# Brand new Monroe Shock/Strut clunks when turning or going over bumps

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/brand-new-monroe-shock-strut-clunks-when-turning-or-going-over-bumps/137470>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Created:** [March 29, 2019, 3:05pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/brand-new-monroe-shock-strut-clunks-when-turning-or-going-over-bumps/137470 "2019-03-29T15:05:09Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 14\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![NGardiner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/74df32/32.png) [@NGardiner](https://community.cartalk.com/u/NGardiner)\
**Post date:** [March 29, 2019, 3:05pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/brand-new-monroe-shock-strut-clunks-when-turning-or-going-over-bumps/137470/1 "2019-03-29T15:05:09Z")

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My husband replaced my front strut/shocks. The right one makes a clunking noise when turning the wheel or going over bumps. We ordered a new Monroe 172888 shock/strut and replaced it. Same thing happened. We did it a third time…same thing. If it isn’t the shock/strut itself, any ideas what it could be? The left front is fine. Thanks.

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**Author:** ![Mustangman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mustangman/32/44130_2.png) [@Mustangman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mustangman)\
**Post date:** [March 29, 2019, 3:11pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/brand-new-monroe-shock-strut-clunks-when-turning-or-going-over-bumps/137470/2 "2019-03-29T15:11:27Z")

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Strut mount is my first thought but this is a “quick strut” that includes everything (strut, mounts, spring and bumpers) so likely not the problem.

That leads me to think is may be the stabilizer bar link but since you didn’t even tell us what make and model or car this is or how many miles on it, it is a wild guess.

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**Author:** ![shanonia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de053/32.png) [@shanonia](https://community.cartalk.com/u/shanonia)\
**Post date:** [March 29, 2019, 3:49pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/brand-new-monroe-shock-strut-clunks-when-turning-or-going-over-bumps/137470/3 "2019-03-29T15:49:12Z")

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> [@Mustangman](#):
>
> stabilizer bar link

My first thought, too.

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**Author:** ![TwinTurbo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8baadc/32.png) [@TwinTurbo](https://community.cartalk.com/u/TwinTurbo)\
**Post date:** [March 29, 2019, 4:34pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/brand-new-monroe-shock-strut-clunks-when-turning-or-going-over-bumps/137470/4 "2019-03-29T16:34:04Z")

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What kind of vehicle is it? Year, make, model and mileage. That will tell people what kind of suspension it has and probability of certain components being the culprit…

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**Author:** ![NGardiner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/74df32/32.png) [@NGardiner](https://community.cartalk.com/u/NGardiner)\
**Post date:** [March 29, 2019, 10:51pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/brand-new-monroe-shock-strut-clunks-when-turning-or-going-over-bumps/137470/5 "2019-03-29T22:51:14Z")

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It is a 2011 Lincoln MKX. I included that info when I filled in the form but I guess it doesn’t carry over.

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**Author:** ![NGardiner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/74df32/32.png) [@NGardiner](https://community.cartalk.com/u/NGardiner)\
**Post date:** [March 29, 2019, 10:52pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/brand-new-monroe-shock-strut-clunks-when-turning-or-going-over-bumps/137470/6 "2019-03-29T22:52:08Z")

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2011 Lincoln MKX with 125k miles

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**Author:** ![Mustangman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mustangman/32/44130_2.png) [@Mustangman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mustangman)\
**Post date:** [March 29, 2019, 11:55pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/brand-new-monroe-shock-strut-clunks-when-turning-or-going-over-bumps/137470/7 "2019-03-29T23:55:25Z")

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Well then, reinforces even more - stabilizer bar link. Might as well replace them in pairs, they only cost $10 each.

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**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\
**Post date:** [March 31, 2019, 1:50am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/brand-new-monroe-shock-strut-clunks-when-turning-or-going-over-bumps/137470/8 "2019-03-31T01:50:48Z")

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As posted above there’s other things beside the strut/shock that move when the road wheel goes over a bump or turning the steering wheel. Anything that connects (via bushings) something attached to the frame to the hub/knuckle ass’y could cause that.

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**Author:** ![NGardiner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/74df32/32.png) [@NGardiner](https://community.cartalk.com/u/NGardiner)\
**Post date:** [March 31, 2019, 10:25pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/brand-new-monroe-shock-strut-clunks-when-turning-or-going-over-bumps/137470/9 "2019-03-31T22:25:26Z")

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We will try it and let you know, thanks!

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**Author:** ![NGardiner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/74df32/32.png) [@NGardiner](https://community.cartalk.com/u/NGardiner)\
**Post date:** [April 17, 2019, 2:27am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/brand-new-monroe-shock-strut-clunks-when-turning-or-going-over-bumps/137470/10 "2019-04-17T02:27:15Z")

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We have an answer! It was not the stabilizer bar link (although we did replace it); finally heard back from the Monroe district manager who told us that there was a whole years’ worth of mis-manufactured shocks and it was a “known issue” by Ford, but was not put out on any bulletins by Ford. The fix is to replace the top part of the assembly, which my husband picked up from the Ford parts store; and thankfully the Monroe rep is going to reimburse us for the purchase (not that it was expensive, but it was very annoying to replace the shock 3 times and have the same thing happen). Would have been nice if the Monroe rep had mentioned that the first time I talked with him back in October. Oh well! Now we know. Thanks for the input from all.

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**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\
**Post date:** [April 17, 2019, 2:53am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/brand-new-monroe-shock-strut-clunks-when-turning-or-going-over-bumps/137470/11 "2019-04-17T02:53:55Z")

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So the same shock was replaced three different times, and after each replacment it still kept making the noise? Did the manufacturer have an explanation why their known-defective parts continue to remain in the supply chain?

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**Author:** ![NGardiner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/74df32/32.png) [@NGardiner](https://community.cartalk.com/u/NGardiner)\
**Post date:** [April 24, 2019, 3:20am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/brand-new-monroe-shock-strut-clunks-when-turning-or-going-over-bumps/137470/12 "2019-04-24T03:20:18Z")

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No. But they are willing to reimburse us for the cost of the bracket we had to replace. Waiting to see if that really happens.

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**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\
**Post date:** [April 24, 2019, 3:24am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/brand-new-monroe-shock-strut-clunks-when-turning-or-going-over-bumps/137470/13 "2019-04-24T03:24:24Z")

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I’m guessing there’s more to this story than you are being told. Still, as long as the problem is resolved to your satisfaction, as Mr. Shakespeare said, all’s well that ends well.

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**Author:** ![NGardiner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/74df32/32.png) [@NGardiner](https://community.cartalk.com/u/NGardiner)\
**Post date:** [April 24, 2019, 3:29am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/brand-new-monroe-shock-strut-clunks-when-turning-or-going-over-bumps/137470/14 "2019-04-24T03:29:04Z")

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Agreed. I wish I could be reimbursed for pain and suffering. I had to drive a car that clunked for over 5 months. It was so annoying! Thankful for the car talk community, what a nice resource.
