Front end clunk

[Swiftly]

I have a clunk sound from driver’s side front which I can feel slightly through the steering . I only hear it at very low speeds and over bumpy roads. You don’t hear it all the time either which is the puzzler and car handles fine otherwise. I was wondering if it is the strut brace which needs tightening. If so does anyone know what torque they should be tighten to? If it isn't the strut brace I would appreciate any other suggestions to try

 

[mr wilks]

I have a clunk sound from driver’s side front which I can feel slightly through the steering . I only hear it at very low speeds and over bumpy roads. You don’t hear it all the time either which is the puzzler and car handles fine otherwise. I was wondering if it is the strut brace which needs tightening. If so does anyone know what torque they should be tighten to? If it isn't the strut brace I would appreciate any other suggestions to try

sounds like the old favourite control arm bushes / A,R bar bushes .
worse case ( as mine was when i bought it ) you can grab hold of front wheels at 3 & 9 & physically move them or maybe just one on the axle .
or try jacking car up & doing same to see if there is any play

 

[Jembo]

Ball joint?

 

[Dav the wheel nut]

The torque settings are 35nm / 28f/lb
Mine needed tightening even after I used those settings.
If it needs tightening you usually get a clunk when the car is on lock.
What about a cracked spring?

 

[Swiftly]

Car has only done 22K. The noise is hard to describe but sounds like a hollow clunk, can happen when either driving in a straight line or cornering. I drive on quite a few cobbled roads in Edinburgh, this is when I hear and feel it most at round 20 mph, but can be heard on just other patched up roads. Car is covered under AUC warranty, so might need to book it in if it isn't a simple quick fix.

The torque settings are 35nm / 28f/lb
Mine needed tightening even after I used those settings.
If it needs tightening you usually get a clunk when the car is on lock.
What about a cracked spring?

Thanks, will check and tighten them tomorrow.

No it doesn't sound like a spring as anything faster than 20mph over the cobbles the car is perfect, no suspension noise at all.

 

[Greeno]

Yup, i'd say a suspension bush too.

 

[Swiftly]

Well I checked the strut brace bolts and they are all seem nice and tight. Had a quick look at front spring and it seems ok. although to see it properly I will need to take the wheel off once it stops raining. Will get the car booked in for the stealer to check, hopefully its covered under warranty!

 

[mr wilks]

Well I checked the strut brace bolts and they are all seem nice and tight. Had a quick look at front spring and it seems ok. although to see it properly I will need to take the wheel off once it stops raining. Will get the car booked in for the stealer to check, hopefully its covered under warranty!

did you check for any play in the wheels at all ?

 

[Swiftly]

I will jack car up once it stops raining here and check for any play

 

[mr wilks]

I will jack car up once it stops raining here and check for any play

mine was so noticeable it could be felt with wheels on ground

 

[Swiftly]

Well jacked the car up, checked the wheel and no play felt. Also checked the spring, that seems ok too

Come to think of it , had a similar clunk noise on my previous car which was caused by excess play/worn suspension stabilising bar link. I am not that mechanical minded when it comes to cars, so not sure where or what to look for?

 

[mr wilks]

Well jacked the car up, checked the wheel and no play felt. Also checked the spring, that seems ok too

Come to think of it , had a similar clunk noise on my previous car which was caused by excess play/worn suspension stabilising bar link. I am not that mechanical minded when it comes to cars, so not sure where or what to look for?

next stop the indy then . do you have a place you use for servicing & repairs ? sure it will be something routine & easy to sort

 

[Swiftly]

The car has AUC warranty, not sure what the clunk/knock noise is or if it will be covered. Yes there is a good indy in Edinburgh I could use if push comes to shove. Trouble is if the mechanic wants to hear the clunk for himself there lies the problem as it is random and depends on road surface etc Might leave it for a few more weeks to see if noise becomes more frequent. I won't be doing many miles so should be okay.

 

[srhutch]

Try and find a but if road near the dealer that it does it on so you can demonstrate it to them.

 

[Swiftly]

Try and find a but if road near the dealer that it does it on so you can demonstrate it to them.

Good point, shouldnt be very difficult with the state of Edinburgh roads :lol:

 

[thorpyuk]

I had this, and it was just a case of tightening up the strut braces. Not sure of torque settings though

 

[Dreamer]

I had this on my old 3.0. I changed all the front bushes and drop links and it still didnt go. Shortly after i sold the car on.
I'm pretty sure it was the top mounts or shocks but never got round to investigating further.
It was quite tricky to replicate as you only heard it over rough ground going slowly.
Good luck!

 

[T2FFN]

I had this too. It was a front spring not sat properly, so every now and again it made a clunk when it shifted on the mount. Jacked up, twist it to sit right, back down carefully all gone

Sent from my HTC One X

 

[Swiftly]

I had this, and it was just a case of tightening up the strut braces. Not sure of torque settings though

Have already re torqued the strut braces, they were fine.

I had this on my old 3.0. I changed all the front bushes and drop links and it still didnt go. Shortly after i sold the car on.
I'm pretty sure it was the top mounts or shocks but never got round to investigating further.
It was quite tricky to replicate as you only heard it over rough ground going slowly.
Good luck!

The noise is hard to describe a sort of clunk/knock type sound and as you said it is hard to replicate. However this morning drove my usual route to work and at the place I can usually replicate it, I went round the block 4 times. Each time I could replicate the knock/clunk at around 22mph, which gave me a better opportunity to try and home in on the location of the sound. I can feel or might be imagining it a slight judder/vibration on the steering wheel, only slight though and only when I replicate the sound. The knock/clunk noise sounds to be coming from the steering column or area close by. Again the closest think to the sound I can describe is if you have a worn suspension stabilising link bar, sort of hollowish knock/clunk sound if you have every had one go you will know what I mean. Locating the noise is driving me nuts

 

[ricknau]

I just bought a 2006 3.0si and it has exactly all the sounds/symptoms you describe. Taking it to my local indy today. He's experienced with BMW and Porsche and very trustworthy. I'll report back on the outcome.