A new week, a new sound from the B...

I've got some clunking sounds coming from what most likely seems to be the right hand front suspension. Any idea what it might be and which parts I need to order this week?

Any idea what it might be and which parts I need to order this week?

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A new B
Sounds like you need to take the wheel off then with a pry bar or a large screwdriver, start fumbling around all the joints to see where/if there is any play. Bottom ball-joint, anti-roll bar joints etc, even check the shock absorber as it may be that has become weak

Could be all sorts even the exhaust banging on the bulkhead and near impossible to diagnose on the net, as said start prying/moving/shaking all of the bits you suspect, when on axle stand make sure that the wheel/strut you suspect is haging loose and not part of your jacking point.

Yeah, been thinking about dumping my B for a Coupe or a new 500 seeing that my Bs got so many problems, but I don't think I'll ever have the heart to get rid of it

Will hopefully have the opportunity to take it to the garage tomorrow (so no need for axle stands ), and I'll be prying all parts I find

Btw., is the swinging arm prone to failing on the B? I've since posting the last post read that Mareas and Bravos usually get clunking sounds if the swinging arm's knackered, so that might be it. Fingers crossed that the source of the sound will be easy to locate

Whether or not it's prone to failing, they do fail so I would be checking that first
I am looking around for a 20VT coupe at the mo

so you can take the engine out and put it in the B then drop the rest of the junk.

Stick with it Robot, I went through a stage of having bits brake every other day. You soon forget about it when you splash cash on the more fun things like mods.

so you can take the engine out and put it in the B then drop the rest of the junk.

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You know, I have had many, may cars in my driving lifetime and none have come anywhere near a to the enjoyment and affection I had for my Coupe, not even the B I didnt want to sell it and once I did I regretted it even more, that's why I am looking around for a Winter project, a 20VT with a deceased engine would be great

You soon forget about it when you splash cash on the more fun things like mods

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I am not quite sure that this is the correct plan of action to take
I remember years ago having a Bedford CF campervan and was so engrossed in getting the interior sorted that I ignored the squeeking coming from the front end, that is until it deposited the entire nearside suspension on the ground in the outside lane of a dual carriageway leaving me unable to move it

You soon forget about it when you splash cash on the more fun things like mods (After you have spent the money fixing the broken bits that is heehhe)

Finally had the chance to take it to the garage today. I had both front suspensions well poked, but apparantly there's nothing wrong with them

The sounds's still there though. Most often it happens during breaking at low speeds, giving off a clunk----clunk---clunk--clunk-clunkclunk sound. Hopefully I can have the Fiat mechanics diagnose it next week when I'll have the cam belt changed. Fingers crossed, and hope it's somethng cheap and simple to fix. This being a B, it'll most likely be something expensive...

Btw., I forgot writing that it's the front brakepads that are giving off the sound, in case anybody's interested, which nobody is, so why am I writing this but to incease my post count?

Robot said:

Btw., I forgot writing that it's the front brakepads that are giving off the sound, in case anybody's interested, which nobody is, so why am I writing this but to incease my post count?

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Brake pads sounded like front right hand side suspension?

Bloody big brake pads.................!!

I only have big parts


The clunking was quite loud...not so much anylonger, but there's still some. Can't be arsed sorting it before I change my front discs as it isn't really bothering my much now that I know what it is

Robot said:

I only have big parts


The clunking was quite loud...not so much anylonger, but there's still some. Can't be arsed sorting it before I change my front discs as it isn't really bothering my much now that I know what it is

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Front discs and pads take less than an hour to do - so get on with it you lazy bugger!!! (plus you need them to stop, if you don't replace them a clunking sound won't be your biggest issue!!)........

You big clunker

I've had 2-3 mechanics telling me that it's quite normal that the pads move about a little in the caliper and sometimes clunk, so it shouldn't be a problem. Last time I checked (a few months ago when I painted my calipers) my pads and discs were still ok, and they probably still are.

Well, technically they cant go anywhere But they shouldnt move enough to "clunk" Tap maybe but not clunk.

Pardon me for not having my onomatopoeias in order ; it might be a tap. It all depends on what I feel for my B at the time; if one day I'm less in love with it every sound sounds like a huge boing, creak etc., but most of the time it only lets of small purrs, moans and, yes, taps .

Robot said:

Pardon me for not having my onomatopoeias in order ; it might be a tap. It all depends on what I feel for my B at the time; if one day I'm less in love with it every sound sounds like a huge boing, creak etc., but most of the time it only lets of small purrs, moans and, yes, taps .

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Hmmm, a 'tap' might be the pads - a 'clonk' is more likely to be a worn bush or something..............

I had the bushes checked (they should have done the same in the US ) - nothing wrong with them