Technical Slight knocking noise

[Cameron1590]

Hi All,

My 06 1.3 is on 60k miles now and I have noticed a slight knocking noise from the driver side when going over speed bumps etc. You can only hear it when the drivers window is open.

When I bought the car it had jus had a new wishbone on the passenger side and tracking was miles out, I have had the tracking done some months back however the front drivers tyre is bare on the inside, I don't want to have a new one put on if the wishbone is knocking the tracking out and it's going to be eaten up in a few thousand miles.

Any ideas?

 

[SB1500]

I had a knock and continuous balding on the inside of the tyre on my 05 1.2.

We replaced the drop links and shock absorbers as they were due.

Maybe drop links would solve your problem? These are like £12 from the Fiat specialist site Shop4Parts

 

[Cameron1590]

The shocks seem okay, not broken but are original.

Anyway of testing the droplinks and wishbone to see if they are ruined

 

[A3jeroen]

Droplinks seem Ok as long as they are in place. I've replaced a few on our Stilo's and once removed you could see how bad they actually were.
Replacing is easy and relatively cheap.

gr J

 

[Cameron1590]

Can they cause uneven tyre wear? If so how easy are they to replace, would anyone be able to give me a little guide and a list of tools needed?

Would it be worth replacing the offside wishbone, the near side one was changed a few months back, not sure if they are an item that would be best replaced in pairs.

Thanks

Cameron

 

[varesecrazy]

Hi All,

My 06 1.3 is on 60k miles now and I have noticed a slight knocking noise from the driver side when going over speed bumps etc. You can only hear it when the drivers window is open.

When I bought the car it had jus had a new wishbone on the passenger side and tracking was miles out, I have had the tracking done some months back however the front drivers tyre is bare on the inside, I don't want to have a new one put on if the wishbone is knocking the tracking out and it's going to be eaten up in a few thousand miles.

Any ideas?

The rubber bushes - if original are now at least 10 years old,
that's what failed on our 1.1 at @10 years old,
with a wheel brace on the wheel bolts.. you could make the car wheel go back + forth in the wheelarch.. LOTS of free play

the car is going back on the road tomorrow.., so we will see how it has fared after it's 8 months "rest"..

Charlie - Oxford

 

[Jabe]

Anyway of testing the droplinks and wishbone to see if they are ruined

Just grasp the drop link in your hand and try to shake it up and down. If it is badly worn, you will be able to feel some free movement and probably hear a clicking noise.

 

[portland_bill]

Worn droplinks are common and give a knocking, especially over speed bumps. They will not cause tyre wear.
Any uneven tyre wear that occurred before the wishbone was replaced will not be 'fixed'. The tyre will always be more worn on one edge, so as it now wears evenly, the edge that suffered more wear will wear out first. So the wear you see may not have a cause now.

 

[notsmartcars]

I had a similar knocking on mine also only on speed bumps it was a badly worn track rod end so check immediately

 

[Cameron1590]

I had a similar knocking on mine also only on speed bumps it was a badly worn track rod end so check immediately

How do I go about checking the track rod end? Same process as the anti roll bar ?

 

[Sweetsixteen]

Drop links are the first suspects, as has been said. Not easy to check while they are in place, and you will find that trying to move them by hand will not give a proper indication of their condition. Easy to remove and replace - probably a half-hour will see each side done. While there, change out the roll bar bushes - one each side. Easy but a bit fiddly. There's more than one style of bush, so make sure you get the right ones.

Check track rod ends for wear also - second possible culprit. You can do this with the car on jacks by gripping each front wheel and 'swivelling' from side to side while your mate feels for play at the track rod end knuckle.

If that doesn't cure your knocking noise, you need to start looking at suspension components, but the above two items are the fast wearing ones.

 

[notsmartcars]

If there are two of you one rocks the steering wheel while one clasps the track rod near the wheel with your hand you will feel it
If by your self it's easier if you jack one wheel at a time with steering lock on try and move wheel from side to side ,

 

[jrkitching]

How do I go about checking the track rod end?

Worn track rod ends will cause excess free play in the steering. Try turning the steering wheel alternately right & left with the ignition off - any free play should be readily apparent. More than 1/2" (13mm) free play, measured at the steering wheel rim, will lead to MOT failure.

 

[Voltfish1]

Hello mate,

Did you by any chance find out where was the clicking noise coming from? I also only hear it when window is open. I changed both wish bones and drop links but clunking is still there, thanks

 

[The Panda Nut]

I would suggest the knock is mosr likly droplonks. However it could be the topmounts whi h cam also cause tyre wear. The top mounts locate the top of the suspension strut, and also influence camber angle. Tyre wear is most likely tracking. I suggest get the tracking done by a good firm like tyre pros who have the bezt equipment. Make sure whomever you use has at least laser measuring equipment. If you replace tyres ALWAYS get the tracking checked at the same time Top mounts if, needed, vary a lotin quality. Cheap is notcheerful where they are concerned. Each side will take an hour ( max) to change and they are under £30 each. Tracking places will tellyouif they see other issues like worn track rod ends. Panda 169s seem to be prone to uneven tyre wear so regularchecks pay off.
.

 

[koalar]

What sort of noise banging, jingling, rattling
From the left,right or center
When does it happen,bump, turning
Occasional, often


Is it identical after changing the parts

Did you torque the drop links properly

Lots of noises not just suspension, exhaust bracket
Heat shield and so on

The more information we have, the more we can narrow down where to look

 

[Voltfish1]

Its more of clicking noise from left and right side whenever driving over some speed bump, manhole or pot hole.

Yes it makes same noise now as it was before changing the parts. I double checked and everything is torqued correctly.

I also checked for worn out track rod ends but they seem in good condition and there isnt any play in the steering wheel or wheels when you try to wiggle it around.

There is also no noise when the car is parked and I try to compress the front end down and rock it around.

Could it be the susspension top mounts?

 

[koalar]

Clicking
Is that one click over each large bump

Are they separate drive over a pot hole on the left side and the noise is from the left,blame for the right

Or is it coming from both sides at the same time regardless of which side the pot hole is

Anything is possible, which is why it's better to try and diagnose the problem first, typically the top mounts are noisy when turning and the near side normally fails first