"clunking From Front"

[oafcowl]

I replaced the drop link bars about two months ago and all was well until recently. When Im driving along, now and then there is a clunking/banging from the front somewhere, It doesnt sound like the drop link bars, it seems more like the centre front. Any ideas. I would like to get this sorted as I have a seven hour drive to devon next weekend and I dont want the car to break down with wife and 4 kids!!!

Cheers

[Bigjeeze]

Check the centre engine stabiliser (under the car to the centre it goes from the Sump to the chassis - sometimes the bolt works loose then breaks - then the engine flaps about - If it is that you might be in time to sort it.

[Nick]

Did you replace the rubber bushes on the suspension arm at the same time as you replaced the drop links? Cheap and well worth eliminating.

[oafcowl]

No I didn' replace the rubber bushes on the suspension arm, are these easy to replace? I am going to take a look under the car this afternoon so I will post to let you know what I find.

[oafcowl]

Just been under the car, the engine roll restricor bolt hasn,t sheared and there is only a little play in this, tried to move all the other bushes,joints and all seem ok. The only thing that looks amiss is something to do with the wheel bearing. I looked in the haynes manual and it looks like the speed sensor is loose and just moves about over the wheel bearing, is this normal or would this cause the clunking. Everything else seems fine, anyone any ideas?

[raymac]

I had this with mine and thought it was drop link bars,so i waited for the mot and thought if anything else was wrong i could change all at the same time ,turned out to be a very badly worn track rod end!!! worth getting them checked over ,hope this helps :lol:

[oafcowl]

How will I know if the track rod end is worn, how could I check?

[marinabrid]

just hold the wheel at each side 9 and 3 o clock position and try moving it in and out you may feel or hear a knock if the t.r.e. is worn

[raymac]

i would be inclined to take it to a garage and get it checked over properly ,especially if you are going on a long trip

[oafcowl]

Here we go! Jacked the car up drivers side first and rocked the wheel from side to side, there was a very slight "clunking noise but no play, did the same on the passenger side there was a little more play and a louder clunking sound. I also checked the track rod end rubber which is part of the ball joint and it is split. Could this be the cause of the clunking (the play and noise), also the split rubber is this a sign of the balljoint being knackered and would you change both T R E ?

[Shabazmo]

Get someone to rock the wheel side to side while you place your fingures over the track rod end rubber. If you feel movement then the TRE is worn

[oafcowl]

You can feel movement around the rubber so I presume it needs replacing? It also clunks when you move the wheel from side to side with a little play so can anyone inform me if they think it needs replacing and do you think I should do both? Thanks

[seatkid]

Any movement in a Track Rod End is an MOT failure. If theres no movement in the other there's no need to replace that one too.

 

The steering geometery will need to be reset (retracked) after changing a TRE. Use only a reputable place with "laser" alignment equipment.

[oafcowl]

You wouldn't beleive how much noise this small amount play can generate (IF it is the track rod end that is clunking). Also I have noticed some play in the drive shafts at both sides, you can move the drive shafts from side to side (from the wheel to the centre of the car) about 1-2mm is this normal?

[seatkid]

Any play in the front suspension (e.g. ABS drop links) or steering can sound as if something drastic is falling to bits. Remember the forces are akin to someone hitting the subframe with a hammer! Edited July 15, 2007 by seatkid

[oafcowl]

Very well explained!!! I think I will replace both just to eliminate in case replacing these doesn't cure the problem but I'm sure it will. I have seen a pair on e bay for

[fionnmacz]

I had this after replacing drop links, it was merely the lower nut holding the new link needed an extra 1/4 turn! Unbel. noise for such a minor issue. check 'em all again with an extra twist..........! dont buy crap links from ebay.....my last ones only lasted 9 months...be careful what you buy.

[oafcowl]

Cheers I will do that, I replaced the ones that were on the car with some I bought from a local motor factors, the ones that were on the car only lasted about 4 months and yes I bought those off ebay!!

[oafcowl]

Right, I have just replaced the track rod ends on both sides of the car to be on the safe side,took the car out for a run and the car is still clunking. I have bought a new pair of drop link bars, do you think I should replace these as the others have only been on for 4 months or so? Help!! I'm ripping my bloomin hair out!!

[homer j simpson]

hi just come back from a service at our local VW dealer and asked them to look at ours as it has the same clunking noise.

they had the car on the ramps when i went to collect, they showed me the cause of our noise which is a worn driveshaft offside, also found two split cv boots and a oil leak all on a 52 plate.

the bill will be

[Sher]

Hello Homer.

 

If you look at this link http://www.fordgalaxy.org.uk/ford/index.php?showtopic=2655 and others (do a search for the excellent photos on this matter) you will find the full problem on 2002 (52 Plate Galaxys).

 

Oafcowl has an earlier 98(?) model I think..

 

For this reason I'm not saying that its not the halfshaft and/or output shaft from the gearbox.

 

It will be interesting if it is.

 

I do believes the layout of the equipment is different on earlier Models.

 

For Oafcowl, BMS Auto parts, Huddersfield Rd, Oldham are aware of this problem and carry the half shaft but not the output shaft from the gearbox. If this is the problem!!

[oafcowl]

Now I'm worried!! I think I will replace the drop links to eliminate these, and hopefully it might sort it!. Just waiting for my mate to drop off a jack for me as mine broke while doing the track rod ends, and I will let you know how I get on. Cheers everyone.

[oafcowl]

Hi to all. I have just borrowed a trolley jack from a pal of mine, jacked up the car and replaced both drop link bars. The drivers side is absoulutley shot, sloppy with a lot of play in it. These have only been on for a couple of months, what crap parts. Took the car out for a run and is as quiet as a deisel can be with NO CLUNKING. I now feel safe and confident to drive down to Devon (7 hrs) with wife and 4 screaming girls!!.

I would like to thank everyone for helping/contributing in the resolvment of my problem, Cheers guys, see you all next saturday when we get back!

[Shabazmo]

What a palaver! I don't mean to be rude, but if you want to check the drop links, place your fingers on the ball joint part of the drop link and get someone to rock the car from side to side. You will easily feel the slightest of play. Hope this helps future diagnostics.

regards

[seatkid]

Were the drop links from Ebay?

 

The latest proper Ford part look much better and cost me