Wife's 08 Caliber was clunking like a junker last fall so it went to the shop. Replaced both front strut bushings (kit) or so the ticket said. Well it's back to clunking again, only a few thousand miles since the repair.

It is going back to the shop. I'll keep you posted on what it is this time. BTW it just rolled 50K. Shouldn't parts last longer then that?

I told the wife the trade light on the dash was on. She didn't think it was very funny. We will see!

 

I bet you your lower Ball joint is the problem. The whole control arm will need to be replaced. Tie rod end will probably be loose too.
Once in a while i see blown struts, altho not that common.

 

Why do these fail so much? I know these are not top of the line vehicles but Kia's last longer than that.

 

i bet my friend who works at Hyundai/Kia store will disagree. And Parts and service on newer kia is expensive too... for a economy car.

I think Chrysler is being cheap. When Caliber first came out, they have engine covers. The newer one does not. And the engine cover atually filters out a lot of engine noises.

 

Never hear much bad about Kia publicly.

My wives 09 doesn't have an engine cover. I guess cheaping out on the little things saves a lot of money over time. My 08 Ram doesn't have the cover over the jack and stuff under the passenger seat like older ones did. Didn't come with a front license plate holder either. And why no key cylinders in the passenger side anymore?? If ya don't have a remote and the clip falls of the driver side lock rod, you are screwed.
My other Dodge pet peeve is no locking glove box or compartments!!!
Still a happy Dodge and Ford owner.

 

Turns out the nut on the strut mount came loose and that was allowing things to clunk around. Fixed for free, hope it holds up for awhile.

 

That's good news!!