A Driver's side Thunking Mystery

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WheelRider34

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So, my family has had this 2003 Liberty for awhile. Recently, it has been having some issues, specifically a thunking noise I have been hearing whenever the car gets to about 60mph. It is a noise I hear coming from the driver's side. At lower speeds, it all seems fine.
I have had the drive shaft replaced, and the ball joints, and the mechanic I take it to says theres nothing wrong with the suspension and they had checked a few times now. Had gotten new tires a while back too. Not keen on getting a new car as who knows what issues a used car would have and a New-New car would be highly expensive and any parts I'd need to replace would be even more expensive to find.
 

ikuo78

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Something seems to be loosely mounted.
Does it depend on throttle?
Does it depend on the bumps in the road?
The key to solving this problem is the conditions under which the sound occurs.
 

The Fixer

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So, my family has had this 2003 Liberty for awhile. Recently, it has been having some issues, specifically a thunking noise I have been hearing whenever the car gets to about 60mph. It is a noise I hear coming from the driver's side. At lower speeds, it all seems fine.
I have had the drive shaft replaced, and the ball joints, and the mechanic I take it to says theres nothing wrong with the suspension and they had checked a few times now. Had gotten new tires a while back too. Not keen on getting a new car as who knows what issues a used car would have and a New-New car would be highly expensive and any parts I'd need to replace would be even more expensive to find.
Is it thunking over bumps, or just at a steady cruise? Is the noise something you feel in the steering wheel too, or just hear it?

Possibilities include the clevis bushings (they knock on my daughter's KJ), or steering rack bushings (can feel those in the steering wheel as a clunk).
 

WheelRider34

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Is it thunking over bumps, or just at a steady cruise? Is the noise something you feel in the steering wheel too, or just hear it?

Possibilities include the clevis bushings (they knock on my daughter's KJ), or steering rack bushings (can feel those in the steering wheel as a clunk).
It's the speed that does it, the highway I drive on is mostly flat to my knowledge. And perhaps it is related, but the car seems to jostle about even at lower speeds.
 

WheelRider34

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Something seems to be loosely mounted.
Does it depend on throttle?
Does it depend on the bumps in the road?
The key to solving this problem is the conditions under which the sound occurs.
Not throttle, just mph, the highway road is smooth.
 

jeepop

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Switch your front tires and see if the noise moves.

While it is jacked up see if you feel any movement in the front tire that would indicate the bearing is starting to go.

Feel for more heat on the right vs left side to see if the bearing is generating more heat.

If you have over 100K and you have not had to replace the front bearings, that is what I suspect.
 

jimbobwa

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Front isolator on the drivers side of the rear ends lower control arm. Had an 02 and an 03 do it. One on the passenger side, the other was the drivers side. Sounds like what yours is doing.
 

WheelRider34

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The trouble I'm having is just, like I've said, I've tried a lot and spent a lot already. And it seems like either I'm not actually hitting the problem or something else pops up. Plus, all the answers given here say different thing. This game of whack a mole has been stressing me out
 

KJowner

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Jack it up and put it on a stand, spin the wheel and listen, also look at the tyre to see if it has any runout (i know you said they are new but the alloy may be damaged), then grab it at 12 and 6 o'clock and try to rock it back and forth, repeat with your hands at 3 and 9 o'clock, you should be able to feel if anythings loose.
 

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