General "Clonking" Noise

[Doughball]

I've a 04 JTD Multipla with 30K miles. It's developed a "clonking" (how else to describe?) noise which appears to come from somewhere around the front suspension unit or under the car by the drivers seat. The car has had the front springs replaced under warranty, so hopefully these are OK and the exhaust hangers seem OK. Anyone experienced anything similar or any ideas? Could it be that it's just developed noisy suspension?

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

 

[booklady]

it's probably your anti roll bars. they are quite a common thing to go. Unfortunately you can only replace the whole unit (about £130) not just the bushes (which really should be possible!)

 

[Doughball]

Thanks for the reply, that's really helpful. The car feels a little strange on sharp left hand turns taken with a bit of speed when I've noticed a bit too much lean and a slight loss of traction. I guess that ties in with your suggestion. Fiat dealer or good independent for this do you think?

 

[GoonJTD]

There is a recall on diesel front suspension springs which are cracking. I reckon that's it.
https://www.fiatforum.com/multipla/53437-multipla-recall-front-springs-breaking.html

 

[Doughball]

Already had the springs replaced on recall in March 2006, so you'd hope the replacement ones are OK..

 

[booklady]

Thanks for the reply, that's really helpful. The car feels a little strange on sharp left hand turns taken with a bit of speed when I've noticed a bit too much lean and a slight loss of traction. I guess that ties in with your suggestion. Fiat dealer or good independent for this do you think?

Don't really know! we break multis, so got one off a breaker.

Do I take it from your signature that you also have a 500?

 

[Doughball]

Hi,

Yes, I've also got a 500. Had it since April this year. I like it a lot and so does just about everyone who sees it or travels in it. I've had no faults or problems with it either over over 1500 miles (it's all low mileage city use).

 

[booklady]

we have got one on order, should be arriving at Bristol docks a week today! Will then have a little fiat family, the multi (old faithful!) and a baby 500.

 

[Herts Hillhopper]

This is well documented elsewhere in several posts (Hint: try 'search' tool from the Forum menu)

Usual cause of clonks are the drop links connecting the antiroll bar to the front struts (need replacing every 18000 miles or so, both sides, parts are £11 each from shop4parts.co.uk. Details of how to replace also in several posts). Loose/worn drop links is an MoT failure too.

If that doesn't work, then its the antiroll bar bushes which means replacing whole bar. Parts around £130 an not really a DIY job as best done on a car lift. Ours needed replacing after 72000 miles (had three sets of drop links by then)

Pete

 

[Dougiebob]

Yup, our 53 plate with 58,000 miles has the same noise our mechanic says that its the drop links.

 

[martbass]

My o4 multi was exactly the same.
I've just had 2 new drop links, and a new anti roll bar fitted by my local mechanic.
Roll bar was £107 + vat in my local fiat dealers.

WOW!!

Drives like a new car and revel in the silence!!

 

[rolo]

Lower arms wear as well and are more of a safety issue than A/R/B bushes and drop links. Check these as well. Both sides on mine replaced by 90k.

 

[Dougiebob]

Is it the same bottom arms that are on the Fiat Coupe 'cos i've heard they wear out fairly regularly?

 

[Doughball]

Hello all. Having started this thread, thought you'd all be interested to know that you were all correct. It was the anti roll bar link Tie Rod on the off-side which was efficiently replaced by my Fiat dealer for just over £100 including labour. No more clonks and much to my relief, the Multi's excellent handling is back. The complete lack of grip on left hand corners was really quite alarming before it was fixed.