clunking (not transmission thunk) coming from front driver's side

I'm going to take it in and have it checked, but do you have any ideas as to what I might be hearing. It happens when the front driver's side suspension components compress. The strange thing is, it doesn't happen when the both the sides compress. For example, if I go over a dip in the road and both sides compress equally, I don't hear anything. But, if I turn right, off a parking lot grade, then I hear one big clunk. It's come on slowly but seems to be getting worse. Any thoughts?

 

I had a similar noise in my '00 that exhibited the same characteristics. Service tech diagnosed it as a loose sway bar end, tightened it up, and never heard it again.

 

Thanks, I feel better already. I hope it's that simple.

 

Could be sway bar end link, torsion bar on that side, ball joint, or the cv axle.

 

It appears that the bolt that hold the swaybar to the drivers side was either broken off or loosened itself off. The swaybar is what I've been hearing banging around. I'm taking it in tomorrow to have it repaired (under warranty).

From a very suspension ignorant person (that'll be me), what effect is this having on my truck (i.e. no front swaybar)?

 

Not much more than bad handling and steering response.

 

I had this same problem with my 2000 Expy. If you hit a bump on an angle it would make a little clunck under your feet.

Took it in yesterday for my 60K service and they found the left sway bar strut assy missing. They replaced both sides. Extended warranty covered some of it ($100 deductable). Rides like a champ now.

It's amazing how things degrade slowly and you don't notice the difference in ride until you get it fixed.

 

Definitely suspension related. Torsion bar or sway bar. I can't remember which one they replaced on mine. It ended up being about $100.

Mine was also on the drivers side...... But then that's also the side of the vehicle I ran over a racoon with( got caught up in the wheel well.) I probably drove the truck 10-15,000 miles before the part finally broke and started making the clunking noise.