Sway bar issue?

[Idyllwild-dude]

I have a 2002 Boxster base. I'm hearing a clunking sound from the rear left tire area. (or so it seems.) My suspension is fine according to my mechanic. I did some research and read that it might be sway bars/sway bar links? It doesn't do it all the time but when it does I can really hear it. Mostly on rough roads. Anyone have experience or knowledge of this?

[tcoradeschi]

The suspension arm which runs from the firewall back to the hub is likely the culprit.

[ecruz]

Originally Posted by tcoradeschi

The suspension arm which runs from the firewall back to the hub is likely the culprit.

I second this. When I bought my 986 it had a big clunk/rattle at the rear of the car. Replacing them was an easy DYI fix that solved the problem completely.

[BrakeExpert]

Remember if its a ball joint that this is a Boxster, plastic ones get cleaned with WD-40, not oil. I know this is counterintuitive.

[tcoradeschi]

Originally Posted by BrakeExpert

Remember if its a ball joint that this is a Boxster, plastic ones get cleaned with WD-40, not oil. I know this is counterintuitive.

Cleaning a worn out part would be akin to putting lipstick on a pig, would it not?

[BrakeExpert]

Yeah, I was being funny. There is a common front ball joint made of crummy plastic on the 986 that ive done that before, lasted quite a while. If you just need the swaybar endlinks theyre not that expensive and not hard to change. The D-bracket bushings however may also be making noise. Its not impossible that it could also be that pesky front engine mount, but more often than not, that makes noise on accelleration only.

[Idyllwild-dude]

What's weird is it is intermittent and only happens on rough or bumpy roads. Of course when I took it to my mechanic to hear when he test drove it, nothing happened and he sent me on my way saying he couldn't detect any issue. (Good for me I guess) It's pretty annoying when it does occur though. Thanks for all of your responses.