# Front end

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/front-end/24206>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Created:** [January 1, 2009, 11:21pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/front-end/24206 "2009-01-01T23:21:33Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![diverjon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e5b9ba/32.png) [@diverjon](https://community.cartalk.com/u/diverjon)\
**Post date:** [January 1, 2009, 11:21pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/front-end/24206/1 "2009-01-01T23:21:33Z")

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I have a thump sound when hitting bumps - even manhole covers - in the front of my 97 Caravan. Is that a ball joint issue? or suspension rods? or what?

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**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\
**Post date:** [January 1, 2009, 11:58pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/front-end/24206/2 "2009-01-01T23:58:19Z")

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It could be any of those things. Even a broken stabilizer bar end link. But you won’t know until you have it inspected.

Tester

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**Author:** ![the\_same\_mountainbike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@the\_same\_mountainbike](https://community.cartalk.com/u/the_same_mountainbike)\
**Post date:** [January 2, 2009, 10:06pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/front-end/24206/3 "2009-01-02T22:06:27Z")

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Common causes are worn out struts and/or strut mounts and worn shrunken bushings. The last thunker I fixed, the bushings mounting the ant-sway bar to the chassis were worn and shrunk.