Sounds like front end loose, about to fall off.

E

enzed4

Veteran
 New Zealand
When driving slowly it feels a bit like driving over cobblestones, there's clunking and a 'loose' feel from the front of the car. I can feel it through the pedals and can hear it as well. It sounds like something large is loose.
Could it be engine mount bolts?
I've checked the strut braces and they seem tight (and there's no way they could be making that much noise).
Before I take it to the garage, any ideas what this might be?
Edit - could it be one of the Bilstein shocks? I would have thought they would have been inspected as part of the compliance checks after importing, but what would I know?
Thanks.
 
Wheel nuts? I'd start by jacking a front corner; taking a good grip of the road wheel then shaking it to feel for any play!

Good luck :thumbsup:
 
Crazy Harry said:
Wheel nuts? I'd start by jacking a front corner; taking a good grip of the road wheel then shaking it to feel for any play!

Good luck :thumbsup:
Click to expand...
I've just fitted different wheels so can guarantee it's not the bolts (and it was doing it with the old wheels as well).
I'm guessing the aftermarket shocks at this stage?

Thanks for the suggestion though.
 
-Tom- said:
drop links .. they can sound awful when they go.
Click to expand...

+1 for this (if you know what they are !)

nice and cheap (usually), and not terminal, which I guess you are concerned about having just bought it! :thumbsup:
 
You're a Senior Member, NZ4, with 1900+ posts over more than 4 years, and you think your front end is "loose" and "about to fall off" ...

:rofl:
 
Busterboo said:
You're a Senior Member, NZ4, with 1900+ posts over more than 4 years, and you think your front end is "loose" and "about to fall off" ...

:rofl:
Click to expand...
I'm a Telecommunications engineer, not a car mechanic. Ask me about erlangs or SIP headers, 802.11n Guard Intervals, or why -67dBm is optimal for VoIP. Don't ask me to describe a clunking noise coming from the car more technically :rofl: :P
And all 1900+ posts means is that I can blow hot air with the best of them.... :wink:
 
The car's booked into the garage tomorrow morning - I'll update this thread with the diagnosis.
And a free chocolate fish to anyone who has guessed correctly :thumbsup:
 
Anti-roll bar drop links
Track rod ends
Bottom ball joint
Wheel bearing
Front wishbone bush
Strut top mount


...are multiple answers allowed? :roll:
 
enzed4 said:
Busterboo said:
You're a Senior Member, NZ4, with 1900+ posts over more than 4 years, and you think your front end is "loose" and "about to fall off" ...

:rofl:
Click to expand...
I'm a Telecommunications engineer, not a car mechanic. Ask me about erlangs or SIP headers, 802.11n Guard Intervals, or why -67dBm is optimal for VoIP. Don't ask me to describe a clunking noise coming from the car more technically :rofl: :P
And all 1900+ posts means is that I can blow hot air with the best of them.... :wink:
Click to expand...

Well said.
 
ph001 said:
Anti-roll bar drop links
Track rod ends
Bottom ball joint
Wheel bearing
Front wishbone bush
Strut top mount


...are multiple answers allowed? :roll:
Click to expand...
You really want that choc fish, don't you? :lol:
Here, maybe this will keep you going until we find out:
chocfish.JPG
 
enzed4 said:
Busterboo said:
You're a Senior Member, NZ4, with 1900+ posts over more than 4 years, and you think your front end is "loose" and "about to fall off" ...

:rofl:
Click to expand...
I'm a Telecommunications engineer, not a car mechanic. Ask me about erlangs or SIP headers, 802.11n Guard Intervals, or why -67dBm is optimal for VoIP. Don't ask me to describe a clunking noise coming from the car more technically :rofl: :P
And all 1900+ posts means is that I can blow hot air with the best of them.... :wink:
Click to expand...

I used to work in comms in a previous life installing digital switches (Ericsson & gec) cabling to mdf etc.
After a while i moved to working on the power plants/back up batteries, including extension cabinets on working exchanges.
Interesting times :thumbsup:
Rob
 
ph001 said:
Strut top mount


...are multiple answers allowed? :roll:
Click to expand...

Looks like this might have been it. The garage said they tightened the strut mounts (left hand side) and the clunking has disappeared. I've only driven it around the block (the garage is very close to work), and it seems a lot better. Will reserve judgement until I've had some more time to drive it, but fingers crossed.
I got them to do a wheel alignment while they had it, as part of a voucher I had. They didn't provide any before/after readings so I have no idea if the ride will be any better, but I thought I'd better get it done as I've just fitted the 224's.

PM me your address ph001 and I'll send the fish :rofl: . Or you can enjoy the virtual one I posted earlier. I'm a man of my word... :thumbsup:
 
Update - well it isn't fixed. It still sounds like a bag of rocks when just rolling along (no throttle). I'm more and more convinced it's the suspension (Bilsteins) but I'm sure they checked it this morning.
What a faff having to get it to the garage again :x
* And no choc fish for ph001 * :P
 
And now after a weekend of driving it around, it doesn't feel like the suspension because it doesn't get worse when driving over any bumps or speed humps. It's most noticeable when driving slowly on any surface. I can feel it in the steering wheel and pedals, and can hear it.
I'll take it to work tomorrow and see if the garage can look at it again. Really want to get this resolved before Xmas break.
 
I had a clunking sound at low speed over rough surfaces and checked the brace/strut bars, they were both tight, but I gave the nuts a tweak and hey presto, no more clunking.
Worth a go.
 
I’m wondering if it’s had a wheel bearing change and the retaining nut isn’t up to specified torque or had it’s locking tab knocked in and so has worked loose.
 
firebobby said:
I had a clunking sound at low speed over rough surfaces and checked the brace/strut bars, they were both tight, but I gave the nuts a tweak and hey presto, no more clunking.
Worth a go.
Click to expand...
I've checked this (and tightened) twice - I don't think it's the strut brace. I could try removing it completely to test though, since I now have to wait until Friday before the garage can take another look at the car.
 
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