A while back I ran my 2WD 2002 Xtreme into a curb which busted the left wheel and set the steering wheel off 30 minutes from 12. I replaced the wheel and messed with the tie rod adjusters so the wheels are pointed straight. But whenever I go over a bumpy road there is this knocka-knocka-knocka racket coming from the passenger side. The noise is what it would sound like if the stud on the shock is loose and is bonking back and forth in the hole. But the shock is okay, I think. The car drives fine but the noise bugs me!
May be unrelated but I had taken it in for an alignment abnd the mechanic said it wouldn't hold because the UCA bushing (driver side) was rotted out. I've gone under there looking for what could be loose, but being no expert, that look isn't worth much. The idler arm might be a little loose and I looked at the sway bar bushings and links and they seem pretty solid.
Wonder if someone has an idea of what is making the noise?

 

If the a bushing is is rotted out, then the metal parts are loose inside and would knock about if there was no load on them or if the load on them was temporarily relieved, like when going over a bump. Depending on the component, it can be hard to know if there is slop it in if there is a force from the springs or torsion bars on them.

I once had lower ball joints replaced by a shop and later discovered the source of a small knock when going over small bumps was that the bolts holding one of them in were loose! I never had that shop do work for me again.

 

The upper control arm being rotted out is the most likely source of your knock but more importantly the alignment will be off and will wear your tires prematurely. I would replace the bushings or the uppper control arm sooner than later.

Of course I just bought new tires so I am bit sensitive.

 

I was thinking the knocking was related to the accident busting the alignment since that is about when it started.

 

The accident could have forced the bolt in the UCA through the rubber bushing and not be noticeable to the naked eye.

 

Could that be what knocked the alignment out?

 

Yes, easily

 

There has been a break in the case. Tightened up the hood hinge bolts. noise is gone.
puttster

 

Good answer. I replaced the UCA and that almost fixed the alignment. The bushing was almost completely gone.