Knock on front suspension Dispatch 1.6

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RPWC
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Knock on front suspension Dispatch 1.6

Post by RPWC »

Had the van in to garage today for new driveshaft end and boot, told them about a knocking on the front suspension.
I have had the van on the jack and checked for play in ball joints, track rod ends, bearing , anti roll bar bush and drop link. Couldn't find any play at all, garage couldn't find any either, and their pry bar is much heftier than mine. Could it be strut top bearing?
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Re: Knock on front suspension Dispatch 1.6

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Nobody gets t any views on this then?
Cheers Rich :wink:
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Re: Knock on front suspension Dispatch 1.6

Post by GiveMeABreak »

Knocking or clunking especially over bumps can also mean a worn out or knackered strut itself Rich.
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Marc
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Re: Knock on front suspension Dispatch 1.6

Post by RPWC »

How would I test for that Marc? done the push down on the suspension, returned as normal. Knowing my luck it will be, and another expense, busy sourcing body parts for the car atm,as the wife pranged it into the gate post yesterday. Sourced front bumper, and screen wash bottle, just need fog light and surround, then get bumper painted.As if we weren't skint enough, second time in less than a year she has bumped it, last time we claimed on the insurance, and despite protected ncb, the premium rocketed, so going down the pay for it ourselves route this time. PITA
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Re: Knock on front suspension Dispatch 1.6

Post by GiveMeABreak »

I don't think you'd be able to test it with a bounce back test Rich, it would need to be under some force. If you can here a knocking noise as you turn the wheel left and right with engine running, that can be a strut top that needs replacing. I would also check the engine mounts too Rich.
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Re: Knock on front suspension Dispatch 1.6

Post by Simple76 »

Seems you have checked everything apart from shock absorbers . Can’t really check them properly until they are taken off vehicle and coil spring removed . If it’s not to bad let it develop.
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Re: Knock on front suspension Dispatch 1.6

Post by RPWC »

Taking back to garage pn Thursday as clonk getting worse.
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Re: Knock on front suspension Dispatch 1.6

Post by RPWC »

tested again, no play in any of the above, but I did find movement in the top engine mount on driver side. How much is acceptable? I could move the teardrop one side to side with a pryer, with very little pressure,1 finger, and there is movement on the vertical mount too, the one immediately below teardrop.
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Re: Knock on front suspension Dispatch 1.6

Post by Simple76 »

Worn engine mount would make a knock when car is started or when you pull away. Bottom ball joints and anti roll bar links most common cause. Good test rock the car from side to side. This will cause the anti roll bar links to knock if they are worn.
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Re: Knock on front suspension Dispatch 1.6

Post by RPWC »

Simple76 wrote: 24 Sep 2018, 19:43 Worn engine mount would make a knock when car is started or when you pull away. Bottom ball joints and anti roll bar links most common cause. Good test rock the car from side to side. This will cause the anti roll bar links to knock if they are worn.

Tried that, no noise, no ball joint play, no wishbone bush play, no arb or drop link play.
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Re: Knock on front suspension Dispatch 1.6

Post by Simple76 »

If you can’t find any worn bushes or ball joints. Must be shocks.
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Re: Knock on front suspension Dispatch 1.6

Post by RPWC »

Well the van sailed through the MOT last week,only advisory for drop links. I have since replaced them and the clonk is still there, not as bad, but still noticeable. There cant be any play visible in the bushes, as the tester would have picked up on it. Any suggestions from you guys ? Someone mentioned the shockers is there any way of testing this? One of my customers has an mot garage just across the road and has a lift with the shaker plates on, was going to ask him if he would put the van on and see if that shows anything up.
Cheers Rich :wink:
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Re: Knock on front suspension Dispatch 1.6

Post by Dibber »

I don't know the set-up on that vehicle but I do remember helping a friend try to diagnose a clunk on his Audi. Whilst everything visually looked ok it turned out the wishbone bushes had softened leading to the wishbone moving and rubbing on subframe. Bushes looked absolutely fine as well..

Have you been able to determine what side it is?
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Re: Knock on front suspension Dispatch 1.6

Post by RPWC »

I think offside but possibly both. If one side is on its way, I will renew both. Doesn't look tpo bad a job acco9to the manual. 3 bolts per side plus the arb bush bolts.
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Re: Knock on front suspension Dispatch 1.6

Post by Pug_XUD_KeenAmateur »

could well be an Engine Mount (NS, OS or Bottom). My Motor is awaiting a new Bottom Mount. Characterised by knocking when not moving, recently MOT'd.

If you can't find it, you could wait a while for it to get worse, it'll become easier to find but sounds likely to be that OS Mount. Try turning it over without the Glowplugs or with only a part heat; engine will likely shake on firing; see if you get a knock. My GP's are sh*te and I often get a knock from my worn engine mt on firing. Easy job to sort if so.

Never heard of Shockers causing a Knock myself or had trouble that way personally. Done every other mount there is, but never needed to replace a Shock.
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