Front Suspension Knock

[Capn. Pugwash 0]

I've done a quick search on the forum but I can't really find anything that sounds like what I'm experiencing. There's an intermittent knocking sound coming from the front left suspension on my '91 205GTi 1.9L s3. Some days it's really loud while other days it's absent all together. It happens while going over small bumps and on bad days it knocks when you turn the steering wheel hard (eg. getting out of a parking spot). I took it to a suspension specialist and they suggested it was the control arm balljoint but I'm a bit skeptical- I tried levering it with a bit of wood and I can't find any play. I had a couple of thoughts:

1. Strut top mount worn

2. duff CV joint

3. ARB drop link

4. worn bush somewhere

The car has new front struts and some of the bushes have been replaced (all but the control arm bushes I think). It also has newish dust boots on the CV's and new arb drop links which makes me think that this isn't the problem.

 

I'm stumped - does anyone have any ideas????

[mickie 3]

wont it just be your shock ? have a look at it to see if it looks like its leaking.. when theres no flued left in them they tend to knock.. my van did the same and my gf's mazda 323..

 

try pushing the car up and down, you might be able to hear it better then to make sure its the shock also it shouldnt bounce, if it does you need new ones anyway

Edited August 17, 2006 by mickie

[Jonmurgie 2]

The things you've listed are the best place to start, either check them over or just replace them. The Top Mount and Drop Link is where I'd start and neither are that expensive (over here anyhow)

[gti_al 1]

I would start off with the cheapest bits... so any bushes that you haven't done. Call caravelle here in melb and ken will sort you out with stuff really cheap, and he posts everywhere.

[Capn. Pugwash 0]

Thanks for the leads guys, I'll look into it and keep you posted. I'll check the bushes that haven't been replaced and order some from Caravelle (along with some strut top mounts- might as well save on postage if they're not that expensive...and a new dipstick to replace the one that broke at the last trackday....!). I'm guessing it isn't too big a job to replace them- I've done it before on other cars so it hopefully won't be a hassle

 

ps. sorry for posting in the wrong forum!

[DaveK 0]

I rekon there is a good chance it will be the drop links tbh. Mine were knackered and clonked and creaked. Very easy replacement aswell.

[Capn. Pugwash 0]

I rekon there is a good chance it will be the drop links tbh. Mine were knackered and clonked and creaked. Very easy replacement aswell.

 

I ordered a new drop link from Ken at Caravelle ($56 + GST IIRC) and installed it yesterday. I only had time for a quick test drive and the noise seems to have gone completely

 

Thanks to everyone for their help!!

Edited September 8, 2006 by Capn. Pugwash

[Gtautotech 1]

Drop links must be my Problem along with play in passenger side of rack

[gti_al 1]

$56 is good value... Ken is a champ, and for some reason he always gives me really big discounts.

 

I managed to fix my front end knock today as well... Two of the bolts that hold the subframe on were fkd, so i replaced them and the nut things and all is sweet. No more knocks, tramlining, bumpsteer and i can actually go through corners without thinking the subframe is going to fall of.

[pug_ham 245 3 Cars]

I've fixed an annoying suspension knocking / rattle on my STDT this week.

 

I had a look all round & the only play I could find was in the passenger balljoint so I removed the clamp bolt from the hub & figured I needed a new wishbone but when I checked the balljoint was still tight.

 

The bolt was allowing the balljoint pin to move vertically in the hub so a new bolt fixed it in minutes.

 

Graham.