Why Is My Car Making a Clunking Noise Over Bumps?
- Tyler Ellis
- Oct 2
- 3 min read
If you hear a heavy clunk when driving over potholes, speed humps, or rough roads, you’re right to ask, “Why Is My Car Making a Clunking Noise Over Bumps?” Clunking usually means a worn or loose part is letting metal move where it shouldn’t. Left alone, it can turn into a safety issue, uneven tire wear, and bigger repair bills.
At Round Rock Auto Center, we pinpoint the source fast and fix the root cause so the noise — and the risk — are gone.
Why Is My Car Making a Clunking Noise Over Bumps?
Most clunks come from play in the suspension or steering. When the wheel moves up and down, worn joints or bushings “slap” against their mounts. The noise can be sharp (like a knock) or dull (like a thud), and you might also feel it in the floor or steering wheel.
Common signs the problem is getting worse: louder clunks, vibration on rough roads, wandering steering, or the car pulling during braking.
Common Causes of Clunking Over Bumps
Sway bar (stabilizer) links or bushingsSmall ball-joint links and rubber bushings keep the body flat in turns. When they loosen or split, they rattle or clunk on bumps.
Ball joints (upper/lower)These pivot points connect control arms to the steering knuckle. Excess play can clunk and is a serious safety risk if it fails.
Control arm bushingsRubber or hydraulic bushings isolate road shock. When torn or collapsed, the arm shifts and “thuds” against its stops.
Strut mounts/top hats & strut/shock wearWorn top mounts or blown struts allow the assembly to bang. Look for oil on the shock body and pogo-stick bouncing.
Tie-rod ends & steering rack bushingsSlop in steering components can clunk and cause vague steering or toe changes over bumps.
Loose or damaged brake hardwarePads without proper clips or seized slide pins can knock when the wheel hits a bump.
Wheel bearing or loose lug nutsA failing bearing can thump/rumble; improperly torqued lug nuts can let the wheel shift — check this first for safety.
Exhaust or heat shield contactBroken hangers let the exhaust tap the chassis over bumps, often a hollow metallic clunk.
Subframe/engine mount issuesTorn mounts allow the drivetrain or subframe to shift and knock under load or rough pavement.
How to Fix a Clunk (DIY Clues + Our Pro Process)
Safe DIY clues (no disassembly required):
Torque check (carefully): Verify lug nuts are tight to spec.
Bounce test: Press down on a corner; more than 1–2 rebounds suggests worn shocks/struts.
Visual look: Peek at sway bar links/boots, strut mounts, and shocks for torn rubber or oil leaks.
Empty the cabin/trunk: Loose cargo, a jack, or spare tire trays can masquerade as clunks.
Note patterns: Only on one side? Only when turning? Louder with passengers? These clues speed diagnosis.
What we do at the shop:
Targeted road test over controlled bumps to reproduce the exact sound.
Lift inspection & pry-bar checks to measure joint/bushing play against spec.
Brake hardware verification so pads, pins, and clips aren’t the culprit.
Steering & alignment assessment to catch tie-rod or rack bushing issues.
Correct the root cause with quality parts (OE or better), torque at ride height for bushings, and an alignmentwhenever geometry parts change.
Final road test to confirm the clunk is gone.
If you’d rather skip the guesswork, book an inspection at Round Rock Auto Center and we’ll handle the diagnostics start to finish.
Why You Should Act Now
Safety first: Ball joints and tie rods can fail catastrophically, especially after repeated impacts.
Protect tires & brakes: Excess play changes alignment over bumps, chewing tires and stressing brake components.
Stop the chain reaction: A loose bushing today can hammer mounts, strut towers, and racks tomorrow.
Save money: Early fixes (links/bushings) cost far less than letting the problem escalate.
Still wondering why Is my car making a clunking noise over bumps after basic checks? That persistent thud is your cue to get a professional look.
Schedule a Suspension & Steering Inspection
Don’t let a small clunk turn into a big repair. If you’ve been asking “Why Is My Car Making a Clunking Noise Over Bumps?”, our ASE-certified techs will find the source, fix it right, and road-test the result. Contact Round Rock Auto Center to schedule your inspection and get back to a quiet, confident ride.
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