Rumbling / soft knocking noise on imperfect road
Discussion
We have a Astra H which has been a decent car, if the road surface is not perfect I get a rumbling or a gentle knocking noise which i think is coming from the front passengers side (not 100% certain) it's always there. It certainly seems to be suspension related as it happens on poor surfaces, I had a snapped rear spring replaced last week but that made no difference, the garage looked at it on a ramp but said all was fine. Any ideas?
Thanks, I’ll try and point them out when the car goes in for MOT, the garage I currently use just said leave it until it gets worse as the couldn’t see anything obvious. Even though it’s a 12 year old car it’s never had rattles or odd noises.
Any idea how much the repair would be for the bits you suggested looking at?
Any idea how much the repair would be for the bits you suggested looking at?
The obvious things would be likes of anti-roll bar drop links, and possible ARB bushes.
And IMO dont waste time fitting spurious aftermarket parts, especially bushes, they dont last worth a f
k.
but it could be any number of bushes, balljoints, steering links etc.
Wouldnt have thought it too hard for a mechanic to investigate if they've actually driven and heard the noise although ARB bushes may not always be so apparent with an inspection, but damn they can make some noise.
And IMO dont waste time fitting spurious aftermarket parts, especially bushes, they dont last worth a f
k.but it could be any number of bushes, balljoints, steering links etc.
Wouldnt have thought it too hard for a mechanic to investigate if they've actually driven and heard the noise although ARB bushes may not always be so apparent with an inspection, but damn they can make some noise.
Thanks for all the help, I’m fairly certain it’s the front but not certain. I’m going to take it to a different garage to see if they can find it. I’ll get the cheaper/ obvious bits done first, if not I’ll either have to live with it or look to trade it in. It’s only worth maybe £1200 so can’t spend too much on it. Saying that it will still be way cheaper than the £32k 5 series bmw I somehow started considering!
My 06 Astra G is doing the same. The ARB bushes have been done and the rubbery Hee Haw sound over speed bumps
has gone. But I can still feel a subtle knocking at the rim of the steering wheel. This happens over rough patches on the road
and on a little ride down a cobbled private road it was constant. So the drop link jpints are the prime suspect.
BTW, my car's just passsed the 50,000-mile mark.
has gone. But I can still feel a subtle knocking at the rim of the steering wheel. This happens over rough patches on the road
and on a little ride down a cobbled private road it was constant. So the drop link jpints are the prime suspect.
BTW, my car's just passsed the 50,000-mile mark.
Just an update, I took it in to a different garage and they are also not 100%.A small amount of play in the droplinks found but nothing major, they thought the noise could be coming from the rear and hence suggested rear suspension bushes could be the issue.
Not had a price yet, but I would assume that the droplinks are cheaper to fix so might try that first, any idea how much both of those jobs should cost?
Not had a price yet, but I would assume that the droplinks are cheaper to fix so might try that first, any idea how much both of those jobs should cost?
Drop links changed but the noise is there, downside, cost £120 for the pair, upside the steering feels better, also would have failed it’s mot with the current worn drop links.
Not sure what to do now, drive it as it is until it stops or have the rear suspension bushes replaced which he was saying at least £500 including the labour.
The garage seemed to think the noise was from the rear, I stripped out the boot carpet and parcel shelf to see if the noise was loader, seemed no different. I can’t carry on spending money on a 12 year old car, but appreciate can be difficult to find these noises.
Not sure what to do now, drive it as it is until it stops or have the rear suspension bushes replaced which he was saying at least £500 including the labour.
The garage seemed to think the noise was from the rear, I stripped out the boot carpet and parcel shelf to see if the noise was loader, seemed no different. I can’t carry on spending money on a 12 year old car, but appreciate can be difficult to find these noises.
Latest news!
My Pal and I just replaced the drop links and track rod ends on my Astra G.
There was scarcely any play to be felt in the links and their mounting pin nuts
were so deeply corroded that there's no way they could have been loose. It took oxy acetylene heat to persuade them.
The nearside TRE was near enough to being seized as makes no difference
so play would be undetectable anyway. Again, Oxy was needed - 13y.o., 50,000 mile car brought up in Scotland...
must use a lot of road salt up there.
The MOMENT of truth revealed...no more knocking, not even on a cobbled private road.
Oddly, the steering feels lighter and stiffer at the same time. The German TUV-approved rplacement TREs
were extremely stiff, enough to need to be tapped with a hammer to enter the steering arms.I'm thinking
of that old saw, 'newness wearing in.'
I found the drop links (plastic type) on eBay. They were in Leicester (allegedly) but I didn't
realise Leicester is in China. They took a week to show up - such factors explain why they were
£5.50 a side.
Still, soft knock a thing of the past. Goody1
My Pal and I just replaced the drop links and track rod ends on my Astra G.
There was scarcely any play to be felt in the links and their mounting pin nuts
were so deeply corroded that there's no way they could have been loose. It took oxy acetylene heat to persuade them.
The nearside TRE was near enough to being seized as makes no difference
so play would be undetectable anyway. Again, Oxy was needed - 13y.o., 50,000 mile car brought up in Scotland...
must use a lot of road salt up there.
The MOMENT of truth revealed...no more knocking, not even on a cobbled private road.
Oddly, the steering feels lighter and stiffer at the same time. The German TUV-approved rplacement TREs
were extremely stiff, enough to need to be tapped with a hammer to enter the steering arms.I'm thinking
of that old saw, 'newness wearing in.'
I found the drop links (plastic type) on eBay. They were in Leicester (allegedly) but I didn't
realise Leicester is in China. They took a week to show up - such factors explain why they were
£5.50 a side.
Still, soft knock a thing of the past. Goody1
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