General Clunking/Rattling over rough tarmac in Cinq

[Jackoh]

Hi guys,

Have got a strange clunking noise coming from my nearside front wheel area when passing over rough tarmac, sounds like a deep clunking, not too loud but definitely noticeable, I am unsure of the sound of a knackered wheel bearing could this be it?

Cheers in advance, jackoh

 

[fingers99]

More likely to be the top mount or the wishbone bushes.

To check the top mount, put the car on axle stands, bonnet open, and try and pull the wheel upwards. If you see any movement at the top of the strut, the top mount has gone.

For the wishbone bushes, grap the wheel and try and move it back and forth while looking at the wishbone and where the bushes mount.

Wheelbearings on their way out feel rough when you turn the wheel, tend to make a grinding/rumbling noise.

 

[Jackoh]

Thanks mate very helpful, will check both of these in the morning in the light, if either of these are the problem, what sort of cost am i looking at to have a go at replacing the knackered bits?! Cheers again

 

[fingers99]

Off top of my head, top mounts are about £40, but you need spring compressors (look at the guide to doing the front suspension for how to get to there).

The wishbones (aka front suspension arms) come with new bushes and the ball joint. Think they're about £25. Hardest parts of that job are getting the hub nut off and splittting the ball joint (tip: use the scissor type splitter and undo the bottom strut bolts so you can pull the driveshaft out of the way). Lots of penetrating oil on all the nuts and bolts the day before.

 

[Jackoh]

Lovely job nice one mate, will post again tomorrow with my findings! I believe something let go earlier on when i gave it a bit too much stick up a steep drive, obviously on the way out anyway so no worries, thanks again.

 

[fingers99]

Ah, if it gave way with the application of mega torque, quite likely to be the gearbox mount (aka rear engine mount). I think they're about 20 quid, easy to fit. Shiney side goes up.

 

[Jackoh]

After checking it out both the suspension arms and top mount seem in good condition.. where abouts is this gearbox mount? thanks alot!

 

[fingers99]

Underneath the passenger side of engine bay: you'll see a fabricated sheet steel bracket going back from the bottom of the gearbox to the passenger footwell. The mount sits in that.

When they get really bad, you'll feel a clunking/jerking under acceleration in lower gears. They're always going!

 

[Jackoh]

Thanks mate, I'm useless though can't spot it.. heres a pic from underneath where abouts am i looking?? Cheers for all the help!

 

[fingers99]

It's the shiney thing (covered in oil!) between the right hand axle stand and the cat on the photo. At least, that's the bracket. The mount itself is in the big hole in the bracket.

 

[Jackoh]

Haha thats what i thought, yeah need to change the rocker cover gasket thats responsible for the oil everywhere haha.. nice one mate.