Chrysler Repair: Front end knocking noise, alignment shop, strut rod

Question
QUESTION: my family and i took a trip to mississippi around thanksgiving and when we got back there is this knocking sound in the front end of the car. What can that be?

ANSWER: Hi Janee,
I need to know more: Is the sound present when the engine is idling and your aren't moving? Is it only present when you are moving? If you put the trans in neutral while you are moving does it stop? Is it more noticeable when you are turning, or when you are accelerating rather than when you are driving at a constant speed going straight? Does it happen when you are braking? Can you describe the sound better: a deep knocking sound, a clicking sound, a grinding sounding? Does it sound like it is coming from the left or right side or from the center of the front? Is it present when you start the engine, when you begin to move, or only after driving for some distance?
Any help would be useful for me to give you an answer.
Roland

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QUESTION: it is a deep knocking sound coming from the driver side of the front end and it is heard when driving and especially when you hit a bump

Answer
Hi Janee,
That sounds like a suspension part has come unbolted. See if you can make it sound by pushing down on the fender or bumper area on the driver's side and repeatedly do this in synchrony with the spring action so as to get the car sort of bouncing. Listen for the sound and have a helper who can look/listen from the ground to see if he can spot any part that seems to be loose and is banging against another part. It might be an anti-sway bar has worn out its rubber bushing or something similar with a suspension strut rod. The top mounting of the strut could also be loose (that you would see as motion under the hood at the top of the strut tower into which it fits). If you don't have experience with this sort of thing a front end/wheel alignment shop would be the place to take it. I would prefer an independent locally owned shop to one of the franchise type for this sort of issue.
Roland