Technical suspension clunk

[Lil Nancy]

I have started to notice a clunking from my passenger side front suspension, whenever I go over even small pot holes or speed bumps. The car has only 600 miles on the clock, I was wondering if any other members have experienced something similar. I was going to take it to the dealers, however my previous experience with them has shown that is best speaking to the forum first.

 

[bgunn]

Strut top mount I suspect. Jack the car up (securely) until the nearside front wheel is off the ground, then grasp the wheel at the 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock positions and try to rock it (pull the bottom, push the top and vice versa).

If you feel movement in the wheel, then there's play/wear in the top mount or bottom balljoint. Tell the dealer and get them to fix it!

 

[Lil Nancy]

Even on a 600 mile old car.......

 

[bgunn]

Yes. Although it's surprising, things can get missed in PDI, etc. It's not the end of the world, and easily fixed.

And doesn't reflect on the rest of the car, when you think of all of the component parts that go to assemble a car, and the amount of cars produced in a factory, it's not surprising the occasional error or problem does occur.

[edit] I presume you've had the car from new? Did this fault exist from new? The PDI process should include a road test, so the onus is on the dealer for not spotting it if it was.

 

[306maxi]

It is best going to the dealer rather than posting on a forum. With someone like this on such a new car it's more likely IMHO to be a loose wheel/something not done up properly than a worn part.

Other suggestions would be droplinks and perhaps the balljoint on the suspension arm.

 

[ahmett]

I have started to notice a clunking from my passenger side front suspension, whenever I go over even small pot holes or speed bumps. The car has only 600 miles on the clock, I was wondering if any other members have experienced something similar. I was going to take it to the dealers, however my previous experience with them has shown that is best speaking to the forum first.

Get it checked but if you go over a pothole or speedbump quickly enough it is perfectly natural to hear a clunk = ) Let us know what comes of it!

 

[silver rocket]

i had a similar issue like a clonking sound when going over bumps turned out to be worn top shock mount

 

[ianrm]

Strut top mount I suspect. Jack the car up (securely) until the nearside front wheel is off the ground, then grasp the wheel at the 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock positions and try to rock it (pull the bottom, push the top and vice versa).

If you feel movement in the wheel, then there's play/wear in the top mount or bottom balljoint. Tell the dealer and get them to fix it!

That is more likely to show play in the wheel bearings which I would not expect to see on a car that has only done 600 miles.

Take it back to the dealers. Ask to take someone out so they can experience that fault and establish exactly the noise you are getting.

 

[bgunn]

That is more likely to show play in the wheel bearings which I would not expect to see on a car that has only done 600 miles.

No it's not. It'll show any play in that plane of movement. Whilst that *could* be the wheel bearings - this is unlikely as you'll see other effects from this (such as a long brake pedal).

(My car has a worn top mount, and doing this showed the play in it)

And to the comment about taking it back to the dealers; I'm not disputing that, do. But you're better off being armed with information about what the fault *could* be. In my experience, dealerships are generally pretty poor at diagnosing faults.

 

[Squadrone Rosso]

The front passenger side suspension has gou noisy on my 7 k mile / 7 month old TA+ recently too

 

[jrkitching]

Strut top mount I suspect. Jack the car up (securely) until the nearside front wheel is off the ground, then grasp the wheel at the 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock positions and try to rock it (pull the bottom, push the top and vice versa).

If you feel movement in the wheel, then there's play/wear in the top mount or bottom balljoint

Be careful not to jump to conclusions with top mount wear on MacPherson strutted cars. Many of these have some play in the top mounts when the suspension is hanging freely, even when brand new. If there is play in the top of the strut, repeat the test with the weight on the wheels. If the play disappears, the suspension is probably still serviceable.

I've known some MOT testers to unjustifiably fail cars for this, but the MOT Testers manual is quite clear on this point:

"Note: Some MacPherson strut top bushes are designed to have lateral play when the suspension is hanging free. Rejection is only justified when play is due to wear and/or maladjustment, etc."

 

[bgunn]

Be careful not to jump to conclusions with top mount wear on MacPherson strutted cars. Many of these have some play in the top mounts when the suspension is hanging freely, even when brand new. If there is play in the top of the strut, repeat the test with the weight on the wheels. If the play disappears, the suspension is probably still serviceable.

I've known some MOT testers to unjustifiably fail cars for this, but the MOT Testers manual is quite clear on this point:

"Note: Some MacPherson strut top bushes are designed to have lateral play when the suspension is hanging free. Rejection is only justified when play is due to wear and/or maladjustment, etc."

Good point..

 

[The Twins]

I did notice a bit of a clunk on mine a while ago but it stopped.
I have been told that the drop links can be a bit noisy - maybe it's that and the noise on yours will go away after a few more miles too.
Hope this helps.
Ian.

 

[jrkitching]

I have been told that the drop links can be a bit noisy - maybe it's that and the noise on yours will go away after a few more miles too.

That's an understatement. On the 500/Panda, loose & or worn droplinks make one helluva racket. Fortunately, they're one of the easiest and cheapest parts to replace on the whole car.

It's easy to leave them slightly loose if you don't use a hex key to lock the bolts, as otherwise the bolt will likely turn with the nut before you reach the tightening torque.

On an almost-new car, excessive noise will more likely be down to incorrect assembly than wear, and the droplinks would be the first thing I'd check.

 

[Lil Nancy]

Just picked the car up from the dealership, it required a new top mount....apparently there was excessive play in it...I wonder what will fail next....already had a new remote, and body control computer....not bad for a 2 month old car

 

[RobinPJ]

Hopefully all the teething problems have now been found!

Our car had a problem one week in which was quickly resolved, and has since run faultlessly for 2.5 years.

 

[Lil Nancy]

Fingers crossed

 

[jrkitching]

Just picked the car up from the dealership, it required a new top mount....apparently there was excessive play in it...

These have been known to be fitted backwards in error.

 

[bgunn]

Just picked the car up from the dealership, it required a new top mount....apparently there was excessive play in it...I wonder what will fail next....already had a new remote, and body control computer....not bad for a 2 month old car

Told ya

 

[Rose500]

Hi, ive had the same problem it turned out to be shock absorber going to get fixed under warenty. Just go to garage get it looked at
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