Soft clunking noise (plz be patience, topic is alittle long)

[Benji668]

Please help, I had my Solara upgraded with TRD springs and use it along with my stock struts since Dec. 2001. From this past winter, there is this soft clunking noise coming from the steering. It happens when I turn the steering while backing out from a driveway or a parking space. At first, I thought it was something wrong from the CV joint or the boot or even the front wheel bearing dust deflector issue from the TSB for all 2001 Solara. I was so desperate just wanted to get rid of those noise. So I brought my car over to the dealer while still under warranty. They’ve checked and there’s nothing wrong with the CV joint nor the boot and they also replaced the dust deflector for me. But that didn’t seem to kill clunking noise. And two weeks ago (Apr. 2003), I upgraded my stock struts with Tokico blue. I was thinking it might be the center bolt that holds the strut in place is slightly loose. But that doesn’t seem to be the case. So now I have no clue of what causing that noise. Please give me some advise of what to do, Thanks.

But is there anyone experience something like this before on their Solara?

[CrazyCraig]

It's a common problem with the upgraded suspension. Nobody has figured it out to my knowledge. Most just live with it as there is nothing actually "wrong". It is just an annoyance.

[Guest]

So I guess that there's not much I can do about it.

[happy_aggies]

I know the problem but don't know how to fix it.

It comes from the passenger side front.
There is a plastic covering the fender that is flapping when u turn.

I'll try to take some pics may be tomorow nite.

If you look at the fender, it's the front bottom left (inner right if you r looking from the passenger wheels) you can flap it and it makes that noise.

[Flipside909]

Strut mounts are worn out.

[Benji668]

If strut mounts are worn out, is it a huge job to have it replace? And how much is the part costs roughly?