PROBLEM SOLVED: Rear clunk was a ball joint.

[Dog Biscuit]

Someone ran in to the back of me and a week or so later I developed a clunk from what sounds like the rear driver side of the car, in or under the boot. Almost feels as if something is being "rolled across" underneath.

It's most noticeable when I turn left with loading to the right, maybe over bumps a little, but not so noticeable.

Car had the dent repair done at the bodyshop, but clunk still there, so am assuming bodywork and loose fittings were taken care of.

Would this be the infamous rear spring? Having read about it through the search facility there is some debate about whether to do both or not. Thoughts?

Will likely contact Emtech of Salisbury, but interested to know of any Bournemouth outfits if Emtech have a long wait to get in. Any ideas on costs for 2014 and potential damage I am doing in the meantime?

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[-Tom-]

Spring, but could have bent an exhaust hanger or similar, and what you could be hearing is part of the system hitting the underside of the car.

Once had someone bump into at uni in my 206, no visual damage what so ever. Lady fluttered her eye lids and I went on. Fee weeks later - exhaust blowing - had bent one of the entry pipes into a box! So I'd check your 'zorst!

 

[Adamski]

I had a rear spring go on my roady, no tell tale signs at all. No bumps, clunks or noises at all.

Have a look under the car. It's usually easy to spot a snapped spring. Taking the wheel off makes it much easier to spot


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[Dog Biscuit]

Thanks guys. Possibly not a spring if it's clunking then! Am off to see Andy at Emtech on Saturday so he can give it a check over and let me know what next.

 

[Yorkie Z]

I'd say it's your diff mate. Do you normally get the clunk and low speed 1-2nd gear change

 

[Dog Biscuit]

I'd say it's your diff mate. Do you normally get the clunk and low speed 1-2nd gear change

Gear change seems fine so far and only time I notice it is when I load the right rear wheel when I turn left into side roads - never when I turn right though. "Slight" left turns don't seem to be as prominent?

 

[Dog Biscuit]

UPDATE: Problem fixed

Emtech of Salisbury assessed the problem and couldn't reproduce any clunk when off the ground due to the lack of load needed to go through it. They did see some minor evidence of rust leaking from around the ball joint area at the OSR and they were right.

Within was a bolt that has a groove to align/locate something that I'm unaware of - it was twisted instead of true and that's why it was clunking as it moved. Parts replaced were a camber arm, rubber mount, eccentric bolt & washer, hex nut. Alignment done afterwards as well.

Clunk gone and car feels great. Another great job from Andy and Steve and well worth the drive up from Bournemouth and the loan car provided.

 

[Lewis_P]

Hi Dog Biscuit,

Can I ask how much it was to replace the rear ball joints? I seem to have a clonking sound from the rear of my Z4 coupe. Smooth surfaces are fine, just when I go over rough surfaces at slower speeds you can hear it.

Cheers

Lewis

 

[Dog Biscuit]

Hi Lewis,

Including all of the alignment checks it was about £400, £300 without alignment if I remember.

Not sure if others might tell you it's a different problem to mine though?

Marc

 

[Lewis_P]

Dog Biscuit, Hi Marc, thanks for the reply. I am going to get mine checked out in the next couple of weeks so will let you know what it was. Cheers Lewis