that they are mounted correctly. They have a slightly protruding centre which should be facing into the hole in the body, both sides, top and bottom, facing into the hole.


If your stub axles are worn and not yet renewed, they can cause it Andy, that is my guess if all else is new, or a loose steering arm bolt also a possibility...
Greg

 

+1
I renewed my own stub axles recently due to a "baby" clunk (so slight only the owner would pick it up) in the front end when negotiating slight ridges/imperfections in road surface.
Fixed it beautifully. Bonus was new stubs required light drive fitting of bearings so rotation/wear should not be a future problem.

 

I have an intermittent clunk coming from the right front of my XJ-S when going over slight dips in the road or turning left into parking lots and driveways where the right wheel is momentarily lower than the left. It's intermittent and fairly subtle but I hear it every time it happens. In every other regard, my car feels very solid.

I don't know if this is what you're all describing but I appreciate the ideas you've all posted.

 

Rhett, grasp a front wheel at the top of tyre so to push with one hand and pull with the other and try to get a real rock going side to side, worn stub will more often than not be heard as a metallic clunk.

 

I'm really glad that I posted this thread because the point about lower shock bolt is something I would've taken for granted. As well as the washers for top shock mount. And I've got the stub axles to replace.

Will report back...

 

This is EXACTLY my situation and the problem has been resolved with new stub axles and wheel bearings.

 

So....I discovered in my stub axle repair that the washers for my shocks were different than stock. The washers that came with my replacement shocks had a collar that was smaller than the hole in the body of the car. I dug out my stock washers and installed to be sure.

I also really tightened lower shock bolt in reference to Doug's suggestion.