Suspension / Steering clunk - help in diagnosis please

[edh]

Something that is only really noticeable at very low speed - when moving the wheel, at certain angles, there's a noise that can be felt through the body of the car, but not really through the wheel. It appears to be coming from the offside, although hard to tell.

I've had the front end in the air, couldn't see anything obvious, and with the weight off the front wheels, you can just about feel an increase in resistance at some points as you move the osf wheel.

The car was MOT'd today, nothing found, so it's not falling apart, but there's still a problem. Any thoughts?

My thoughts - It could be a balljoint binding (track rod or wishbone), or possibly one or more of the bolts on the rack are loose. (The car has been in bits a few times over the last few years, and has a fairly hard life on trackdays)

 

[PSH]

Hi Ed...sounds like the steering arm to me?

Pete

 

[colin944]

I had a noise that drove me mad. When you went from lock to lock you got a loud twanging noise. It turned out to be that when I had fitted the antiroll bar I had the c section of clamps in the centre ( the ones that are l shaped to the body ) on different ways round. when I changed them to both be the same the noise disappeared.

 

[edh]

I had a noise that drove me mad. When you went from lock to lock you got a loud twanging noise. It turned out to be that when I had fitted the antiroll bar I had the c section of clamps in the centre ( the ones that are l shaped to the body ) on different ways round. when I changed them to both be the same the noise disappeared.

I remember that - It's only just started, so unlikely, but I will check at the weekend.

I suppose I could change a track rod end anyway - it's not that expensive (although I recall they were a bit tight last time the alignment was done..)

 

[944 man]

My guess would be ARB bushes, but its a lottery, diagnosing faults over t'internet.

 

[edh]

I know, just looking for ideas really... ARB bushes are poly, all new 2 years ago

 

[Briggy]

Steering universal joint? I used to get it when turning / straightening at low speed. The bearing is close to the exhaust manifold (RHD only) and the heat accelerates the wear on it. JMG do an uprated replacement on an exchange basis.

Locate this in the engine bay, from the driver's side :

Trace where it goes down, under the car. Hold the bottom end while someone turns the steering wheel. If you can feel something that corresponds with the clunking noise, then that's the source of the problem.

Cheers,
Bryan

 

[edh]

Jmg shaft fitted 3 years ago...

 

[924Srr27l]

I know, just looking for ideas really... ARB bushes are poly, all new 2 years ago

They could be shot then, 2 years dependant on how much hammer they've had?
This is the issue with Poly they are Harsh (No Noise supressing) and they don't twist like rubber, but wear out and the round hole elongates. (This is why race cars replace them regular)

But your description is difficult to diagnose:

"only really noticeable at very low speed - when moving the wheel, at certain angles, there's a noise that can be felt through the body of the car"

Do you have Power Steering ?
Over bumps? or on the flat ..
The noise could also be there at higher speeds but you can't hear it
On both left and right locks ?
What top mounts do you run ? Rubber / Spherical Bearings ?

R

 

[944Scott]

Strut top a little loose and allowing spring to move slightly when turning?

 

[Monkeythree]

Broken spring? (you would hope would be spotted by MOT man but not necessarily so).
Need to get it on a ramp with some turn plates really so you can have a look/listen at what is going on with the normal vehicle mass on the front axle.

 

[edh]

Do you have Power Steering ? - Yes
Over bumps? or on the flat - flat
The noise could also be there at higher speeds but you can't hear it - maybe
On both left and right locks ? - yes
What top mounts do you run ? Rubber / Spherical Bearings ? - std s2 mounts

Oh and 2-3k miles on the bushes, maybe 5 or 6 trackdays

 

[blade7]

Don't CG do a check over for not a lot of money ?

 

[924Srr27l]

Do you have Power Steering ? - Yes
Over bumps? or on the flat - flat
The noise could also be there at higher speeds but you can't hear it - maybe
On both left and right locks ? - yes
What top mounts do you run ? Rubber / Spherical Bearings ? - std s2 mounts

Oh and 2-3k miles on the bushes, maybe 5 or 6 trackdays

Is the Noise a Groan a thunk or a binding sound ?
Does it do it when stationery and working the wheel left to right?
OE Springs or 2.25ID Sprung Coil overs?
The Rubber top mounts can groan, the springs can rotate also making a noise and the power rack can
make noises as can the ARB when it's twisting and the bar ends are moving in and out the outer wishbone drop link bushes
especially Poly.

R

 

[edh]

Is the Noise
a Groan - no
a thunk - possibly -what's the difference between a thunk and a clunk?
or a binding sound ? maybe - what does that sound like?
Does it do it when stationery and working the wheel left to right? - don't know
OE Springs or 2.25ID Sprung Coil overs? - KWv3
The Rubber top mounts can groan, the springs can rotate also making a noise and the power rack can
make noises as can the ARB when it's twisting and the bar ends are moving in and out the outer wishbone drop link bushes
especially Poly.

 

[924Srr27l]

A thunk's more a Heavy Tone a clunk a higher octave and more metalic lol!

A Binding noise: ,catching chaffing etc..
The KW3's have a Tender Spring or a Helper? I can't remember which, maybe one of these is broken or fractured?

How long's this Noise been apparent? is it getting worst? Does the tone get louder if you turn quicker etc...

I know it's virtually impossible to diagnose without inspection and testing but it's Fun!
R

 

[edh]

Only noticed the noise after my last trackday when I was moving the car on the drive.
- probably a thunk/clunk Felt through the shell rather than the steering wheel. Not getting worse.
KW's have a helper spring.

 

[Mike_Pollock]

Anything diff related?

 

[edh]

No

 

[924Srr27l]

Only noticed the noise after my last trackday when I was moving the car on the drive.
- probably a thunk/clunk Felt through the shell rather than the steering wheel. Not getting worse.
KW's have a helper spring.

It's sounds like Springs? as your turning with lock weight is being transferred from one side to the other
There will be an adapter inbetween the main and helper spring sometimes this is
plastic and may of cracked / split?

Needs going up on a ramp and have somebody vigoursly work the wheel.

R