right front suspension clunk

[pasuriole]

I have a 2009 cabriolet with 600 miles. Since new it seems that when I hit a bump or small pothole, I get a clunk in the right front as if the strut is bottoming out. This does not happen with the left front. I was wondering if anyone else is experianceing this or knows what it is?

[SunDiego]

Nothing over here. Sounds like something is wrong with your shocks possibly. Have you had it checked out yet?

[pasuriole]

Not yet.

[fortow]

Absolutely - this happens frequently on bad road, and it is the right front that tends to bottom out more often. When it happens it gives the little car a real pounding, and if unexpected it can scare and even shock the driver and passenger depending on the speed and size of bump or pothole you encounter.

It's amazing how many people either never encounter this or think it's acceptable behaviour. It is something that no other car, large or small, does unless running over a curb at speed. With the smart it happens on pavement irregularities that most any other car would simply take in stride.

This is one of the major known problems. There doesn't seem to be much being done about it - there are some after market suspension options available but they are more about lowering the car rather than improving the springs and shocks.

If anyone knows of a solution I for one would certainly like to hear about it.

...and - it is normal behaviour.

[pasuriole]

Thanks for the feedback.

[SunDiego]

Originally Posted by fortow

Absolutely - this happens frequently on bad road, and it is the right front that tends to bottom out more often. When it happens it gives the little car a real pounding, and if unexpected it can scare and even shock the driver and passenger depending on the speed and size of bump or pothole you encounter.

It's amazing how many people either never encounter this or think it's acceptable behaviour. It is something that no other car, large or small, does unless running over a curb at speed. With the smart it happens on pavement irregularities that most any other car would simply take in stride.

This is one of the major known problems. There doesn't seem to be much being done about it - there are some after market suspension options available but they are more about lowering the car rather than improving the springs and shocks.

If anyone knows of a solution I for one would certainly like to hear about it.

...and - it is normal behaviour.

That's unfortunate!


I haven't had any of those problems yet (got mine last June). Event with my new wheels it is still doing fine. *Knocks on wood*.

[Smart Enuf]

Originally Posted by fortow

Absolutely - this happens frequently on bad road, and it is the right front that tends to bottom out more often. When it happens it gives the little car a real pounding, and if unexpected it can scare and even shock the driver and passenger depending on the speed and size of bump or pothole you encounter.

It's amazing how many people either never encounter this or think it's acceptable behaviour. It is something that no other car, large or small, does unless running over a curb at speed. With the smart it happens on pavement irregularities that most any other car would simply take in stride.

This is one of the major known problems. There doesn't seem to be much being done about it - there are some after market suspension options available but they are more about lowering the car rather than improving the springs and shocks.

If anyone knows of a solution I for one would certainly like to hear about it.

...and - it is normal behaviour.

I have to take exception to generalities like this. What data do you have to support your claim that it's normal behavior, "a major known problem," and that people (perhaps many) think it's acceptable behaviour? Do you have access to smart's complaint records showing the number of people with this problem. If you or others have this problem, I'll take your word at face value that you have the problem, and I feel your pain. But it's not credible to say this is normal or that a lot of people are ignoring it and thinking it's acceptable. It implies a much larger problem with the suspension that is simply not supported by any credible data, or at least no data that have been posted and vetted.

I, for one, have never heard any problems with my suspension. So does that make me one of those people who put their heads in the sand to ignore this "problem," according to your post?

[pasuriole]

I spoke with a service writer today, and she said that she has heard the complaint from other customers about the same problem. She said she does not think that this is anything serious, but it does seem that the right front suspension does not take the bumps as good as the left.

[smartie]

Originally Posted by pasuriole

I have a 2009 cabriolet with 600 miles. Since new it seems that when I hit a bump or small pothole, I get a clunk in the right front as if the strut is bottoming out. This does not happen with the left front. I was wondering if anyone else is experianceing this or knows what it is?

I had the same problem with my '08 for the first 1000 miles or so. The problem is related to the steering rack, and is not serious. In my case the noise eventualy stopped and no futher problems for 10,000 miles. It appears that some racks are noiser than others.
Regards,
Smartie

[mdfortwoguy]

I wouldn't call it normal behavior in the least.

Mine is very solid over bumps... it rides like a buckboard, but it is very solid while doing it.