Front suspension clunking issue to report....

CompassSport · 09-18-2008, 03:48 PM

Hello all!

I just wanted to post this up here for anyone else who might experience it.

About a month after getting our 2008 Compass at the beginning of June '08, we started to experience a clunking/popping sensation/noise in the front floorpan when accelerating away from a stop. The feeling/sound would intensify based on how hard of a stop and level of acceleration was used. The clunk/pop would also only happen once per incident. The clunking was NOT ongoing after the initial take off.

The first time we took it into the dealership, they told us they tightened up some suspension bolts, and couldn't detect it any more.

Within a day, we felt the same problem start to occur again, although it WAS much better than before. Within a week however, the problem was back nearly as bad as before.

THIS time when we take it in, the dealership admits that there is some kind of TSB bulletin out about this problem, and it's going to require that two new bolts be replaced in the A arms (or at least I'm guessing that's where they were, based on the problem).

The dealership was able to make the repair the same day, and we picked it up the next morning. The good news is, it does appear that replacing these bolts was exactly what was needed, because we have had NO reoccurance of the issue for the past week.

Since we didn't experience the problem for the first month of ownership, I'll leave the final verdict open for awhile, but it's looking good so far!

The bottom line is: If any of you out there experience this problem, don't let the dealer fart around and "tighten" the suspension. Ask for the bolt replacement the *first* time around.

-CS

Webmaster · 09-18-2008, 04:51 PM

I had various front end issues/noises with my Compass. At 30,000 km they replaced 2 tie-rod ends (clunking). I had a squeak that showed up occasionally throughout the 2 years of ownership.

With that said, it seems most Compass owners haven't had front end noise issues.

stuart9534 · 09-19-2008, 06:26 PM

On some of the Compass/Patriot/Caliber/Avengers, some cars had the lower control arm front mounting bolts improperly torqued at the factory. There is a Rapid Response Transmittal on these vehicles to check the bolt torque, if they are above 92 lb.ft., they are ok, if they are below, the bolts need to be replaced.

CompassSport · 10-13-2008, 02:26 AM

An update:

Well it's been over a month and 1k+ miles now since the front suspension bolts were replaced, and I'm HAPPY to report that there's still no signs of clunking/popping!

So, at this point I'm going to chalk this problem up as BUSTED!

:P

-CS

09-18-2008, 03:48 PM	#1
CompassSport Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 6	Front suspension clunking issue to report.... Hello all! I just wanted to post this up here for anyone else who might experience it. About a month after getting our 2008 Compass at the beginning of June '08, we started to experience a clunking/popping sensation/noise in the front floorpan when accelerating away from a stop. The feeling/sound would intensify based on how hard of a stop and level of acceleration was used. The clunk/pop would also only happen once per incident. The clunking was NOT ongoing after the initial take off. The first time we took it into the dealership, they told us they tightened up some suspension bolts, and couldn't detect it any more. Within a day, we felt the same problem start to occur again, although it WAS much better than before. Within a week however, the problem was back nearly as bad as before. THIS time when we take it in, the dealership admits that there is some kind of TSB bulletin out about this problem, and it's going to require that two new bolts be replaced in the A arms (or at least I'm guessing that's where they were, based on the problem). The dealership was able to make the repair the same day, and we picked it up the next morning. The good news is, it does appear that replacing these bolts was exactly what was needed, because we have had NO reoccurance of the issue for the past week. Since we didn't experience the problem for the first month of ownership, I'll leave the final verdict open for awhile, but it's looking good so far! The bottom line is: If any of you out there experience this problem, don't let the dealer fart around and "tighten" the suspension. Ask for the bolt replacement the first time around. -CS Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter

09-18-2008, 04:51 PM	#2
Webmaster Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 362	Re: Front suspension clunking issue to report.... I had various front end issues/noises with my Compass. At 30,000 km they replaced 2 tie-rod ends (clunking). I had a squeak that showed up occasionally throughout the 2 years of ownership. With that said, it seems most Compass owners haven't had front end noise issues. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter

09-19-2008, 06:26 PM	#3
stuart9534 Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 9	Re: Front suspension clunking issue to report.... On some of the Compass/Patriot/Caliber/Avengers, some cars had the lower control arm front mounting bolts improperly torqued at the factory. There is a Rapid Response Transmittal on these vehicles to check the bolt torque, if they are above 92 lb.ft., they are ok, if they are below, the bolts need to be replaced. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter

10-13-2008, 02:26 AM	#4
CompassSport Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 6	Re: Front suspension clunking issue to report.... An update: Well it's been over a month and 1k+ miles now since the front suspension bolts were replaced, and I'm HAPPY to report that there's still no signs of clunking/popping! So, at this point I'm going to chalk this problem up as BUSTED! :P -CS Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter

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