Steering "clonk"

pauljmcnulty · Feb 16, 2016

Hi all,
I've got a noticeable feeling through the steering wheel that something isn't right. Round bends I can feel a sort of juddering: enough to be worrying despite nothing being picked up on 2 MOTs.

I'm guessing the steering shaft would be the first thing to get checked, but anything else obvious?

Monkeythree · Feb 16, 2016

Wheel nuts torqued up?
I would suggest grabbing each wheel at the sides and giving them a good wiggle and see if you can hear or feel any movement from either side.

944Fripp · Feb 16, 2016

Symptoms sound just like when my front ARB bracket failed, may be out of sight from the examiner. It can be missed especially if it's in the early stages of failure.

pauljmcnulty · Feb 16, 2016

944Fripp said:
Symptoms sound just like when my front ARB bracket failed, may be out of sight from the examiner. It can be missed especially if it's in the early stages of failure.

I've had the ARB links done twice on this car already, over 30K miles! I'd be annoyed if it's gone a third time. [

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zcacogp · Feb 16, 2016

Could be any one of a number of things related to either steering (so shaft, rack, bushes, tie rods) or suspension (bushes most likely).

I can't help more than that other than to say that a systematic approach is best! Does it clonk when there is no weight on the front wheels - i.e. when it's on axle stands? Does it clonk at other times, when going over a bumpy road or heavy cornering? Does it clonk in both directions?

Oli.

les richards · Feb 16, 2016

I had an ARB bracket on my 944 break and that clonked but not necessarily on bends just over bumps.

I was motoring along the A120 when it happened - quite scary!

Mine had broken away; perhaps yours is on the point of doing that?

pauljmcnulty · Feb 16, 2016

Definitely not over bumps. As said, I've had the ARB links replaced twice and that's a different "clonk" entirely.

Had a drive today and it's most noticeable under power in bends, such as out of a roundabout. A sort of "chattering" through the wheel: really disconcerting but funny that neither MOT testers picked anything up, nor when it had a full service. Zero miles since.

944Fripp · Feb 17, 2016

Has the power steering unit been refurbished at all recently? When mine was done, a few years ago it was a complete useless oik that did it (me

) and I ended up getting a load of chatter through it and having to have a replacement unit installed. Apparently it has to be totally clean when it is refurbished...whatever that means! [&o]

PSH · Feb 17, 2016

Hi Paul

get your ball joints checked, not always easy to pick up on Mot as they can jam and unless you use a big wrecking bar trying to pry them apart actually looking for a known issue may not be picked up. Unlikely to be steering shaft as this should be noticeable even when stationary just turning the wheel. I would agree with comments on ARB but no harm in taking a close look along with all other components under the front related to suspension. Don't forget to check wheels and bearings too....

Pete

GlennS · Feb 17, 2016

pauljmcnulty said:
Definitely not over bumps. As said, I've had the ARB links replaced twice and that's a different "clonk" entirely.

Had a drive today and it's most noticeable under power in bends, such as out of a roundabout. A sort of "chattering" through the wheel: really disconcerting but funny that neither MOT testers picked anything up, nor when it had a full service. Zero miles since.

A chattering knock and "vibration" felt through the steering wheel when powering off of roundabouts? I had that... In my case it was the engine mounts which were failed far enough for the exhaust manifold to rattle on the steering column when under power in tight left-handers. Wouldn't do it over bumps or in a straight line and sailed through MoTs. Just a thought [

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