Technical clonking/metallic sounds

[Drinu]

hi guys,
my car has developed a clonking metallic kinda sound when I pass over bumpy roads. Noise is coming from front left suspension. Anyone knows what it could be? Suspension is in place and there is no play in it. I am suspecting it to be the balljoint? COuld it be??

Thanks

 

[(CZ)enda]

Probably.
The lower balljoint would be my first suspect, then the rubber bushes where the other two corners of the wishbone attach to the car body.
Possibly even shock absorber - check the tyre for uneven transversal wear.
Other than this, I can only think of a CV joint, but it would crunch and rattle when driving with steering at full lock - which does not seem to be your case.

 

[jjhepburn]

It could be the little metal clips (anti-rattle springs) on the brake pads! I had a similar noise on my uno, pulled it apart a few times without any success. Finally checked the pads and one was missing its spring. Replaced all springs and noise was gone so before you go replacing expensive suspension bits better check those since they are cheap.

This of course doesn't apply to the turbo or maybe some of the later unos since they have different front brakes.

 

[alexGS]

James,
Welcome to the forum (at last)!

I see you've followed my lead of listing your cars (and the scooter) in the signature. What a list... Good thing that the red Uno's at my place, or there'd be a shortage of parking space there

Now we just need some photos of your yellow Uno...

-Alex

 

[SteveNZ]

1980 Mini 1000
1973 Mini 850

WTF, 2 minis! ?

 

[(CZ)enda]

A pictorial guide describing the change of ONLY the lower balljoint is here:
http://www.fiatuno.pl/index.php?idg=276 (in Polish).
However, the operation seems rather laborious and should the need arise, I do not think I would bother with that, opting for the change of the whole wishbone instead.

 

[alexGS]

It is a good idea, being able to change just the balljoint - but I have only managed it once. What tends to happen (in the real world) is that the balljoint rusts into the arm (I see that things look a little rusty in Poland, though!) It then takes a huge amount of heat and pounding to get it out.

A month later, the new joint had worked loose and was rattling around - had to be welded into place.

Speaking of rust, it's also possible for the rest of the arm to be weakened by rust or even bent...

In the last couple of years, the price of new arms seems to have halved, while the price of a balljoint has not changed. Basically, you can save 25% if you replace just the balljoint. But it is possible that the job won't go smoothly, so not worth it (as you said!)

Thanks,
-Alex

 

[SuperUno]

Replaced both TCA's last weekend, and it only cost me £42 including P&P from shop4parts.
fixed the kocking from the front of the car, they took a real pounding n a rally over the weekend and seem to be OK, will look at them today.
Think there is a bush gone in the NS rear suspension now
Plus i have to find a hole in the fuel tank, as it is leaking and probably get a new tank
But the old girl impressed my new nav, who thought it would be very slow and a bad ride in an 1.0ie Uno

Cheers

Matt

 

[Morty Mort]

Plus i have to find a hole in the fuel tank, as it is leaking and probably get a new tank

Might be a good idea with a new tank if you can´t find the hole. Inside the tank (if you´ve got a metal tank as I do) there are welded some thin walls for splash prevention. These are the tank´s weak points. If you look underneath the tank there is welded a reinforcement sqaure right under this splash prevention (if I remember correctly). You won´t find a serious welder that would take the job. Too risky. At least I´d stay far away when it is done...

Get a scrapped one. Make sure the "new" one is still filled with gas. For some free gallons of fuel? No! But to make sure it isn´t rusty on the inside.

Morten.

 

[SuperUno]

Fully agree, it wasn't hit by anything, but the force split a rusted part on the 'swaure' which houses the fuel surge parts.

Now looking at buying a new tank, as a 2nd hand one will still be rusty.

Cheers

Matt

 

[alexGS]

All my Unos have had plastic tanks...

I think my Turbo has a steel tank, but the plastic tanks never seem to be a problem? Was there ever a Mk2 with the plastic tank?

-Alex

 

[SuperUno]

MK I's had metal tanks, early Mk II's had plastic tanks, however the i.e. models had metal tanks which from a rallying point of view isn't so good, but not much i can do. Sourced a new tank for £70, which is a lot less than the 200 quid Fiat wanted !