Chimaera suspension: Knocking noise

[B826 TVR]

Can anyone explain why the Chimaera's suspension makes a knocking sound on bumpy roads whilst others (eg. the Cerbera Speed Six I had) don't. I'm sure this is what they're supposed to be like, as a previous Chimaera I had was the same. Just wondered if it was down to soundproofing or whether better dampers could improve it.

[shpub]

Either a fault or some dampers are prone to making knocking noises occassionally.

[M@H]

Not what you want to hear, but mine doesnt knock at all. Without scaremongering, wouldn't you get a knocking noise on bumps if your bushes were worn..?

Cheers,
Matt.

[p7ulg]

Have noticed the rear suspension on mine knocks until the shockers get warmed up.Makes a sound as if the bootlid was open

[MatthewTamea]

My rear shocks seem to make the same kinda bumping sound too. Had it given the once over but nothing obvious found. Might get it looked at further just for peace of mind...

[p7ulg]

MatthewTamea said:

My rear shocks seem to make the same kinda bumping sound too. Had it given the once over but nothing obvious found. Might get it looked at further just for peace of mind...

Seem to remember the dealer once saying some are just noisy and some are'nt.Must admit my last Chimaera was quieter.

[chim450]

Mine did this for a couple of days before it went bang. Turned out to be the damper which had broken (apparently not common), got adjustable dampers fitted just have to learn how to adjust them now (for track days etc...).

[RichB]

Alright here's one I'll try on the off chance someone may have had the same. My car (a Griffith) makes a cracking / knocking sound - rather like fibre glass catching on something or twisting against something - just once - as I drive it out of the garage down the slope of the drive and up the camber of the road. Once it's done it doesn't do it again until next time I get it out of the garage, makes it a little difficult to diagnose! It's like something expands during use, then as it contracts it get stuck behind something else until next time I move the car when it un-catches itself! Oh and it comes from the front nearside of the car. Weird eh? Rich...

[p7ulg]

RichB said:

Alright here's one I'll try on the off chance someone may have had the same. My car (a Griffith) makes a cracking / knocking sound - rather like fibre glass catching on something or twisting against something - just once - as I drive it out of the garage down the slope of the drive and up the camber of the road. Once it's done it doesn't do it again until next time I get it out of the garage, makes it a little difficult to diagnose! It's like something expands during use, then as it contracts it get stuck behind something else until next time I move the car when it un-catches itself! Oh and it comes from the front nearside of the car. Weird eh? Rich...

sticky brake pad?

[RichB]

p7ulg said:

RichB said: Alright here's one I'll try on the off chance someone may have had the same. My car (a Griffith) makes a cracking / knocking sound Rich... sticky brake pad?

Don't think do because it happens as the suspension takes up some weight and I turn the sterring wheel - not touching the brakes? R...

[taylormj4]

RichB said:

sticky brake pad?

Don't think do because it happens as the suspension takes up some weight and I turn the sterring wheel - not touching the brakes? R...[/quote]

It could be the pads rubbing on the disc from when you stopped the night before. Maybe the pistons have got a bit sticky and arent retracting the pistons properly when you release the brake pedal.
In the morning, when you turn the wheel, this will flex the disc slightly and push the disc pads away from the disc. and stop the rubbing even if you don't brake.
Have a look at the brake pistons and see if one is sticking / lost the dust seal?

Matt

[joospeed]

B826 TVR said:

Can anyone explain why the Chimaera's suspension makes a knocking sound on bumpy roads whilst others (eg. the Cerbera Speed Six I had) don't. I'm sure this is what they're supposed to be like, as a previous Chimaera I had was the same. Just wondered if it was down to soundproofing or whether better dampers could improve it.

It'll be the damper valving hitting their end stops. better dampers would sort it (TVR dampers are notoriously unreliable and inconsistent in quality and damping effect), but if they're ok other than the noise better wait until you actually get a faulty damper before parting with your hard-earned. IMO. Don't blame me if it breaks tomorrow though

[MatthewTamea]

Rich - I have something similar sometimes, sounds as if something was stuck under the car or something as I reverse it out of the garage. Just like you it only happens that one time and then is fine, but is fiarly regular in getting the car out in the first place...

[RichB]

MatthewTamea said:

Rich - I have something similar sometimes, sounds as if something was stuck under the car or something as I reverse it out of the garage. Just like you it only happens that one time and then is fine, but is fiarly regular in getting the car out in the first place...

Glad you said that Matthew - I was begining to think I was going mad! Reckon I'll be testing Joolz idea soon 'cause as soon as I have a job I'm getting some Nitrons fitted. Rich...

[dannyboyo]

Hi mate, having mine fixed for a suspension knocking noise at the moment (amoung other things!!), it was one of the rubber bushes between the chassis and the wishbone. Pretty cheap to fix.

Hope this helps

Dan

[zippy500]

had a similar prob on my Griff. Had the wishbone bushes replaced for poly ones and no different, penninsual did the work, had a good inspection and traced it to noisy dampers. It does go away after they have warmed up a bit. Not sure if it helps but I no longer worry about it as Its been checked.

[peterc]

For what it is worth, I get exactly the same with mine Chimeara (4.5 W reg 8,500 miles!) I thought the noise might be suspension bushes gone hard or broken, but I cannot find anything amiss and the noise disappears after a little while.

Have come to the conclusion that it must be dampers, linked to the fact that the car sits in the garage from Monday to Friday most weeks.

It sounds like one of those "they all do that sir" items again. Would welcome any alternative (and sensible) suggestions?

[GreenV8S]

Suggest that if it's a minor knock and you can't track it down, mention it to your favorite TVR specialist/dealer next time it's in for a service anyway, as they may well track down problems that you can't.