Suspension noises

[jons_s3]

I took my S1 for a fairly long drive last weekend to see the motor show and noticed a knocking/banging noise from the rear suspension towards the end of the journey. It is particularly noticeable on bumpy roads and I can induce it by compressing the rear suspension. What's odd is that it doesn't seem to do it at the start of a journey, only after I've been driving for a fair while.

I had the dampers replaced about 18 months ago, so it's unlikely to be one of those. Does anyone have any suggestions? Ball joint perhaps?

Any advice would be appreciated!

[MiniDiva]

If it's definitely not the shocks doing the classic snooker ball trick, then definitely worth checking Ball joint, suspension wishbone bushes & toe links.

What shocks are they?

Edited by MiniDiva on Friday 1st August 15:01

[jons_s3]

Thanks for the Advice, I'll take a look this weekend. I've just running standard Konis.

[jondude]

MiniDiva is right about Konis and snooker balls. I'm quite used to the sound now, but sometimes you go over a small but firm bump in the road and the noise makes you feel like the car has broken into pieces.

Character

[ludo]

jons_s3 said:

I took my S1 for a fairly long drive last weekend to see the motor show and noticed a knocking/banging noise from the rear suspension towards the end of the journey. It is particularly noticeable on bumpy roads and I can induce it by compressing the rear suspension. What's odd is that it doesn't seem to do it at the start of a journey, only after I've been driving for a fair while.

I had the dampers replaced about 18 months ago, so it's unlikely to be one of those. Does anyone have any suggestions? Ball joint perhaps?

Any advice would be appreciated!

Mine was doing this (clumking noises in warm weather when the car was hot) and it was the toe links. ISTR reading that the heat from the cat/exaust cooks the grease out of the inboard joints after a while (or something like that).

[mgbond]

ludo said:

Mine was doing this (clumking noises in warm weather when the car was hot) and it was the toe links. ISTR reading that the heat from the cat/exaust cooks the grease out of the inboard joints after a while (or something like that).

That sounds suspiciously like the problem - it was a very hot day last weekend! Probably worth a look - do you know if it's a difficult job?

[jons_s3]

Incidentally, that was me replying and not realising my friend was still logged in to PH!

[Moospeed]

MiniDiva said:

If it's definitely not the shocks doing the classic snooker ball trick, then definitely worth checking Ball joint, suspension wishbone bushes & toe links.

What shocks are they?

Edited by MiniDiva on Friday 1st August 15:01

What's the snooker ball trick ?

Twice I've had what I thought were suspicious suspension noises, first time it was the passenger seat slightly loose, second time it was the bootlid not quite shut. Do I have to check the car for loose snooker balls now ?

[jondude]

Edited by MiniDiva on Friday 1st August 15:01

[/quote]
What's the snooker ball trick ?



All you gotta do is drop a snooker ball on a table from about 20 inches high. The noise it makes as it hits the table is the same noise Konis can make when you hit some rough ripples in the road.

[Thorburn]

Moospeed said:

What's the snooker ball trick ?

Twice I've had what I thought were suspicious suspension noises, first time it was the passenger seat slightly loose, second time it was the bootlid not quite shut. Do I have to check the car for loose snooker balls now ?

No trick, just the noise of the Koni shocks is akin to that of snooker balls hitting each other

[Moospeed]

Oh great - another problem I haven't experienced yet (well aware its only a matter of time)