knocking over bumps when not going in straight line

GeX

GeX

GeX

Soldato
Joined
17 Dec 2002
Posts
6,994
Location
Manchester
Hi all

Noticed a very slight knocking sound on my 2002 Xsara VTS this morning. The roads round here are not great, so it does get bumped about a bit.

It's coming from toward the NS (which is the side the exhaust runs down toward).

I'm not sure if it's coming from front, or back - it's hard to narrow down.

To try and diagnose, I drove over some speed bumps at low speed. If I go over them straight then I get no noise at all. If I'm turning slightly then I get a knock.

If I grab the tailpipe and wobble the exhaust it doesn't move around much and I can't hear the knock.

It is not the CV joints (I know that noise and it doesn't click at full lock etc). It's either the exhaust or part of the suspension.

It had new top mounts and front springs around 4 months ago. I have tried wobbling the drop link on the NS front but it didn't seem loose and the joints didn't look damaged.
 
I would say it's your your anti roll bar drop link. Certainly sounds like the symptoms I experienced when mine went.
 
I'd put money on the drop links as well, had similar on my Focus. If there is play in the ball joints of the link, there will be play which causes the knocking noise. You might not be able to detect any play just by wiggling them by hand whilst in-situ on the vehicle. Take it down a garage for an inspection if you're not sure, they should be able to give the suspension a nudge and check for unneccesary movement.

Hopefully it is drop links - they are usually quite cheap to buy and replacing them wont take long if your competent with a spaner and they are easy to access :)
 
I got a mechanic to look at mine, but I think you just grab it and shake it around a bit. However, I did try doing this and couldn't hear any noises, but once it was replaced the knocking noise was gone.
 
Droplinks! My old one did the same!

O/T do you live in Broomhill? Only noticed your car because its identical to mine except your plate is recognisable!
 
It could also be the ARB bushes. They can lose their stiffness in hot weather so the bar is not seated as snugly as is normal. This results in free play in the bar itself which could then ruin the drop-links.
 
So the guy posts

I have tried wobbling the drop link on the NS front but it didn't seem loose and the joints didn't look damaged.
Click to expand...

and yet three of you suggest / say for definite it'll be the drop links..

I guess you are saying the OP doesn't know how to wobble a drop link then. :P
 
yeah, I mean I wasn't sure if trying to wobble them by hand whilst the suspension was under load was actually a worthwhile test - it seems not!
 
On level ground with the suspension at normal ride height would be the best position really.

If you need to jack it up then jack both sides up so the same end of the car is off the ground and the tension on the anti roll bar is minimal.

Grab hold of the bar and yank up and down as hard as you can.
If there is no knock then, it's unlikely to be the drop links
 
Scubascorpion said:
So the guy posts



and yet three of you suggest / say for definite it'll be the drop links..

I guess you are saying the OP doesn't know how to wobble a drop link then. :P
Click to expand...

After telling him that my drop links were also at fault, causing the same symptoms, despite me not being able to detect play whilst they were in-situ...
 
Scubascorpion said:
So the guy posts



and yet three of you suggest / say for definite it'll be the drop links..

I guess you are saying the OP doesn't know how to wobble a drop link then. :P
Click to expand...

I guess you don't understand that drop links can be under a considerable amount of tension or compression unless disconnected, and simply giving them a quick wobble with your hand is totally inconclusive?
 
Dogbreath said:
I guess you don't understand that drop links can be under a considerable amount of tension or compression unless disconnected, and simply giving them a quick wobble with your hand is totally inconclusive?
Click to expand...

I guess you don't understand how anti roll bars work..

Or is it just fact you completely glossed over my very next post in which I said

On level ground with the suspension at normal ride height would be the best position really.

If you need to jack it up then jack both sides up so the same end of the car is off the ground and the tension on the anti roll bar is minimal.
Click to expand...
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom