Slight Front End Knocking / Tapping

sd1800 · 22-01-2010, 09:28 AM

Hoping someone may have come across this before and would be able to point me in the right direction. I have noticed recently that I am getting a distinct yet subtle knocking/tapping from my front end when going over even small bumps in the road. I can really only feel it through the footrest since that isn't insulated by carpet and is bolted straight into the chassis? Any idea what it may be?

On a side note, the front end has also started occasionaly clunking when I do a hard right turn or do a slower U-turn but close to full lock. Common problem? Any ideas?

Car has 108000km but not entirely sure what has been changed in the past as I've only had it for a few months. I have put a recond steering rack about 3 months ago however.

lofty · 22-01-2010, 09:42 AM

I had that. It was my swaybar. Right at the end there's an eye that bolts to the link thingy. The nut can work loose.

sd1800 · 22-01-2010, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lofty

I had that. It was my swaybar. Right at the end there's an eye that bolts to the link thingy. The nut can work loose.

Thanks.

Is that the clunk or the vibrations?

lofty · 22-01-2010, 09:58 AM

Sorry, that was the clunkety-clunk on low speed bumps.

sd1800 · 22-01-2010, 10:50 AM

Cheers, I'll jack it up and have a look over the weekend.

Anyone got any ideas about the clunk coming from front left wheel when turning right?

Mr Hardware · 22-01-2010, 11:10 AM

Ball Joints Brother!

sd1800 · 22-01-2010, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr Hardware

Ball Joints Brother!

Yeah I had the ball joints checked about 3 months back and they were fine(the problem was the rack) however I guess alot can happen in 5000kms. I'll give it another look. Thanks for the advice boys. I'll keep the thread updated if I find out what it is.

Mr Hardware · 22-01-2010, 11:57 AM

Quote:

about 3 months back and they were fine however I guess alot can happen in 5000kms

Sure can buddy. AU ball joints are notorious for being fine one day, buggered the next. And make sure they check upper and lower ball joints.

sd1800 · 21-03-2010, 06:44 PM

Thought I would be best updating this for future notice. The knocking on the footrest was a rooted swaybar rubber.

However the clunk is still there. I asked him to look over the front end of anything else that would be causing the clunk and he couldn't find anything other than the swaybar.

Mr Hardware, would it not be common practice to check the UPPER ball joint?

bodes-sh · 21-03-2010, 08:34 PM

i'd say ball joints too. i get clunking in the front under brakes when turning, it's fine when not on the brakes. it is a lot less now with 17's on it, but still does it. the ball joints on mine look pretty average, but i haven't got around to getting them done yet...

sd1800 · 21-03-2010, 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bodes-sh

i'd say ball joints too. i get clunking in the front under brakes when turning, it's fine when not on the brakes. it is a lot less now with 17's on it, but still does it. the ball joints on mine look pretty average, but i haven't got around to getting them done yet...

Thing is I had my mechanic go over the obvious like ball joints, rubbers e.t.c. (he found the issue with swaybar rubber). He said everything else was fine so the only thing I can think of is perhaps he didn't look at upper ball joints as it's usually the lower that fail, isn't it?

Also, theres no play in the front wheels when it's jacked up.

EDIT: To clear up any confusion the issue that remains is:
"On a side note, the front end has also started occasionaly clunking when I do a hard right turn or do a slower U-turn but close to full lock."

However since I posted that back in Jan, over time I have gotten used to when it will do it. I can guarentee if the car has been sitting for >2hours as soon as I jump in and do a low speed right turn it will clunk. From there on it will only do it on the rare occasion until I park the car for another few hours at which time it will do it again. It also DOESN"T have to be full lock like I thought previously, it can just be a slight right turn but always at low speed.

**Whoosha** · 21-03-2010, 09:54 PM

Top ball joints clunked from new they had a recall on them on early S2s,(bodge grease or something like it ) very hard to pick just with normal inspection. bottom joints just tended to fall out and chew your rotor up

:

frd906 · 21-03-2010, 11:28 PM

what about the top control arms bushes, ??

xrford · 23-03-2010, 11:20 AM

did you definately replace the swaybar links? mines been clunking away for quite a while now, ordered the nolethane links just waiting for them to come in.
You may not think therye rooted from visual inspection but id be replacing them first then see what happens
$50 on ebay or try your local parts supplier
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/2-Front-Sway-...item27ad454cd7