Front End Knocking Noises

[rushy]

Hi guys,

 

My gal has developed a couple of knocking noises, but wish to find out if what I think the probs are are common and easy to sort.

 

First off, I changed the drop links about 5 months ago, so I know it shouldn't be them.

 

Noise one seems to be coming from passenger side top susspension mount??

 

Noise two seems to be coming from drivers side track rod end.

 

Today, I got my misses to waggle the steering wheel from side to side with the engine on to try and locate the noises, hence why I think they are coming from the places I mentioned.

 

Both noises are evedent when driving, but are more irretating and promenent when driving at slow speeds.

 

The noise from passenger side has been doing it for a couple of weeks while drivers side started on friday night.

 

Any help would be great.

 

Thanks

[Masked Marauder]

Well it does sound drop-link orientated to me! I know you changed them 5 months ago, but I did mine in August and the driver's side one is knocking a little already. I swear it is the amount of speed humps round here!

[seatkid]

Noise one seems to be coming from passenger side top susspension mount??

 

Noise two seems to be coming from drivers side track rod end.

Well, both of these items are known common failures. However I dont think you would hear a track rod end....

 

The way to test track rod end (you probably know) is to tug/push the tyre in the L/R direction and check for play in the joint. Any play will be an MOT failure (both mine were failed with what looked like less than a mm play at the tyre!!

 

Checking the ARB links involves a hefty tugging at both ends in the direction accross the car. Again, any play (even less than a mm) and theyre gone and will sound bad.

 

Try a search on suspension mount, this has been covered by others before......

[rushy]

Jacked front up this morning and gave the wheels a wiggle, left to right and top to bottom. LH seems fine, RH theres a lot of play coming from trackrod end, and when I'm moving wheel left to right, you can hear the knocking noise.

 

Thanks for your advice, am going to try and fit the new TRE at somepoint today or tomorrow.

[Masked Marauder]

Jacked front up this morning and gave the wheels a wiggle, left to right and top to bottom. LH seems fine, RH theres a lot of play coming from trackrod end, and when I'm moving wheel left to right, you can hear the knocking noise.

 

Thanks for your advice, am going to try and fit the new TRE at somepoint today or tomorrow.

Note that they are handed, and be sure that you buy the correct one for the side it is needed on.

[rushy]

Have changed the track rod end but nothing has changed. Still a knocking noise and hasn't even gone away slightly.

 

The reason I think the top mounts have gone is because when the car is jacked up at the front, if you try a pull back and forth on the shockers from under wheel arch, there seems to be some play.

 

If I have the car on the flat and bounce up and down to try and replicate speed humps and bumps, there's no noise!!!

 

If I have the car static but with engine running, there's a slight knock if you waggle the steering wheel slightly.

 

Any ideas as the sound is doing my head in!!!

[Justice]

It could be slight play in the steering rack or bottom ball joint wear, I had a slight knocking noise on my Sharan but becouse I replaced everything that could be replaced on the front end it could have been anything so a bit piontless me typing this reply. :lol:

[Guest vr6galaxy]

so a bit piontless me typing this reply. :lol:

Nothing new there then :D

[Rallim]

It would be wise to double check the drop links, I went round exactly the same loop on my Audi 80, changed drop links - all ok for a while, then knocking noise again. I didnt even consider the drop links again - changed ball joints, strut-top mounts, wishbone mounts (actually changed the wishbones as I bent the original getting the mounts out - doh!) - then in last minute frustration I had it back on the ramps, busy pulling at the suspension etc etc , and 'click' - I had pulled on the drop link - it was knackered - <6months old .

 

Beware the 'top mounts', when jacked up they are resting on the top cup and not in the 'crown' of the suspension and therefore may well move.

 

Gordon