Who's there? (persistant knock)

Boxwolf · Post by **Boxwolf** » Sat Jun 27, 2009 7:58 pm

While driving, there is a knock from the front wheels; this is usually when going over bumps. A friend told me it sounds like a rubber damper has gone on one of the rods that holds the wheels in place or something. I don't know much about this but also the car had an advisory on the MOT for the lower suspension ball joint, so could it be that?

DavidRutherford · Post by **DavidRutherford** » Sat Jun 27, 2009 8:02 pm

Yes, or the other most likely suspect is the droplinks.

Kitch · Post by **Kitch** » Sat Jun 27, 2009 10:51 pm

Is there any play with the steering, or any change of direction when coming on and off the throttle? Could be wishbone bush, but as suggested most likely droplink. Easy fix luckily.

Boxwolf · Post by **Boxwolf** » Sat Jun 27, 2009 11:02 pm

Okay, thanks guys... so how would I go about fixing the droplink?

Post by **mat_fenwick** » Sat Jun 27, 2009 11:44 pm

Boxwolf wrote:Okay, thanks guys... so how would I go about fixing the droplink?

By replacing it.

(The pictures on the following thread show how it's done).

But given how you had an advisory on the ball joint, and it's *unlikely* to have improved in the meantime, I'd check that first!

Boxwolf · Post by **Boxwolf** » Sun Jun 28, 2009 10:49 pm

This may be a thick question but how would I check it?

DavidRutherford · Post by **DavidRutherford** » Sun Jun 28, 2009 10:59 pm

You need to see if there is any play in the balljoint. If there is detectable movement, then it needs replacing.

Boxwolf · Post by **Boxwolf** » Sun Jun 28, 2009 11:10 pm

But how would I check that? is it a "take the wheel off" job or can it be done with the car on the ground?

Post by **mat_fenwick** » Mon Jun 29, 2009 9:37 am

IMO, checking it on the ground won't show much - the weight of the car may hide play that you would see when the suspension is unloaded. Get a pry bar, and see whether you can detect any play in the joint by trying to lever it apart.

Boxwolf · Post by **Boxwolf** » Mon Jun 29, 2009 1:12 pm

I'm afraid your estimate of my mechanical knowledge is a little bit off the actual value. In other words "whats a pry bar? where do I put it? does the car have to be jacked up? does it need the wheel off it? Is there a step by step guide anywhere?"

DavidRutherford · Post by **DavidRutherford** » Mon Jun 29, 2009 2:19 pm

If you can't work out how to insert a pry bar into a ball joint to check for play, then I suggest you get someone else to check it for you, as that's a very basic thing to be doing.

If your mechanical knowledge is that limited then please don't start fiddling with suspension or brakes. Really. You're running the very real risk of doing something really dangerous, and putting other people at risk.