'clack' noise

Post by **AJT** » Sun Apr 12, 2009 8:46 pm

Hi All,

You all did such a fine job of helping me sort out my long running overheating / pinking problem I'm hoping that you can help with a bigger & long running mystery.

Every time I go over a sharp bump (say a low manhole cover) their is a sharp 'clack' noise from the front right suspension, worse when on a bend. So far I've replaced:

The steering rack, shock absorbers, track rod ends, top & bottom trunnions, eye bolt bushes, checked the master cylinder bolts are the right way around, replaced the bump stop...all in an attempt to solve this (though to be fair, I've been gradually restoring the car).

I've had the car for six years, it passes the MOT every year, yet still this sharp 'clack' noise...several minor pros have taken a look and offered no opinion. I'm wondering if the wheel bearing could the culprit? seem to have changed everything else - the noise is so obvious it'can't possibly be right.

Standard wheels with 155 tyres.

Thanks
Alan

Post by **aupickup** » Sun Apr 12, 2009 8:51 pm

have you checked the tie bar mounting and surrounding area

Post by **toginthemog** » Sun Apr 12, 2009 8:59 pm

Hi this might sound daft but could it possible be something like the bonnet pull rod as its on that side or even something like bonnet rubber stop door hinges or even bumper iron it could be something as simple as needs tightning as you have changed nearly everthing that I would suggest

Post by **AJT** » Sun Apr 12, 2009 9:23 pm

I've replaced the tie bar bushes and bonnet rubber stops, checked the bumper is tight (it was off recently to do the timing chain so ensured it's all sound): door hinges are fine (new 'A' posts - but made this noise before I changed these); chassis is totally solid.

Really does sounds 'suspension' related - do wheel bearings 'clack' (sounds like two pebbles being hit together) ever?

Very frustrating as have got the car near perfect now.

Thanks

Post by **aupickup** » Sun Apr 12, 2009 9:27 pm

o what about the bolt that goes through the tie bar and tie bar yolk at the back where the the thin wishbone is, is this nice and tight fit

Post by **toginthemog** » Sun Apr 12, 2009 9:34 pm

I have not heard of them clacking but someone else may have if you jack it up and spin it and its not Rumbling and theres no play in it I cant think it would be bearings I have almost the same on one of my vans been like it 4 years and like you changed it all but still does it I just ignore it now as its got 330 thousand on the clock and its due to retire but I understand you want it right

Post by **aupickup** » Sun Apr 12, 2009 9:56 pm

my noise i had for about a year was the tie bar yolk bolt that had worn, replaced with a new one and noise gone

Post by **aupickup** » Sun Apr 12, 2009 9:57 pm

would not have thought it would be bearings

Post by **d_harris** » Sun Apr 12, 2009 10:03 pm

Cant immediatly think of anything that might clack when going round a corner.

Are you certain that its the front right? Just wondering if it could be something at the rear suspension, or possibly the shock absorbers?

Post by **AJT** » Sun Apr 12, 2009 10:11 pm

Thanks for all your feedback: it's def at the front right rather than back - only happens as the front right hits a pothole - don't think it's the tie bar since I've had all that apart & checked / replaced. It's a bit of a mystery: it's less about the noise and more of a concern that something should vital could be 'off'

Post by **d_harris** » Sun Apr 12, 2009 10:12 pm

everythings greased up?

Post by **AJT** » Sun Apr 12, 2009 10:13 pm

certainly is

Post by **AJT** » Sun Apr 12, 2009 10:13 pm

certainly is

Post by **d_harris** » Sun Apr 12, 2009 10:15 pm

Doubly so by the looks of it!

So is it only occuring when the suspensions unloads and loads again?

Post by **Matt** » Sun Apr 12, 2009 10:35 pm

You have got the rebound rubber in place? The one the damper would hit when the wheel drops

Post by **Peetee** » Sun Apr 12, 2009 11:35 pm

Is the torsion bar secured correctly at the rear?
There is a sholdered washer that should centre it in the crossmember. This can sit wrong and cause the torsion bar to appear to be properly located (especially if that area is smothered in underseal) but leaves it to snatch under heavy load.

Second thought is are the damper bolts tight?

Post by **Mogwai** » Mon Apr 13, 2009 12:11 am

Whats the condition of the chassis around the eyebolt. my sisters minor was making some horrible clacking noises due to corrosion & patches in this area that was an excessive case but could be something like a broken spotweld if all looks well on yours

Post by **tortron** » Mon Apr 13, 2009 3:01 am

i was beginning to go nuts trying to find the knocking comming from the front right suspension.

turns out the horn was flopping about
checked for loose components?

Post by **toomorecol** » Mon Apr 13, 2009 8:03 am

Had a similar problem, turned out to be brake master cylinder bolts in wrong way, they caught the torsion bar on potholes and it transmitted the sound such that it seemed to come from the front suspension.

Post by **sirrom** » Mon Apr 13, 2009 8:33 am

Yes I would agree with aupickup. I had a similar problem. The bushes on the eye bolt were very worn and going over a course chip seal or road marker I would have this metalic clunk sound. There has been threads on this subject on how to do this on here before.