Clonking n/s front end

[Eddie Strohacker]

Scratching my head on this one. Car is a 987.1 Cayman that's developed a clonk over bumps & potholes from the n/s front wheel. But here's the thing, last year I treated it to new track rod ends, new control arms, new droplinks, new arb bushes & new strut mounts, so it should be tip top.

I've had all four wheels off & everything looks like it should so I'm wondering what I'm missing? Definitely no tins of beans in the front boot - which does catch people out!

[jeremyh1]

Dont know much about this car but have you had a good look at the top rubber mountings on the suspension struts I have had them split on other models but not be visibly obvious

[GreenV8S]

Eddie Strohacker said:

last year I treated it to new track rod ends, new control arms, new droplinks, new arb bushes & new strut mounts, so it should be tip top.

Presumably this problem wasn't present after you did all that work so something has changed in the meantime. Don't assume that the stuff you replaced last year is still all good.

[Eddie Strohacker]

GreenV8S said:

Presumably this problem wasn't present after you did all that work so something has changed in the meantime. Don't assume that the stuff you replaced last year is still all good.

Yes, it's just come on in the past week. As I say, checked everything out at the weekend, no broken spring, all bolts torqued to spec etc. I realise parts can fail, the prime candidate & easiest being the droplinks I suppose but was wondering whether the experienced eyes here spot anything I've missed. Also ruled out the engine mount which is a weak point on these cars.

[LarJammer]

Its probably a worn 'tuning fork' bush. Those are the arms that run front to back and have a rose joint type arrangement at one end. They usually knock at low speed over sharp bumps. You really need to remove it and stick it in a vice to check for play.

[Eddie Strohacker]

Two new ones last September, so I'd be disappointed!

[bearman68]

One of our common diagnostic techniques for a problem like this:-

Jack the car up so the front wheel is about 2 inches off the ground.
Get a mate underneath the car. (safely does it)
Put a long bar underneath the wheel and lift the wheel as sharply as you can a few times.

You'll usually see or feel the culprit.

[Eddie Strohacker]

I think that's probably the way forward in the absence of anything obviously missed. I had the wheels off & did a visual inspection, checked the torque on all the bolts but pushed for time and with a ten year old to entertain, didn't get the pry bar out. Thanks for all the suggestions, fellers, much appreciated.