I hate my 2002 Dodge Neon

First, the trans cooler decides to rot away and start cross mixing fluids between the radiator and the trans. Got that fixed in December, new radiator and rebuilt the trans.

Now, it seems, not just do I have the wonderful common problem of my lower control arm bushings coming out from the control arms, but it seems I have another problem that may or may not be related to the bushings. It seems that whenever I go over a bump, or turn too much to the left, or go over a pothole, it sounds like something is hitting in front passenger side wheel well. It doesn't sound like the tire is scraping, but something is definetely making noise in there. I've been told it can be many things: it could be related to the bushings (but if it was, why isnt it happening on the drive side front too?), the CV joints, the tie rod, I can't remember everything people have said what it could have been. So I'm wondering if you guys might have any idea what it could be, so I don't get the bushings fixed only to find out that this problem is still there.

 

its hard for anyone to really tell what the problem is without taking a look at the car. buy a haynes manual from your local autoparts store and you can compare your suspension components with what the pictures in the book show. if i were you, i would make sure my front sway bar wasnt bent, check my steering knuckles, and see if any bolts under there are loose like the strut bolts, swaybar bolts, and such.

 

Unless the car has a tendency to wander around the road, I'd rule out the steering system (rack,inner/outer tie rods.) CV joints willusually vibrate or grind when they fail, it it's a "clunk" I'd look elsewhere. I'd look at the suspension, check the ball joints.