My 500T with 12k has a popping sound coming from the right front wheel. When you hit certain dips or bumps, it makes one noticeable thunk, like a rubber ball was bounced off the top of the fender. It doesn't do it constantly, only on certain dips/bumps. Since I was bringing it in for an oil change, I asked the dealer to look at it and see if it had the new style jounce bumpers. The dealer ordered new upper strut mounts, which they installed a few weeks later. While they were working on it, I asked the tech if the mounts had the new design jounce bumpers and he said "you would think so, but no they don't". He also said the strut mounts looked fine so he was doubtful that was the problem. Sure enough, as I pulled into my side street, I hit a small dip and heard the same single "thunk"! So the 2 hours spent at the dealer was a complete waste of time.
What I find curious is the receipt given to me mentions "jounce bumpers replaced on both sides". But the tech said the new mounts did not include jounce bumpers. So why would the receipt say that? Is this a case of the dealer trying to make me think they did the repair I was looking for or do the mounts include jounce bumpers, just maybe they didn't have the newer design because they were old stock? Has anyone else had the noise return after the jounce bumpers were replaced?
Should I continue to pursue the repair or just live with it till I decide to upgrade the shocks later on down the road? Its just kind of irritating that a well known noise can't be easily fixed. Im currently living with the clunking steering shaft as well afer replacing it on my previous 500 didnt fix that problem either. My Hyundai Elantra wagon is known for rear sway bar link failure. Recently, it started clunking. I took it to the dealer since it still had 5k left on the warranty. They diagnosed the noise as sway bar links and installed them a few weeks later. The suspension is now completely silent! Why can't Fiat service work this way??!