Kingpin Bearings "clunk sound"

[Biggles101]

Having just purchased my Griff and now driven about 700 or so miles the front N/S suspension is making a large rattling noise and there is a distinct heavy "Clunk" sound under breaking. If I rock the car forwards and back on the brakes the clunk is there on every forward braking. Is this likely to be a Kingpin bearing. when I bought the car the TVR Dealer had just replaced the upper and lower wishbones/bearings etc. so I'm pretty confident these are OK and Jason really seemed to know his stuff about TVR's. people have only good things to say about his engine builds on this forum, so I'm hoping his knowledge extends to the other mechanical areas. From my understanding the ARB could be the cause of the rattly suspension but not if rocking the car on the brakes. (besides it sounds heavier than a drop link)
Does anyone have any advice, Would it be the sort of job I should take back to Jason under warranty? (He has given me a 12mth/6000mile warranty but is about 1.5hrs from me in Bristol) I am quite mechanical having completed a Spitfire restoration and a full body off rebuild of a Scimitar.

Matt

[TVR Beaver]

It should be right if he's just had the arms off... you could take the wheel off and have a look for anything obvious (check bearings on the arms in 4 places... ensure thrust washers are fitted... check upper and lower ball joints.. and ensure all is tight).. but I think I'd be giving him a call or taking it back.... (these things can get involved!.. trust me )

[Biggles101]

Had a quick look today but have found I need a longer reach trolly jack. My little Halfords special is too bulky to get under the front and when the car is raised slightly on the slope of a set of ramps the jack won't go high enough to lift the wheel - Is nothing easy!!!! is it safe to jack on the corner of the outriggers?
Looking on the Clever trevor website both upper and lower ball joints are available.

the washers are in place on the wishbones and there doesn't seem to be any play either top or bottom. but again difficult to tell fully without getting the wheel off.

[TVR Beaver]

You need to get it up in the air, wheel off and even the shock at one end to see if there is any play... You can jack on the outrigger or so I'm told... but I always jack on the front cross member and put stands under the main central chassis...

Just a thought... I assume you've checked your wheel nuts??

Very nice car by the way... why has he replaced the arms and bearings at 8400 miles?.. or am i reading it wrong??

Edited by TVR Beaver on Tuesday 28th December 21:58

[Biggles101]

TEE HEE yes checked wheel nuts.

I want to jack on central chassis too hence need for a longer reach trolly jack. Would also love a double garage but my neighbour might get upset if I use his lounge!

[Biggles101]

Not reading it wrong it is 8400 (now 9000) but car has been laid up for 8yrs in a std garage. the front arms were getting "shabby" so Str8six replaced them prior to me owning the car. I never saw the originals. rear breaks also replced due to being siezed. the bill for parts and labour to the previous owner was £2K

I'm a little sceptacle about the mileage as only part history came with the car but not too worried as generally the condition appears correct in all other areas.

[TVR Beaver]

Mmmm.. even standing, I can't see the arms going in 9K to the point they need replacing... My car has 48K on it and the armes are in perfect condition??.... has it been waxoyled... and whats the chassis like?...
May be at 9K its still got the original tyres?.... worth checking a few bits... but looks very nice all the same..... great colour... is it red glow pearl?

[Biggles101]

Yes red glow pearl, the chassis has been covered in black Dinitrol?? by str8six but looks and sounds solid in all areas. I did check the usual outrigger points.

the tyres are Bridgestone all round. The cars first owners were Martin Brundel TVR as their demo car. not sure if they are still in existance to verify any mileage but can remain hopefull. Doesn't look like there is any sign of waxoyl but this could have been removed to put the Dinitrol on. As I work on it I guess I'll find plenty of headaches but hey that's part of the fun. I chose this car based on the fact I can tinker so will just keep smiling and see what happens :-)

[Aussie John]

Maybe a loose brake caliper?

[Biggles101]

Thanks guys after work today I'll get the wheel off and let you know the result. It could be a loose calliper (here's hoping)

Matt

[Del 203]

Aussie John said:

Maybe a loose brake caliper?

Hi John You've not been over in the Friday thread recently

[deetes]

Cars haven't had "King Pins" since Biggles was first published........ So whatever is making the noise it definitely isn't that. Best of luck locating the problem.

[Biggles101]

guess I'm older than I thought! but upper and lower nall joints just doesn't sound as "technical" as king pins.

[BliarOut]

Just push the car onto a couple of planks of wood *then* jack on the central spar

[lwt]

Check the anti-roll bar, bushes and the drop links. Its easy to get the ar bar misaligned and then it flunks as the nose dips under braking. Just a thought.

Ian.

[Barkychoc]

Aussie John said:

Maybe a loose brake caliper?

That would be my first guess, espacially if you can make it do it once moving forwards then again in reverse as the caliper moves. If so get it sorted PDQ!

[Biggles101]

GUYS

Thanks for all your support on this one. It was indeed a loose caliper on the N/S.
HOWEVER thought I'd just generally check everything over including the otherside and found those were also only finger tight! then removing the discs I found the back of each disk had been oversprayed with Dintrol which had contaminated the pads. A bit miffed but potentially an easy error to overlook. Just wish it haddn't been as could have caused a nasty accident. Will have to check the rears now

[Barkychoc]

Put some threadlock on the caliper bolts and live to tell the tale

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/...

[Biggles101]

All done (front anyway - rears tomorrow!)