While returning from las vegas, I thumping sound began in the right front section of the car. I looked but could find no immediate problem. Upon returning home, I made a closer search for what was causing the clunking sound. As I looked above the right front tire, I could see that the welding for the shock tower had broken loose. I immediately took it to the dealership where the car was bought (van wyk's). The car was still under extended warranty. After van wyk's inspected the vehicle, they insisted we must have hit something in the road to cause the welding to break. I pointed out that there was no damage or other indications that something had been hit, but they refused to repair the vehicle. I felt I had no other choice but to seek independent repair. I then contacted independent wheel and frame Inc. Inspection of the vehicle by eldon fussel indicated the welding of the shock tower to be defective in that Mr. Fussel stated that the should sustain a major head on collison before those weld points should have broke. Mr. Fussel also confirmed that there was no damage contradicting van wyk's theory that we had hit something causing the welding to break. Independent wheel and frame proceeded to complete repair which resulted in $385 out-of-the-pocket expense to myself. Mr. Fussel also expressed how dangerous this situation (failure of the shock tower welding) could be (potential total loss of steering).

- Bakersfield, CA, USA