Clunk - Not Drop Links Or Roll Restrictor Bar?

[Yozza]

Hi Folks,

 

I have had a 'clunk' ever since owning this car, I can only hear it when I drive over bumps or pot holes.  I have jacked up the drivers side and tried wobbling engine to no avail so I don't suspect the roll restrictor bar (and I replaced the drop links).  However, I was able to replicate the sound when I gave the wheel (whilst jacked up) a good thump at 3 or 9 o' clock (position on the wheel as you look at it, not the time of day :-))

 

From this my thoughts are tracking, maybe a worn TRE?  Any other suggestions worth investigating whilst the car is up on the stands (again)?

 

I noticed the wishbone bushes are not vulcanized all the way around their circumference to the surrounding metalwork, is this how they're made so the are free to flex up and down or have I got a split bush in disguise?  Anyone got a pic showing this level of detail?

 

I also noticed that the clearance between the top shock absorber cup and the bodywork is about 1/2", is this excessive clearance, possibly  a worn shock?  It is a firm ride, but I've not driven another Galaxy to compare.

 

Thanks,

Yozza

Edited July 15, 2013 by Yozza

[seatkid]

Check ARB mountings/bushes and track rod ends.

[Yozza]

Cheers, I'll have a gander.

[viperclive]

I had a real annoying clunk, it turned out to be roll restrictor bar bushes, although they may look ok in fact they had gone solid, easy job to change. The play on top of struts is how the car was designed, however when I changed my struts before putting top hats on I made thick rubber washed to take up play, now I have no thumping going over sleeping policemen. The wishbone bushes are designed like that which I don't like as they part to easily, I now have solid ones do should last for years, hope I've helped.

[Yozza]

You have, more to inspect once the motor is up on the stands (again).  Thanks, :0

[xavier]

I remember taking a peugeot 405 for a test drive (prospective purchase). Horrendous clunk as it went over a pothole. Discovered when in the engine bay the battery clamp was missing. Walked, no ran away from that heap!

[sparky Paul]

As said above, gap under top cups is quite normal, and is required as the top rubber mount pitches at full lock, tilting the top cup.

 

Knocking from the front is almost always droplinks, so double check those, and that they are tight. Next things to check are ARB bushes, then the other suspension joints.

 

To check the ARB links, on level ground, grab hold of the roof rail and rock the car. If you can hear the knocking, get someone to grip each ball joint underneath tightly in turn. When the knocking stops, problem located.

[Yozza]

top tip - thanks