Any ideas on what this noise might be please? Vauxhall Corsa
Discussion
Hi
My car has been making a strange noise for some time… It tends to happen more on country roads. But then again, I don’t do many miles and most of what I do do is on country roads.
It sounds like it’s coming from behind the front foot-wells, or perhaps a bit higher than that. Really tough to tell. And also tough to tell what side it is on. Sorry to be so vague!
I took it to a couple of garages, both of who put it on the ramp and couldn’t see anything. But they didn’t hear the noise because one didn’t want to drive the car out to have a listen, and the other garage wasn’t near any country roads and it therefore didn’t happen for them. One of the garages said they didn’t think it was suspension related.
Here’s a link to a recording of the sound. It’s more prominent around the middle and in the second half. It’s really tough to describe, so hopefully the recording will be enough, but happy to try to describe it if it would be helpful., or take more recordings. Or for that matter, to answer any other questions to help identify.
Would hugely appreciate any ideas. I need to make a long journey in a few weeks time but am reluctant to take it on the motorway until I know what the problem is.
Cheers
Audio:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Uuzpt2DeCm62APx00...
My car has been making a strange noise for some time… It tends to happen more on country roads. But then again, I don’t do many miles and most of what I do do is on country roads.
It sounds like it’s coming from behind the front foot-wells, or perhaps a bit higher than that. Really tough to tell. And also tough to tell what side it is on. Sorry to be so vague!
I took it to a couple of garages, both of who put it on the ramp and couldn’t see anything. But they didn’t hear the noise because one didn’t want to drive the car out to have a listen, and the other garage wasn’t near any country roads and it therefore didn’t happen for them. One of the garages said they didn’t think it was suspension related.
Here’s a link to a recording of the sound. It’s more prominent around the middle and in the second half. It’s really tough to describe, so hopefully the recording will be enough, but happy to try to describe it if it would be helpful., or take more recordings. Or for that matter, to answer any other questions to help identify.
Would hugely appreciate any ideas. I need to make a long journey in a few weeks time but am reluctant to take it on the motorway until I know what the problem is.
Cheers
Audio:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Uuzpt2DeCm62APx00...
Hi
Many thanks for the replies.
I've just been checking out a YT video (about Corsa D and drop links) and it sounds the same as one of our sounds, although I think we may have more than one noise! Also, if I bounce the car I hear a knock, as per 1:01 on the video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGXJ73BvIxY
I've also just checked my last MOT certificate, and have these as advisories:
- Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement NSF
- Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened NSF
Could something be going on with a combination of all these things? To be honest, I don't now much about cars so don't know how related all these things are, or even if some things are the same but under different names!
Thanks again, any further thoughts much appreciated.
Many thanks for the replies.
I've just been checking out a YT video (about Corsa D and drop links) and it sounds the same as one of our sounds, although I think we may have more than one noise! Also, if I bounce the car I hear a knock, as per 1:01 on the video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGXJ73BvIxY
I've also just checked my last MOT certificate, and have these as advisories:
- Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement NSF
- Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened NSF
Could something be going on with a combination of all these things? To be honest, I don't now much about cars so don't know how related all these things are, or even if some things are the same but under different names!
Thanks again, any further thoughts much appreciated.
Hi
Back again! To recap the car was making two different noises. We've had some work done and it has cured one of the noises, but not the other.
Here's what happened. I decided in the end to book it in for an early MOT with a different garage, to make sure there was nothing hugely expensive to do on the car, and at the same time to get the noises sorted.
However, drove it home and one of the noises is still there. It's the main noise you can hear in the above recording. I've done some new recordings and will put a link below. The first one is pretty good but have included the others too in case they are helpful.
It has since been back to the garage. They've had another look and took it for a drive to listen. They say there is nothing obvious, and so they are suspecting the noise is the front shock absorber. They said it is hard to visually tell or to test if this is worn, and seeing as everything else looks fine, all points to this being the problem. Will be around £200 all in.
I wondered what you guys think about it being that please? Does it sound likely? The noise seems to be coming from the area behind the pedals, but tbh it's tough to tell exactly.
Any replies would be a massive help, as the bills are building up which is fine if the issue gets sorted but not if it keeps having to go back for more work.
Huge thanks
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1dpJLchprNW...
Back again! To recap the car was making two different noises. We've had some work done and it has cured one of the noises, but not the other.
Here's what happened. I decided in the end to book it in for an early MOT with a different garage, to make sure there was nothing hugely expensive to do on the car, and at the same time to get the noises sorted.
- *Front drop link anti-roll bar*** This is what they diagnosed as making the noise. And it also failed the MOT for this (certificate said "Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt NSF Upper"). The work/replacement has been done and has cured one of the noises.
- *Lower arm bush, passenger front*** The mechanic had a look and said it seems ok and he would not bother doing anything. It's not perfect, but there's not enough play/movement/problem to even be a MOT advisory. He said it might cause a slight noise when turning corners or heavy steering, but it's nothing to worry about.
However, drove it home and one of the noises is still there. It's the main noise you can hear in the above recording. I've done some new recordings and will put a link below. The first one is pretty good but have included the others too in case they are helpful.
It has since been back to the garage. They've had another look and took it for a drive to listen. They say there is nothing obvious, and so they are suspecting the noise is the front shock absorber. They said it is hard to visually tell or to test if this is worn, and seeing as everything else looks fine, all points to this being the problem. Will be around £200 all in.
I wondered what you guys think about it being that please? Does it sound likely? The noise seems to be coming from the area behind the pedals, but tbh it's tough to tell exactly.
Any replies would be a massive help, as the bills are building up which is fine if the issue gets sorted but not if it keeps having to go back for more work.
Huge thanks
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1dpJLchprNW...
Edited by Clintpistol17 on Tuesday 4th June 14:41
Just wanted to come back to say we had the shock absorber and top mount changed today and all is good. Perhaps that might help someone in the future trying to diagnose a similar sound, although to be fair it seems like a lot of things can make this type of sound! Well, if that's case, here's another thing to add to the list of potentials for you!
Thanks for all the responses and help.
Thanks for all the responses and help.
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