Thanks to all who have provided answers to my recent front-end clunk inquiries. I'm starting this new thread for the same problem, as the previous thread was getting long.

I've discovered something that should have been obvious right off (sometimes I'm smart, sometimes not so much).

When pushing down on the front end (knee on front bumper) and holding the nut/washer portion of the strut mount that is in the engine compartment, I can hear the noise and feel the clunk. In fact, I can see a small amount of separation - maybe 1/16" - occurring there as I bounce up and down.

My question: is this movement typical to a condition of worn struts, or does it indicate that the upper strut mounting plate and or bearings are shot?

Can I simply try tightening the large nut that is accessible from the engine compartment to eliminate the movement or is that wishful thinking?

I want to fix this the right way, but also don't want to replace parts unnecessarily.

Thanks,
Mason