Theories on Suspension Clunking - Performance Models

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Redi3s

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Hello All. I hope you are all having a nice day.

I know this topic has been discussed in many forums across the board and as of yet, a real solution hasn't been found..it's hit and miss. So I really want to keep it fresh and alive as there has to be a solution to this beyond bad strut mounts as Polestar claims.

This is my first posting here so I figured I'd create a thread that hopefully can grow and be of good resource for everyone owning a Polestar 2 Performance who also suffers from the suspension clunking many of us are afflicted with.

In the past two weeks, I've gone through dozens and dozens of videos regarding suspension issues, sounds, problematic areas, solutions, how to identify issues, the sounds various bad components make, etc.

I had my strut mounts updated to the "new" ones...according to the dealer...back in early November. Prior to the update, I started having clunking sounds when going over rougher roads and slow speeds...i.e. below 15 MPH would really activate this issue.

Given how prevalent the "strut mount" issue seems to have been in the past few years and clearly how Polestar has released various TSB's out for this issue, I figured the strut mounts must be the culprit. So the service center installed new ones.

Well, after the replacements, I can safely say the issue got worse. The clunking on both sides is there and now, the clunk clunk clunk occurs when I turn left primarily (very noticeable) and somewhat noticeable when turning right as well. This turning clunks were not present prior to the strut mount updates.

I am now convinced that we are dealing with different issues other than the strut mounts. I cannot believe Polestar can be this incompetent to release new parts that do not solve the issue. So giving them the benefit of the doubt, I am trying to think what else the issue may be?

As mentioned, after much research and watching videos and listening to symptoms, I believe the issue may be from the following this (most likely):

  • Bad Sway Bar Bushings - this sounds awfully similar to what I'm hearing but more muted in some cases.
  • Bad Ball Joints (upper or lower) - also sounds quite similar to what I'm hearing.
  • Bad Tie Rods - not likely as these also cause uneven wear and "wandering" of the steering which I do not have
  • Bad CV joints - very unlikely as these cause a popping/constant rattling sound as the wheels turn.
  • Control Arm Bushings - possibly but more difficult to diagnose
  • Brake Issues - have heard on several occasions that the Brembos cause noise and clunking due to loose components but I highly doubt it.
  • Bad Strut Assembly - again possible but highly unlikely because my car feels rock solid handling-wise.
This can't be this difficult to solve....there are only a finite number of components down there that can be diagnosed.

I do have a January 10 appointment and to be honest I'm not sure I should keep driving my car or not. I don't want a catastrophic failure to damage other components but not sure. This is a heavy car....so no doubt it places heavy demands on the suspension system.

Anyway, I thought this may be a good place to bounce around some ideas if people are willing/have similar issues/on-going problems. Ideas/thoughts/solid discussions are welcome.

Noise while turning in a circle - https://photos.app.goo.gl/nfVXjsoV2jt1AP6w5

Noise while driving over rough roads - https://photos.app.goo.gl/HghtUprmVnJaXYrx8
 
Based on the videos, it sounds like the issue might be related to the sway bar bushings or the ball joints. I would recommend seeking a second opinion from an independent mechanic. If there are any reputable shops in your area, I'd consider taking it to them for diagnosis.
 
Based on the videos, it sounds like the issue might be related to the sway bar bushings or the ball joints. I would recommend seeking a second opinion from an independent mechanic. If there are any reputable shops in your area, I'd consider taking it to them for diagnosis.

I agree...getting a second opinion from an independent mechanic is the best move, especially for those suspension components
 
I agree with you both. My dilemma is the car is still under warranty. I am taking it in on January 10th and will most definitely spend time with the tech to essentially demand other components and suspension areas are checked. If that fails, I'll take it to an independent shop but finding a reputable suspension specialist is difficult around here (Los Angeles).
 
Hey, I’m dealing with the same clunking issue on my Polestar. Had the strut mounts replaced, but the problem got worse, especially when turning. I agree that it seems like it could be something other than the mounts, possibly sway bar bushings or ball joints. I’ve got an appointment soon too, so I’m curious to see what they say. Let’s keep this going and figure it out!
 
Hey, I’m dealing with the same clunking issue on my Polestar. Had the strut mounts replaced, but the problem got worse, especially when turning. I agree that it seems like it could be something other than the mounts, possibly sway bar bushings or ball joints. I’ve got an appointment soon too, so I’m curious to see what they say. Let’s keep this going and figure it out!

