Puffs from air from front suspension.

[Anonymous]

Not the easiest thing to describe so bear with me...

Driving around the streets of Edinburgh with the roof down I hear puffs of air coming from the front suspension. It sounds like short hisses every time I go over a bump of any kind (even driving over a pebble!). It's pretty constant, and particularly bad when driving over cobbles.

Is this something I should be worried about? I've not had any other cars that make this kind of noise. I've got 5 months left on a warranty so would be keen to investigate asap.

Any ideas? Or is this perfectly normal?

Thanks!

 

[z4pilot]

Have you lowered it at all? Could be the tyres catching on the front inner arch liners. Easy to check as they will have rubbed a clean spot just behind where the bumper joins the wing.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the reply. The car hasn't been lowered at all and there's quite a bit of clearance so doubt that would be an issue but I shall double-check.

I've had a read on some forums that it's normal as the air is forced out of the shock, but it just seems strange it's such a constant noise and not just when I drive over speed bumps and the like

 

[hopz121]

How old are the shocks? Sounds to me like they are past in and need replacing

 

[MrPT]

When did you last have an MOT? It sounds like you might have at least one weeping damper, but this is something that's pretty easy to catch in an MOT because it creates a fine mist of oil.

Central Edinburgh has some pretty rubbish roads at the moment, that's for sure!

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks. It was MOTD 2 months ago when I bought the car. I'm pretty sure it's been doing it since day 1

 

[Swiftly]

Certainly not normal, from what you describe it sounds like a leaking damper to me. That said, if it's recently had an MOT, then it should have been spotted.

 

[Ewazix]

This may be nothing to worry about, the unit works by piston action compressing fluid through an aperture and I'm guessing that's what you are hearing. If it's leaking there will be evidence of fluid weeping and eventually will lead to sloppy bounce control. If there are no leaks and the suspension is working fine I doubt it's a problem.

 

[Anonymous]

Ok thanks all

No oil residue anywhere and nothing sounds like it's empty of oil so hoping it's ok. Might take it in to the garage for a look thought to be sure.

Cheers

 

[biojo]

I noticed this on the harsher low speed on speed bumps, but presumed this was because they had gas in to make them rebound?

 

[Anonymous]

Had the car up on the ramp today and it looks like the shock has been weeping. Whoever MOTd the car need shot and they didn't highlight this or dodgy ball joints and bushes!

 

[MrPT]

Had the car up on the ramp today and it looks like the shock has been weeping. Whoever MOTd the car need shot and they didn't highlight this or dodgy ball joints and bushes!

Yep, muppets. Bushes etc maybe forgivable, depending on how bad they are.

Good news is when you get it all sorted it will feel like a new car.