Clunking after replacing my front shock

GOM · Post by **GOM** » Sun Oct 17, 2021 5:18 pm

Now then,

I have replaced the front shocks on my 2004 e85 and after about 15 miles I got a rather loud clunking noise which doesn’t happen unless I hit a pot hole or speed bump. Once I took it over 50+ the noise disappeared.

I have had the front wheels off and there is nothing loose at all. The only thing I have found is the screw that secures the disc brake in place has been bodged and is not holding the disc as secure as it should be, however once the wheel is torqued up, there is no movement at all. So I am at a bit of a loss as to what could be causing the noise.

Any thoughts/advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

GOM

bigwinn · Post by **bigwinn** » Sun Oct 17, 2021 5:25 pm

The disc holding screw wouldn’t affect that as the wheel keeps the assembly on

How good/bad were the top mounts?

GOM · Post by **GOM** » Sun Oct 17, 2021 5:31 pm

Everything has been replaced with new, hence my confusion why the noise appears.

Chris_D · Post by **Chris_D** » Sun Oct 17, 2021 5:37 pm

Had this after replacing shocks and top-mounts. Turned out to be my front ARB bushes. They were shot. Replaced. Cured the clunk.
Could also be that your towers have ballooned and you have a bad fit of the top mounts. I put some extra reinforcement plates in mine to prevent ballooning.

GOM · Post by **GOM** » Sun Oct 17, 2021 5:44 pm

I will check arb bushes. I should have mentioned it has only appeared since the n/s shock was done.

bigwinn · Post by **bigwinn** » Sun Oct 17, 2021 5:54 pm

I guess if it’s all new components and not the arb, check the spring is seated well and not fouling etc

GOM · Post by **GOM** » Sun Oct 17, 2021 6:34 pm

Cheers bigwinn, I have just checked the arb and when the roll bar is pushed up with a jack, there is a sizeable gap between the bar and arb.I presume that is not how it should be, so I will swap out the arb and see how it goes. Otherwise I will need to admit defeat and take it to the garage.

enuff_zed · Post by **enuff_zed** » Sun Oct 17, 2021 6:55 pm

I would also suggest double checking the nut on top of the shock that holds it into the top mount is fully tight.
I did some a few months back and had knocking. Literally a half turn more on one of those nuts sorted it.
They are quite difficult to get fully torqued down as the piston tends to turn with the nut.

dhobbs · Post by **dhobbs** » Sun Oct 17, 2021 7:21 pm

I agree with enuf_zed, when I replaced my springs recently I noticed the top nut wasn't fully tightened down and I was experiencing the occasional clunk.
All torqued down now and is good with no noises.

GOM · Post by **GOM** » Mon Oct 18, 2021 10:45 am

Aw good point about the nut. I will take a look at it later when my open socket is delivered. Hopefully that will sort it out.

Zedebee · Post by **Zedebee** » Mon Oct 18, 2021 12:18 pm

Also check that the nuts on the diagonal strut braces have not come loose.

GOM · Post by **GOM** » Mon Oct 18, 2021 1:18 pm

Gentlemen there was only a 1/4 turn at max left in the bolt and after a quick test drive, the noise has disappeared.

Many thanks for your speedy responses and what turned out t be a straightforward resolution.

Cheers once again

Paul

enuff_zed · Post by **enuff_zed** » Mon Oct 18, 2021 2:34 pm

GOM wrote: ↑Mon Oct 18, 2021 1:18 pm Gentlemen there was only a 1/4 turn at max left in the bolt and after a quick test drive, the noise has disappeared.

Many thanks for your speedy responses and what turned out t be a straightforward resolution.

Cheers once again

Paul

Well there you go!
Lovely an easy tweak.
Also thanks for making me not the only one to do that.

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