Diagnosing knocking/clunking noise

[Zero Fuchs]

I've developed a knocking/clunking from my suspension (or so I believe). I'm no mechanic so other than jacking and having a poke round, or bouncing the front end up/down I'm stumped.

The trouble is, I've now taken the car to two garages (one Toyota main dealer and a local independent) none of them are remotely interested. Both have claimed to have taken the car for a drive but can't hear anything. I've not pushed it with either but this is BS as it's so obvious that you'd have to be deaf.

I suspect that garages just aren't interested in anything non standard, which is fine but what are my options? Is this disinterest the norm nowadays or do I keep calling garages in hope? Any advice appreciated.

[E-bmw]

Basically, you need to make an appointment & actually take the mechanic out for a test drive to show them the noise.

[sunbeam alpine]

Zero Fuchs said:

I suspect that garages just aren't interested in anything non standard...

I'm reading this as the car is lowered/something else. It might be handy if you could give more details on the car (maybe with some photos). I'm sure it will help with diagnosis.

Your posts also suggests that it's the front end. Anything else you've noticed - uneven tyre wear for example?

Does it change under acceleration or braking or if you move the steering wheel?

[MakaveliX]

clunk over bumps, clunk round corners ? More details needed

[Zero Fuchs]

sunbeam alpine said:

Zero Fuchs said:

I suspect that garages just aren't interested in anything non standard...

I'm reading this as the car is lowered/something else. It might be handy if you could give more details on the car (maybe with some photos). I'm sure it will help with diagnosis.

Your posts also suggests that it's the front end. Anything else you've noticed - uneven tyre wear for example?

Does it change under acceleration or braking or if you move the steering wheel?

Sorry, I meant non standard as in any deviation from regular work, as opposed to searching for a problem.

My car's a standard MR2 MK3 with no mods whatsoever. Tyre wear is even. It happens at any speed but is naturally louder at speed and over uneven surfaces. But it happens over speed bumps, dropped kerbs etc. It sounds like it's coming from the driver's side top mount but both garages have claimed to have checked everything and found nothing.

It's not steering related, least not when turning the wheel anyway, as it happens with no steering input. I'm suspecting something in the suspension system because it only happens over bumps. However, I'm not a mechanic so would hope that an experienced mechanic might have a better idea.

Sounds like I need to take a mechanic out in the car.

[StescoG66]

Hard to say but I had similar on my IS250. Suspension, ball joints et al were checked and ok. Turned out to be sticking calliper pins. That’s where I would be looking. Remove and clean or replace.

[Cambs_Stuart]

I'd either look for an MR2 specialist, or I'd explain the situation to an MOT tester (preferably a good independent one) and ask if they can put the car on the shaker plate to try to pinpoint the noise