Knock Knock?

[makil6]

Hi guys, been persevering with this for a while but now its getting to me, 97 mk1 Gal, with quite a few miles. Knocking from the front end, quite heavily i may add. (dont mention the drop links, tried and failed) doesnt matter if im going straight, round bends, rough roads or smooth roads, no difference. Doesnt do it on idling, but will do if you put it into neutral when going.(not gearbox then?). Now so bad as the wifes labelling it a death trap!!! Done the top strut mounts a few years back so hopefully wont be them, was thinking or guessing track rod ends. Jacked it up and tried for movement in the track rods but couldnt really tell. any ideas would be appreciated. Thanks.

[Steve P]

Drive shaft - normally worse when cornering but could be so far gone that it rattles around when straight as well.

 

Is it related to engine or car speed - you said it stops at idle but that is not clear. Does it do it the car is moving but you are in neutral? Does it do it if rev the engine but car not moving?

 

Strut mounts - they don't last forever - have they worn again - we only got about 5 years out of ours form so new so ours will need doing again soon (assuming I can fix / find an engine!!).

 

Steve

[makil6]

Hi steve, doesnt appear to be connected to speed, it doesnt do it when the car is stationary even if i rev the engine. still does it if you put it into neutral when moving. its not a regular uniform knock if you know what i mean. Kids say it sounds like there is someone under the car wanting in!! :unsure:

[sparky Paul]

Drop links are always favourite, and the symptoms you describe are classic for drop link failure. Track rod ends don't sound so bad, and you only tend to hear them at low speeds over potholes etc..

 

Rock the car with the roof rails and see it you can make any knocking/clicking noises, this really shows the drop links up. If you hear something, get someone else underneath feeling the suspension joints for movement, particularly the drop links. Make sure the all the nylocs on the drop links are tight.

[seatkid]

Check all the bolts holding the undertray are still there.

 

Check engine roll restrictor is not loose.

 

How do you know its not ARB links? Have you changed them recently? Some cheap links (i.e. all non OEM) have ridiculously short life. Any play at all ( & you need a lot of muscle to check by hand) and they need changing.

 

My money's on ARB link(s)

[makil6]

Been doing it for few weeks, changed the drop links and it made no difference, not even for a day. In the past when the ARBs have needed done it sounded more like the front end was falling off, especially over bumps. this time bumps dont meke a difference. Not OEM droplinks but they wouldve made some change and they felt tight enough when i put them on. And the undertray hasnt been on for about 3 years so that can also be ruled out. Engine roll restrictor seems tight enough. Any way of checking the driveshaft play or anything like that??

[sparky Paul]

Been doing it for few weeks, changed the drop links and it made no difference, not even for a day. In the past when the ARBs have needed done it sounded more like the front end was falling off, especially over bumps. this time bumps dont meke a difference. Not OEM droplinks but they wouldve made some change and they felt tight enough when i put them on. And the undertray hasnt been on for about 3 years so that can also be ruled out. Engine roll restrictor seems tight enough. Any way of checking the driveshaft play or anything like that??

 

I'd still double check the drop links again, using the method I described above, it may show up something else on the suspension. Next port of call for me would be to check all the ARB bushes, followed by the remaining joints and bushes on the suspension. If you cannot replicate the noise by rocking the car body, you could have something loose, as seatkid suggests. Check the exhaust mount brackets, these are prone to breaking off the front pipe.

 

Anything to do with driveshafts/gearbox tends to give a different reaction depending upon load, acceleration, steering input, etc., and as you say it does it all the time, these things would be low down my suspect list. Not impossible of course, but I would say less likely than say a bush, etc.. Problems with engine mounts should be shown up by blipping the throttle under load.

[makil6]

Cheers for any info, going to have a good look with a mate over the weekend.

[Mirez]

lower ball joints would give this kind or noise, as would perished bushes on the arms.

[FIREFIGHTER]

had the same problem on a 02 galaxy and was the drop link on the off side very noisy but when changed heaven.

 

hope this helps :D

[makil6]

Problem solved!! And it wasn't the drop links........... First thought it was the track rod end but on further investigation found it to be the inner tie rod. Under the gaiter on the steering rack where the tie rod screws to the rack there is a ball and socket type joint that for some reason had stiffened up a bit. Causing it to jerk with every movement which then amplified right up the car. Gave it a good old spray and smeared some grease into the socket best i could and worked it about a little. Stuck it back together and......silence. Apart from the engine which on a mk1 with 150k on the clock is not the quietest.

Cheers, Just goes to show there is more to steering/suspension noises than droplinks.

[seatkid]

Well done!