Knocking noise

carlosvr6 · 3 Sep 2007 at 17:26

My 306 makes a knocking noise randomly when i'm turning. Sounds like its coming from under the engine area but i cant be sure. This happens turning left and right. I initially thought it was the exhaust because it was blowing but that has been changed and the noise is still there. I have taken it to two different garages. One said it MIGHT be the cv joints although they are not leaking and look fine. The other said he could'nt see anything wrong with the bearings or cv joints and that it all looks ok and safe.

Anybody have any idea what can be causing the noise?

Gaijin · 3 Sep 2007 at 17:40

Got an anti roll bar?

Could be ARB droplinks. Could not be.

Dogbreath · 3 Sep 2007 at 17:48

If it's a regular knocking noise that varies with the speed of the car (i.e. not just a single clunk as you turn the wheel) then my money would be on the CV joints.

For some reason Peugeot and Citroen excel at making CV joints for their smaller cars that self destruct at relatively low mileage, and also build them as part of the driveshaft so you have to buy a complete new (or recon) driveshaft instead of just one CV joint. The condition of the boots is unfortunately no indicator of the health of the CV's, you simply can't tell wether a CV joint is good or not just by looking at it.

Katoom · 3 Sep 2007 at 17:52

Can anyone in the garage take it for a spin, not just 'look at it'?

Does the noise happen when turning sharp and slow, like when pulling out of a junction, or when going around a fairly tight corner at speed?

BigglesPiP · 3 Sep 2007 at 17:55

Is it on every corner or just at the extent of the steering lock.

NathanE · 3 Sep 2007 at 18:01

Steering rack or universal joint I'd guess. Depends how loud a knock we are talking though...

Katoom · 3 Sep 2007 at 18:02

I'd say cv joints.

Lopéz · 3 Sep 2007 at 18:11

Dogbreath said:
For some reason Peugeot and Citroen excel at making CV joints for their smaller cars that self destruct at relatively low mileage, and also build them as part of the driveshaft so you have to buy a complete new (or recon) driveshaft instead of just one CV joint.

Great, isn't it? :rolleyes:

carlosvr6 · 3 Sep 2007 at 21:23

Double post

carlosvr6 · 3 Sep 2007 at 21:24

Gaijin said:
Got an anti roll bar?

Could be ARB droplinks. Could not be.

Not really sure. Anyway i can find out?

Dogbreath said:
If it's a regular knocking noise that varies with the speed of the car (i.e. not just a single clunk as you turn the wheel) then my money would be on the CV joints.

For some reason Peugeot and Citroen excel at making CV joints for their smaller cars that self destruct at relatively low mileage, and also build them as part of the driveshaft so you have to buy a complete new (or recon) driveshaft instead of just one CV joint. The condition of the boots is unfortunately no indicator of the health of the CV's, you simply can't tell wether a CV joint is good or not just by looking at it..

I would describe the noise as such. The cars done 52k and i had the cv joints done June 2006.

Katoom said:
Can anyone in the garage take it for a spin, not just 'look at it'?

Does the noise happen when turning sharp and slow, like when pulling out of a junction, or when going around a fairly tight corner at speed?

The chap that said it might be the cv joints took it out for a spin. I really dont want to spend £45-50 getting the cv joints done on the basis it might be the problem.

The noise is completely random. I have noticed no difference in uphill, downhill or tight corners etc.

NathanE said:
Steering rack or universal joint I'd guess. Depends how loud a knock we are talking though...

The knocking is loud enough to be heard from inside the car. Its the kind of noise you would get if someone was shaking a loose exhaust under your car.

Was planning on taking the car in for a full service this month at Nationwide Autocentre might just wait and see if they have any idea.

NathanE · 3 Sep 2007 at 21:48

I doubt it's the ARB/drop links as problems with that are usually noticed with bump/rebound on one wheel at a time (i.e. pot holes).

If it's more a creak/light clunk that you can perhaps slightly feel through the steering wheel then I'd say it is the universal joint(s) on the steering column. Usually can be fixed with regreasing and tightening up the bolts of the joint. Most non-German cars will experience this fault and to be honest I can't remember the last car that didn't get a slight creak from the universal joints felt in the steering wheel when maneovuring at low speed.

If it's a louder knocking noise then perhaps the steering rack is on its way out.

wassap · 3 Sep 2007 at 21:51

If it cluncks when you go over a bump then its either the Drop links or the ball joints, both of which are made of cheese on the 306, fortunately they are cheap to fix, but a complete PITA to do as more often than not the nuts rust summat rotten in no time at all.

carlosvr6 · 3 Sep 2007 at 23:11

wohoo said:
If it cluncks when you go over a bump then its either the Drop links or the ball joints, both of which are made of cheese on the 306, fortunately they are cheap to fix, but a complete PITA to do as more often than not the nuts rust summat rotten in no time at all.

No noise going over bumps. Only when turning sometimes.