Clonking from front t/d

Anything about BXs
Post Reply
rutter123
Over 2k
Posts: 2695
Joined: Sun Sep 02, 2012 9:54 pm
Location: South Lincs
My Cars: 90 Bx Tzd turbo ven red 295k
74 D Super 5 black
05 Volvo V50 2.0d 180k
65 Peugeot Boxer work van 280k
x 136

Clonking from front t/d

Post by rutter123 »

My t/d appears to have a distinctive clonk from front o/s when reversing slowly and then applying the brakes, this only happens when reversing, i have checked the obvious for worn drop link, bottom bushes, the track rod end had slight play so replaced that to no avail, everything seems in order and cant see anything untoward, the calipers are tight and the discs/pads are in good cond, maybe there is some wear in the strut? Any suggestions?
90 BX Tzd turbo 294k SORN undergoing major surgery
90 BX Tzd turbo estate 46k awaiting surgery
65 Peugeot Boxer Van the new workhorse
52 Toyota Rav4 180k Bulletproof Jap reliability
bussell
Confirmed BX'er
Posts: 90
Joined: Wed Feb 26, 2014 12:36 am
Location: Cheltenham, Gloucestershire
x 6

Re: Clonking from front t/d

Post by bussell »

Mine does that too - I thought it was a BX trait? I would be interested to see what it is though
Ed Beech - Bussell

1989 14E Leader
1985 Volkswagen Transporter Camper
1995 Land Rover Defender 110
2021 Audi e-tron Sportback
citronut
Over 2k
Posts: 2781
Joined: Wed Oct 31, 2007 7:55 am
Location: EAST SUSSEX UK
x 1

Re: Clonking from front t/d

Post by citronut »

it could still be slight play in the arm bush/s as the movment of the car can/will put far more force on these than can be done by hand,

another idea is an engine mount

regards malcolm
curent ride
K reg BX 17TD TZD est
also own
K reg D special

no longer have
H reg CX saffari 2.5 TRI (now gone to Malaysia)
R reg xantia 1.9TD est (gone to meet its maker)
rutter123
Over 2k
Posts: 2695
Joined: Sun Sep 02, 2012 9:54 pm
Location: South Lincs
My Cars: 90 Bx Tzd turbo ven red 295k
74 D Super 5 black
05 Volvo V50 2.0d 180k
65 Peugeot Boxer work van 280k
x 136

Re: Clonking from front t/d

Post by rutter123 »

Just replaced all 3 engine mounts so cant be them causing the prob. Could poss be the small angle iron plate that secures the brake pads as these have not been renewed for some time- at least 130k.
90 BX Tzd turbo 294k SORN undergoing major surgery
90 BX Tzd turbo estate 46k awaiting surgery
65 Peugeot Boxer Van the new workhorse
52 Toyota Rav4 180k Bulletproof Jap reliability
Defender110
Over 2k
Posts: 5917
Joined: Wed Dec 16, 2009 8:02 pm
Location: Harwood, Bolton
My Cars: Land Rover Discovery Series 1 200tdi 3 door
Land Rover Discovery Series 2 Facelift TD5
2020 Fiat Panda cross 4x4 twin air.
x 27

Re: Clonking from front t/d

Post by Defender110 »

I had this on my TGD Auto and took me a long time to figure it out and mine was a very simple cure; The front sub-frame was moving ever so slightly and clunking on the mounting bolts. The mounting bolts that also hold the antiroll bar 9/16" spanner size just needed nipping up half a turn and all cured. When driving forward all fine but when changing direction the sub frame would move to suit, sometimes when turning sharp left too.
Kevan
1997 Mercedes C230 W202
2003 Land Rover Discovery Series 2 Facelift TD5 - Daily driver / hobby days and camping.
1993 Land Rover Discovery 200tdi Series 1 3 door - in need of TLC
2020 Fiat Panda 4x4 Cross Twin Air.
Tinkley
1K Away
Posts: 1502
Joined: Sat Jun 06, 2009 11:27 am
Location: N Hants England
x 8

Re: Clonking from front t/d

Post by Tinkley »

The drop links on mine clonked on low speed corners!. However one of the wishbone nuts came fractionally loose after replacing the bushes etc and this was a little more similar to your description, worth a check and re-tighten - 24mm socket. Might even be bush wear as most of these now old cars will have had the bushes replaced or the rubber is on it's last legs.
RobC
BXpert
Posts: 582
Joined: Tue Aug 15, 2006 11:15 am
Location: East London
My Cars: 1991 Citroen BX 16v
x 26

Re: Clonking from front t/d

Post by RobC »

Clonking when braking after reversing is usually the brake pads slightly loose. Something to do with a retaining spring not working in the same way when reversing as it does while going forwards or sommat.

It's pefectly safe - your pads aren't going anywhere. Nothing to worry about!
1991 Citroen BX 16v
User avatar
themildbunch
BXpert
Posts: 592
Joined: Fri Apr 30, 2010 9:38 pm
Location: Stroud, UK
x 5
Contact:

Re: Clonking from front t/d

Post by themildbunch »

..that_

All my BX's have done this to a greater or lesser degree - quite reassuring when you know it's not something bad!

Droplinks are a very particular sound - obvious on speed bumps and bad road surfaces at low speeds..

Worn arm bushes aren't as easy to feel I think, although I'm pretty sure the nearside ones on my 16v are shot - it's quite harsh and unpleasant over potholes on one side and also feels slightly unstable accelerating hard...
1988 BX 19 Gti 16v
1991 BX 17 TZD Estate
1991 BX 17 TZD Estate
User avatar
Tim Leech
Over 2k
Posts: 15565
Joined: Tue Apr 15, 2008 11:12 am
Location: Derbyshire
My Cars: Various
x 141

Re: Clonking from front t/d

Post by Tim Leech »

I've been told it's the pads too, apparently fitting genuine ones cures it but I couldn't give any guarantee!
Lots of Motors, mostly semi broken....
Tinkley
1K Away
Posts: 1502
Joined: Sat Jun 06, 2009 11:27 am
Location: N Hants England
x 8

Re: Clonking from front t/d

Post by Tinkley »

I have 'genuine' pads and discs, well Bendix ones and currently no clonking or squeaking. My 14 had a very light knock when reversed from the pads and AFAIK it always had genuine pads and the original discs even at 175k. The last set of mintex pads just squealed a lot!
User avatar
barry badger
BXpert
Posts: 341
Joined: Sun Feb 12, 2012 10:17 am
Location: north west.
x 7

Re: Clonking from front t/d

Post by barry badger »

Caliper slides! oversize ones used to be available from bendix, we used to get a few 205s back with this complaint in the dealers back in the late 80s and oversize slides were available through the parts department. Last ones i bought were about 10 years ago through my local motor factor, ordered in specially. I had to get the part number from bendix though.
The problem is the age of our cars, if the calipers have been reconditioned they might already be fitted with the oversize slides and their bores are now worn.

Loose pads as mentioned can also cause this fault too.
1993 tzd estate, on sorn
1992 tzd estate, slowly being raided for parts
1992 txd estate, "doom blue" on the road
1991 4x4 estate, on sorn
Post Reply