Funny knocking sound when I turn left... any ideas

[jonmartin]

When I do a sharp left turn I hear a loud clicking sound just once almost as if something plastic yet strong is catching on the ground or wheel. any ideas on what it could be? not sure where the sound is coming from but it is loud and shakes the car a bit.
the car is a 10 year old Chimaera. Any advice would be great before I take the long drive to my nearest TVR garage. If you need more information to help just let me know what you need to know.
Cheers!

[jonmartin]

Erm also my fuel tank makes lopud bangs when traffic stops, its acting like a vaccume after I have driven for a while, is there a breather of some sors somewhere? this is not realted to the problem above, just anopther 'quirk'

[Incorrigible]

Sounds like something in the front suspension, is there any rumbling ? if so could be a wheel bearing

just a guess, very difficult to tell without hearing it

[k4trv]

You don't say front or back??

If front: Have you tried looking at steering rack with bonnet up?? Get someone to turn steering lock-to-lock (whilst parked !!!)- you may have something snagging (tie-wrap, coolant pipes, brake hose etc).

If the rear and I'd be worried as you mention it shakes the car ?? It could be Prop shaft UJ, or either of the 4 CV joints on drive shafts - finally, the LSD in the diff as you make one wheel go further than the other.

Lots of scope ??? Just need to be more specific in determining where you hear the noise coming from?? Still worried you say it shakes the car ????

Can't help more.

Trev McM

[greenv8s]

If the noise happens when you accelerate while turning and gets worse the harder you accelerate, my guess would be a CV joint on the way out (usually the one on the outside of the turn i.e. offside complains when turning left). Otherwise, check the wheel bearings and look out for things catching on a front tyre on full lock.

[RCA]

If its from the front check the inside of the offside arch. Mine sometimes just catches on left lock due to the suspension having lost a little pressure.

[M@H]

jonmartin said:

Erm also my fuel tank makes lopud bangs when traffic stops, its acting like a vaccume after I have driven for a while, is there a breather of some sors somewhere? this is not realted to the problem above, just anopther 'quirk'

It is the tank colapsing slightly under vacuum.. there is a pipe from the top of the tank to a carbon cainster in the front wing of the car that vents to stop this. Accordingly any problems with the carbon cannister or this pipe lead to the banging in the boot. Just search the threads for caerbon cannister and you will find out loads on this.

Cheers,
Matt.

[jonmartin]

noise comes from the left centre to front generally woest when om ful lock and going slowlt, I only get it once pet turn though. Thanks for all the comments so far, it gives me a place to start.

[zumbruk]

There's a cyclist stuck in the wheel arch?

[wildego1]

Could be an unfortunate pedestrian I suppose

[jonmartin]

LOL