Front End Clank ?

[straga]

Dear All - My 96 Chimaera has had an anoying clunk/clinking noise from the front end since I got it 18 months back, it happens as the suspension crashes over bumps and potholes and also somtimes when the steering changes direction usually atlow speeds. I and two garages have been unable to find any play in the suspension and the car handles fine. The noise is from both sides but is slightly louder and more common on the near side. Shocks, Bushes, Power Steering ? not sure which to replace first - any help please.

[tvrheart]

I had a similar problem on my everyday car (old BMW), very annoying it was too! It turned out to be the droplinks which had worn so that the slack due to wear was causing the clonking. It took my mechanic quite a while to spot, well worth having a good poke around and checking all the bits like this in your suspension and steering, my mechanic said it is quite often the bushes that have splits/cracks/general wear so maybe check these first.
All my humble experiences though but hopefully a kick in the right direction.
Chris + P11PLE Paradise Purple Chimaera 450

[Saracen]

Mine was making a similar noise at one point and I was told it was the bushes/wishbones - either one or the other or a combination. Basically, if the bushes are damaged and your wishbones on their way out the suspension can actually knock against the chasis of the car causing that noise. Check out Steve Heaths book and the section on suspension....

[adamb]

Just had a drop link done on my Cerbera, symptoms sound very similar to what you describe. The dealer had to take it out and thrash for half an hour to get everything warm enough for it to be visible when on a ramp. When it cools again all seemed to be fine so diagnosis was very difficult. I had though bushes myself but according the experts if its bushes they can tell within seconds of hoisting it up.

[mhibbins]

I had exactly the same problems on my mondeo (blush). The was not enough wear in the front suspension bushes to show up on the ramp but once they were warmed up the rubber presumably got more flexible and the shaking and clanking started. Replacing the wishbone and anti-rollbar bushes completely solved the problem.

If you can find somewhere that will inspect the play in the bushes immediately after getting them good and warm you'll probably locate the problem.

Good luck.

Mark

>> Edited by mhibbins on Wednesday 13th March 09:40

[straga]

Thanks for all the info and ideas, my problem is actually worse when the car is cold and the noise reduces after a long hard drive but I suppose that could also be a quirk with the rubber bushes warming up ? I have just had another good suggestion and that is that the top & or bottom swivels are knocking but only under certain loading - anyone had an issue with these Please ?

[loadofcods]

I had similar problem with various clanks, creaking, vibration from the front end, and a 1/2 inch slouch to one side. Replaced all the ball joints, track rod ends and had polyflex bushings put in all round.
Superb! Like a new car, handling is so positive and responsive.

[straga]

Update - Just had it all checked out by Offord who say that the suspension components are all fine and they think the power steering rack is at fault. I am sure they know what they are talking about but I am a bit surprised, has anyone else had this problem ?

[Saracen]

Funnily enough when I had the clanking noise on mine they said it was the steering rack too. I had that replaced..but clanking was still there. Then I got the bushes/wishbones done and it's now gone. Is it a regular clanking noise when going slowly forwards and backwards (walking speed) that increasingly sounds as you pick up speed? That was my symptons.

[straga]

Thanks Saracen, your symptoms do sound very similar to mine - where did you get the bushes done and would you recomend them as I really don't feel that it's the steering rack and I guess bushes are alot cheaper.

[Saracen]

In got mine done by a friend from the golf club as a favour but I can highly recommend Fernhurst or Andy from AJP (See another thread about independant servicing for his number as I don't have it to hand).