For sure. My car is now in the shop so let's see what excuses they make in trying to slip out from under fixing the issue.
 
Hey, I’m dealing with the same clunking issue on my Polestar. Had the strut mounts replaced, but the problem got worse, especially when turning. I agree that it seems like it could be something other than the mounts, possibly sway bar bushings or ball joints. I’ve got an appointment soon too, so I’m curious to see what they say. Let’s keep this going and figure it out!

For sure. My car is now in the shop so let's see what excuses they make in trying to slip out from under fixing the issue.
 
Finally got my car back after almost a month and a half. They changed out the front sway bar links so let's see how that goes. The car feels a lot more stable and poised from before and the suspension feels more subtle and compliant. I'll have to drive it around for a bit and let the components settle in before I determine if the suspension clunk has completely gone away or not. Definitely sounds quieter though.
 
Finally got my car back after almost a month and a half. They changed out the front sway bar links so let's see how that goes. The car feels a lot more stable and poised from before and the suspension feels more subtle and compliant. I'll have to drive it around for a bit and let the components settle in before I determine if the suspension clunk has completely gone away or not. Definitely sounds quieter though.
It's great to hear you got it back! It seems like the new sway bar links really helped. I hope the clunk is completely gone after you've had some time driving it
 
It's great to hear you got it back! It seems like the new sway bar links really helped. I hope the clunk is completely gone after you've had some time driving it
It hasn't completely disappeared but reduced considerably. So it's a step in the right direction. The rear thumping that occurs during a blip acceleration off the line is still there even though they though it's the brake pads...which clearly it is not.
 
For sure. My car is now in the shop so let's see what excuses they make in trying to slip out from under fixing the issue.
Hello from Norway.
Happy to find this thread about front suspension noise on PS2 (2022 LRDM). I have had this noise problem for a long time and is appears typically on washboard winter roads in the speed range of 60-80km/h. Been to the workshop several times, and after waiting for 8 months due to new version of those bearings, the front strut bearings was replaced last fall (same as original, not new versions) without any improvements at all. It just added some knocking noise over speed bumps now and then. It looks like they blame all kinds of suspension noise on the front strut bearings without any other investigations. They can`t find anything wrong with other suspension components. My PS2 will go back to the workshop again in april for several days of investigations, and now with a "master technician" in lead. I will certainly refer to this thread with focus on the sway bar links. Attached a sound file extracted from a video file.
 

Attachments

  • 1. 2023-12-23 12.12.54 lydfil mp3.mp3
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Hello from Norway.
Happy to find this thread about front suspension noise on PS2 (2022 LRDM). I have had this noise problem for a long time and is appears typically on washboard winter roads in the speed range of 60-80km/h. Been to the workshop several times, and after waiting for 8 months due to new version of those bearings, the front strut bearings was replaced last fall (same as original, not new versions) without any improvements at all. It just added some knocking noise over speed bumps now and then. It looks like they blame all kinds of suspension noise on the front strut bearings without any other investigations. They can`t find anything wrong with other suspension components. My PS2 will go back to the workshop again in april for several days of investigations, and now with a "master technician" in lead. I will certainly refer to this thread with focus on the sway bar links. Attached a sound file extracted from a video file.
Your sound file doesn't seem to work....but I imagine it sounds something close to either of these two.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/fQoE6pNfKEBFSpmx5

https://photos.app.goo.gl/F5ZA8FYK2EfSnDJP6
 
I am not an expert on this but hopefully it works now.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/1NCxkGwVTTh6SD3r9
Yes that worked and yours sounds worse than mine! I firmly believe the issues are the sway bar links, ball joints, control arms, etc...they are not just related to the shocks, struts, or bearings. This sounds just like a bad sway bar bushing failure or something like that.

It's embarrassing and completely unacceptable for a car of this price range to have this issue. Totally unacceptable.

I would escalate this issue and post in on the Polestar Community forum as well as Polestar's Social Media sites...IF they don't remove your post which they very well may.

It's even more concerning given that a lot of our cars are coming off warranty coverage...what do we do then? Pay thousands of dollars of money to fix an issue that Polestar KNOWS is a problem?
 

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