Knock/Click in front end on turn...HELP!

[TurboOmni08]

So, for the past week or so my minivan has had a click in the front end on left turns. I thought it was wheel bearings, but the wheels have no up/down or side to side play in them. Nice and tight. So, naturally, I thought it was the axles. I determined it was coming from the passenger's side axel. At $39 for a new axle...I figured why not? Anyway, long story short now the sound seems to be coming from the driver's side and is still there.

When it happens-
-On LEFT TURNS
-At any speed
-At any degree of turn, from 90 degrees to just a lane change, louder with more degree. Sound starts any time the steering wheel passes TDC going to the left.
-Louder when breaking thought a turn

Things I have done/know about the van-
-Lebaron drilled rotors on front w/ new minivan calipers and pads
-Worn out swaybar bushings
-New Ball joints
-New Passenger's side axle

So, I don't know if both axles could have been doing it. I know the previous owner drove it around for some time with the front motor mount barely holding on (unbolted from block) could this have broken/damaged both of the halfshafts? Makes sense to me. Also, my grandfather said something about maybe it has something to do with the valve in the power steering system...

One more question. When I put it in reverse and let off then re apply the brakes they clunk. The front brakes just go CLUNK each time you push then release them in reverse. This happened when these rotors (powerstop) were on my lebaron. The clunking started right after we put them on. Any idea what might be causing this? Never does it in the forward gears.

[turbovanman]

Well if you have a click in the left side and replace the right side axle, that won't fix it. If it doesn't turning, its the axle. The supposed new axle, does it have a NEW outer joint? you can easily tell by the housing, if its shiny new metal then yeah, its new. Replace the left axle shaft and oil should be good.

The clunking is the pads moving back and forth or the caliper guides are worn. It could be as simple as a new caliper or it could be the clips are missing on the pads or the pad guides are worn out. Some brake pads come with clips to shim the pads to stop the clunking, Bendix is one supplier I know does.

[TurboOmni08]

I replaced the right axle because originally the sound was loudest on that side. I assume it was both of them because of the engine flopping around all that time.

As for the brakes, thats what powerstop said about the Lebaron. But this only started with these rotors. They sent me some special shims, but they didn't fix it. I have the wearever silvers on the front and they came with all new clips, which are on there and the calipers and pins are reman units from A/Z.

One more question. These pads smell rather strong when I park it after driving around for awhile. I figure its my heavy on the brakes driving style, the weight of the van, and the aggressive rotors causing this...reasonable?

[turbovanman]

The smell could be the pads burning in, the coating they put on rotors burning off-it can take awhile. Did you remove the coating on the rotor where the pads meet? The clunking won't be caused by the rotors, but they can make the pads squeak if there not true.

[shadow88]

Regarding the noise on turns.
My sister's shadow made a similar noise that you describe. It ended up being the passenger side mount was just a little out of line. A simple adjustment was all it took.

Here's how I found it.
Find an EMPTY parking lot, make left turns and note if the noise changes with engine speed. My sister's did.
Then try during a sparp turn to shut off the engine (continue to make the turn). In her car the noise went away because it was caused by engine vibrations coming through the body.
This didn't start after anything I did, I hadn't moved the mount at all. Just one of those things, I suppose.
I hope this may help you.

[TurboOmni08]

I'm starting to think its a wheel bearing. I can't get it to click or rattle on the lift. Is there any way to check them?

[turbovanman]

I'm starting to think its a wheel bearing. I can't get it to click or rattle on the lift. Is there any way to check them?

Wheel bearings don't click, they make a whumping noise. Lets say your turn left and its gone but turn right and its loud, you have a wheel bearing gone. Sometimes if there bad enough, you can hear the bearing grinding on a hoist using some ears. Also, try to wiggle the tire off the ground, play in the bearing isn't good.

[TurboOmni08]

Which one would grind if the sound occurs going left? Weight shifts onto the right wheel...would it be the right side?

[afsautoworx]

yeah most of the time that would be right but ive had them fool me before, best thing to do in my opinion, jack up the front end of the car, with the car in neutral put one hand on the strut and then spin the wheel, you should be able to feel a grinding/vibration. Then you know its that side.

[turbovanman]

Usually its turn left, and its the right one and vice versa but I've been caught out before also, :mad:

[contraption22]

Check your upper strut mounts!!!

[TurboOmni08]

Thanks! I will. I am gonna go home this weekend (after crazy black friday at Circuit City) and check all this stuff. The werring noise is getting louder!

[turboaddict]

also dont rule out a c/v axle making noise. usually they only are noisy under power when turning tho.

[TurboOmni08]

I've replaced both axles and the right wheel bearing and it is still there...but not as loud and not as often. Could it have something to do with my warn out front motor mount?