My 97 intrepid makes knocking noises and it really loud when turning. It seems to make the knocking noise on either side. On the roads it doesn't make the noise. It drives straight. It will make the noise if I hit bumps though. Anyone have any ideas of what I could look for

 

Sounds like bad cv

 

reads like: bad tie rods, bad ball joint, bad swaybar links, bad engine mounts. well, it could be a lot of things.

 

It may be a combination of items, but cv is the most likley suspect. Tie rods a second choice but he stated it runs straight. It is hard to say without listening and or feeling the problem though.

 

I've had tie rods on so bad on intrepids that just about fell apart but the car still went straight.
I also had a gen1 concorde that had a knocking noise while turning that was a bad ball joint.

I have yet to see a CV joint bad on an intrepid that made a knocking noise. clicking, but not knocking. swaybar links are notorious for rattling/knock.

the man said "It will make the noise if I hit bumps though. " I really doubt CV's would do this

ya know trying to "hear" a noise problem on the internet in written form is just about impossible.

 

I would check the subframe bushings...(the 4 bushings that hold the frame the engine is on to the body of the car) If they are anything like mine, they are badly compressed and are allowing the subframe to bounce on the bolts when going over bumps. Mine will be getting changed ASAP, in the meantime using my truck...

 

Trouble areas on that car.... Cradle bushings rotting out, usually the rearward ones go first. You'll feel a slam under your feet when you take off. The inner tie rods ends are very famous for deteriorating. Also sometimes the rack bushings themselves. Trans mount splits and has the same symptom as the cradle bushings.