01 loud clunk when making sharp or U turns

[mcmatt]

This is another FYI. I noticed when I would make a very sharp or U turn and then accelerate, that I would hear a loud "clunk" noise.

It turned out to be the front stabilizer bar linkage. It consists of a long bent bar that goes to both wheels. It is mounted with two rubber bushings inside of a clamping mechanism. These need to be replaced because the dry out. There is also a ball joint link on either side where the bar attaches. These also need to be replaced because if your vehicle is 6 or 7 years old, the boots are probably ripped. Also, each link is mounted with 2 bushings. These were what was bad with mine. They had become so compressed that they were loose and letting the stabilizer bar jerk and pop. Hence, the noise.

Try to get the bar centered when you reattach it. I heard the noise on the first 3 turns after I finished the job. It has been totally silent for months since. I think it was the bar "centering" itself.

Good Luck. This is an easy job and takes less than an hour.