Hi - can anyone help please?

I have a 'clunk' coming from the front passenger side, it sounds like it is loose and happens when going over sleeping policemen. Going up over the hump is ok but its when coming down the other side (so i guess spring/damper fully extended and no weight on it) that it clunks/rattles.

Is it a known thing or am i just unlucky?

Any help or advice would be appriciated.

Darren.

d4zzl3r said:

Is it a known thing or am i just unlucky?

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Commonly reported here.

Chech all of the front suspension for excessive play, but it'll quite likely be worn droplinks, which is a cheap and easy repair.

Front wishbones are common especially the rear Bush's

My idea unless you are very high mileage would be the drop links

yes, most likely drop links. Others have said get good quality ones rather than cheap ones as they regularly wear and get noisy.

For me the hatchback was worse, I used to replace them every 2 years, because they would knock... one lasted 6 months before it gave a grinding noise, due to water ingress under the rubber boot.
The 500C is still on its first set, 7 years on

Is there a preferred brand Of drop links?
I need a pair and don’t mind spending a few quid more for better quality versions.

TurboToppolino said:

Is there a preferred brand Of drop links?
I need a pair and don’t mind spending a few quid more for better quality versions.

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Lemforder are generally well regarded.

Here, perhaps?

jrkitching said:

Lemforder are generally well regarded.

Here, perhaps?

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Thanks for that info. I looked and noticed a part number cross reference to a Moog equivalent. I’ve used Moog stuff on my old hilux and been happy with the quality. I think i’ll give these a go.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MOOG-Ant...O-FORD-KA-Abarth-500-FI-LS-2371-/191847627605

Thanks all for taking the time to reply, its appriciated.

I will be investigating the drop-links (i've already had a new wishbone at last years MOT).

I’ve just done my daughters clunking on drivers side and it was the wishbones slamming down onto the chassis as the bush had perished. Last week I changed the top mounts and drop links thinking it was that. Front bumper has to come off for wishbones.

I had the passenger side wishbone replaced 2 MOTs ago (£300 - yeah i know) and i've just been out to check it, it might be the cause of the squeak (i have squeaking and clunking). With the wheel off i put a pry-bar inbetween it and the chassis and i can hear the rubber bush creaking. i did the same on the drivers side and whilst it moves (should they move?) it does not creak. Can they be greased?

PaulMcgrath said:

I’ve just done my daughters clunking on drivers side and it was the wishbones slamming down onto the chassis as the bush had perished. Last week I changed the top mounts and drop links thinking it was that. Front bumper has to come off for wishbones.

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The top mounts, are they a bearing?

d4zzl3r said:

Can they be greased

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They shouldn't be greased (grease can damage rubber components), but they can be lubricated - a silicone spray is what you need here.

d4zzl3r said:

The top mounts, are they a bearing?

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They're a rather large rubber component sitting between the top of the suspension strut and the wing; not easily visible without dismantling. Fortunately quite cheap on a 500.

Not to be confused with the 'top hat' bump stops, which sit above the wing and are easily visible from under the bonnet (quite often rusty on a 500 as they collect water) - these are basically there just to stop the strut from falling down if the weight of the car isn't on the wheels.

If you jack up the car, you may notice some movement in the top of the strut; this is normal, providing the play disappears once the car is lowered to the ground. Not knowing this has caused some folks to unnecessarily replace perfectly sound top mounts. If you do need to replace one, it's best to replace both sides at the same time (which is why they're often sold in pairs).

They're directional front to back, so can be fitted the wrong way round; this has led to issues in the past and is worth checking if you suspect a front suspension problem and don't know the car's history.

d4zzl3r said:

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About normal
I'd clean if up with a drill wire brush cover with rust converter and thena bit of paint

That's the 'top hat' bump stop.

As I said

jrkitching said:

quite often rusty on a 500 as they collect water

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The only time this will be an issue is if you need to undo them. The nut screws onto the damper plunger in the suspension strut, which is free to rotate - the only way to hold it is with an allen tool inside the threaded part, which means you can't use a socket on the nut and must rely on a ring spanner. Easiest with a good quality allen socket and handle. Straightforward enough when the car is brand new, but difficult after even a few months, and anywhere between seriously hard and impossible without destroying the threads once it's in this condition.

If you're renewing the front shocks, it's no big deal, since you can just cut or split it off using any means at your disposal, but if you just need to change the top mounts, you want to be able to get this apart and use it again afterwards.

These nuts are best removed, greased and replaced the day after you get your new car home from the showroom, but most folks aren't going to do this. IIRC I posted something about fashioning some covers for these back in the day.

Edit: Here

I had a NIGHTMARE with the top hats as they were so rusty I had to have the nuts cut off my old struts!! This https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/132257383361 really helped me as it allows you to insert a tool while you you undo or tighten
It can also be used when changing drop links

Baglady1990 said:

This https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/132257383361 really helped me as it allows you to insert a tool while you you undo or tighten

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I like interesting tools.

These are called 'pass through sockets'; if you google this, you'll find lots of examples, with a great deal of variety in quality and price.

Have you ever had to turn a socket many times prior to final tightening, and it's just that bit too tight to turn by hand (especially with oily fingers) so you have to use a handle the whole way?

Well, you can buy sockets with a knurled end that are much easier to hand tighten - check out these bad boys.