Nasty sounding noise when dry steering.

AmDaMan

AmDaMan

AmDaMan

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Joined
18 Oct 2002
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Wellington, NZ
Hey, lately i have had funny noises when dry steering or driving on full lock. Like a clunk sound. I'm led to believe this is the driveshaft but i can't really tell which side it's coming from. Somethimes sounds like both sides but i've had a new d/s put in on the passenger side about 2months ago..

Is there anything else it could be? If it's the o/s d/s why doesn't it sound like it's coming from there?

ta.
 
i had that with my C3 never bothered to find out what it was cos I Part exchanged it, but I dont think it was too serious as it never threw up a power steering error light
 
MrMoon said:
but I dont think it was too serious as it never threw up a power steering error light
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You do realise lights are simply a guide and to assume a problem is not serious simply becuase there is no light on the dash is foolish in the extreme?
 
If its a FWD it could be the CV joints.
The cluking noise will get louder and louder the longer you leave it and they will occur even with a slight turn of the steering wheel
 
Yeah it is a FWD, CV Joints you say? What needs to be done then? Can these be replaced or do I have to replace a lot of different things at the same time?
 
Well you usally get a whole CV joint kit and thats all you need and you replace the old ones with the new ones.
My older brother changed his cars and my mums car his self and hes never done a mechanics course.
He does play around with his cars lots though.
If you do decide to do it your self make sure you know what your doing but i would get it done my a pro personally :)
 
Been looking at kits on Ebay, doesn't look like there are many parts to it but would the driveshafts have to be taken off to sort it out? As I don't have a balljoint seperator.

Doubt it's the wishbone mount as i've had a new one put in a couple of weeks ago with all new mounts and the noises are sometimes coming from that side.
 
Hang on, is it a single clunk, or more of a knocking noise that is speed related? When you say "dry steering" do you mean steering whilst not moving?

If the answers to the above are "single" and "yes", then it's nothing to do with CV joints but most likely partialy seized top mount. The clunk is the suspension spring moving on it's seat, because it can't turn the top mount.
 
Steering when i'm still yeah. It's the worst when going slowly around a corner or say a 3pt turn in the road.

It's definately not speed related. It's usually a single clunk but sometimes if i'm say going from one lock to another it does it twice.
 
With mums car when you built up speed the clunking noise went away, it was only when driving slowly it made the noise.
I dont think you will need to take the driveshaft off but im not exactly sure.
 
AmDaMan said:
why doesn't it make noises when i'm going faster? Is this a big job to do then?
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Because you don't steer as far when you are moving faster.
 
ahh ok.

Right just been outside and was dry steering but it didn't make the noise. So pulled out and it started. Drove 5 metres down the road and turned the engine off and dry steered and it sounded like errrm 2 iron bars grinding together?

It wasn't quite as loud as when the car is moving slowly, also I can feel a jolt through the car when it's moving. When it was still it was much more mild.

So is it safe to assume it's the top mounts? How easy is this job to do?
 
Relatively easy. You probably need to remove the strut and compress the spring (using proper spring compressors) to be able to remove and refit a new mount.
 
Generally three small bolts that come through the fender liner into the engine bay with one nut in the centre.

http://www.boomspeed.com/bofh1968/OCUK/engine-bay.jpg (image linked as it is HUGE!!)

It's a matter of lifting the car so the suspension is completely relaxed, undoing the three nuts, wiggling the upper strut mount out of the fender, compressing the springs on the strut and removing the center nut (covered by a black rubber cup in the picture). Then you'll find a bearing/bushing under the nut that allows the whole assembly to pivot. It's most likely that bearing has seized. Not too uncommon for it to happen (I've had it happen on two cars). Then it's just a matter of putting it all back together.

One word of caution Make DAMN sure that the spring compressors are on REALLY good, as those springs are STRONG!! Go figure, they support the entire weight of the front end of your car!! You definately don't want your fingers in the way if the compressors decide to let go.........


[edit] You can generally rent a good quality set of spring compressors. Definately don't use the 10-20 quid ones you can buy.
 
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