Morris Minor Owners Club

I was just wondering...

Can a damper produce a clonk?

I have a clonk in my lhs suspension at the front, and only when going over bumps, or on when braking.

I have replaced all trunnions, everything is greased.

Which leaves only the old Armstrong lever arm damper...

Any ideas?

What condition are the bushes in?
Have you got bump stops?
Checked the oil in the damper?

I replaced brakes completely, that gave a terrible judder because the bushes were shot. Replaced them which got rid of the judder, now have a horrifying CLONK if i hit a pothole due to the fact haven't got bumpstops yet

The clonk could well be the damper but mine only did it when going over bumps. The clonk I had on braking was caused by wear at the tie bar clevis (wishbone end). I drilled the clevis and rod out slightly larger and fitted a suitable bolt and the problem went away.

Make sure the bolts holding the dampers to the bulkhead are tight.

Wouldn't except a 'clonk' from damper - is there any noise when you bounce the car on the supension ? Maybe eye-bolt bushes -or even eye-bolt loose in chassis leg ?

Most likely tie rod fork holes elongated, loose or missing distance washer between tie rod fork and wishbone. The fact it does it under braking is the main clue. Do check those damper mounting bolts though, if they strip a thread it's a pig to sort.

I will have a look at those washers, never thought of those!

I once had a knock on sharp braking that turned out to be the damper. it had too much endfloat on its pivot bearing. try jacking the car up on the lower arm so ther is no tension on the rebound stop then feel for any play in the suspension components. dont jack it on the chassis as the spring will hold it in tension & you wont feel any play if there is any

If that was so - wouldn't oil be hosing out of the damper at the pivot ?