Most Likely Causes Of Clunking From NS Front Hub Suspension?

[ReganAndCarter]

I'm at a loss. Got someone to lever upwards under the tyre with both wheels off the ground. Couldn't see, feel or hear anything. But this is usually the case with either the problem wheel or both wheels off the ground - the problem disappears.

With both wheels on the ground I got him to hold the tyre at 12 o'clock and rock it inwards and outwards. The movement and knocking is obvious, but not low down where the bottom ball joint is. And it's not the AR bar link either. Feels like it's coming somewhere from the hub area but I can't pinpoint. Checked the two bolts holding bottom of strut to hub are tight - and they were.

I can get the same movement/rattle if grab the lowest coils of the spring above wheel and move it in towards engine then outwards. Can feel the knocking near the bottom of strut near hub rather than top of it.

If not the lower ball joint, what else could it be? Wheel bearing? My experience of these is the whine or rumble. Can bad bearing clunk when driving along and cause rattling/movement when moving wheel in and out at top by wheel?

What other things are possible? CV joint?

 

[Mottie]

Try rocking it at 12 o’clock with someone holding their foot on the brake. If stops, your problem is something to do with brakes or wheel bearing as holding the brake on will eliminate any play in them. If it still makes the noise, I’d guess at bottom ball joint or wishbone bushes. Also, try pushing up and down on the anti-roll bar in the middle to see if there’s any play in those bushes marked number 2 in the diagram.

 

[carmanmemoranda]

Try suspension top mounts.

Can often feel it at the wheel but the play is at the top.

Any noise or resistance on turning ?

It would also tie in with wheel movement whilst wheel is on the ground

 

[ReganAndCarter]

Try rocking it at 12 o’clock with someone holding their foot on the brake. If stops, your problem is something to do with brakes or wheel bearing as holding the brake on will eliminate any play in them. If it still makes the noise, I’d guess at bottom ball joint or wishbone bushes. Also, try pushing up and down on the anti-roll bar in the middle to see if there’s any play in those bushes marked number 2 in the diagram.

Great suggestion re. trying brakes. Not thought of that. Will have a go. As for the inner anti-roll bushes (items number 2 on diagram) - I put a new pair in last week as they were ropey. The noise/movement is the same as before and after their replacement.

 

[ReganAndCarter]

Try suspension top mounts.

Can often feel it at the wheel but the play is at the top.

Any noise or resistance on turning ?

It would also tie in with wheel movement whilst wheel is on the ground

Thanks, I'll re-check top mounts. By noise or resistance turning, do you mean the wheel or steering wheel?

 

[carmanmemoranda]

Thanks, I'll re-check top mounts. By noise or resistance turning, do you mean the wheel or steering wheel?

Noise (as direction changes) from the mounting area.

Resistance felt as you steer. Possibly not returning to straight ahead position fully

 

[HERTS P&D]

With the OP having the intials RAC, I would advise taking the car for an MOT and have them repair the van. Or a trusted garage to repair the fault.

Andy

 

[Burnerman]

Is the drive shaft nut tight?
John

 

[ReganAndCarter]

Noise (as direction changes) from the mounting area.

Resistance felt as you steer. Possibly not returning to straight ahead position fully

Not aware of any steering problems, but will re-examine upper strut.

 

[ReganAndCarter]

With the OP having the intials RAC, I would advise taking the car for an MOT and have them repair the van. Or a trusted garage to repair the fault.

Andy

I'm not exactly the 5th emergency service. May drop into the local MOT place I use and ask them if they can have a look. I don't want to diagnose wrong myself and end up firing the parts cannon into it.

Either that or I just get so fecked off with it I just bite the bullet and get garage to do it. I need to do the outer CV boot anyway, because when one was fitted 2 years ago, they used one that's very stiff plastic that doesn't give or stretch very well. Seems to be pulling out of the clips when fully extended. Boot on other side is nice soft rubber and no problems. The boot is on it's third biggest clip now as the first two disappeared - both fitted by different people. The third one I put on myself very securely and already the boot has partly pulled out from under it and seeping grease.

 

[ReganAndCarter]

Is the drive shaft nut tight?
John

The 'R' clip is still in place. Have a 36mm thin wall socket coming in a day or two, so can check. Anyone know off hand what the torque is on these hub nuts - Fiat Scudo 2.0 JTD 2004?

Good shout though, as I imagine it would poss give the symptoms I'm getting.

 

[carmanmemoranda]

I'm not exactly the 5th emergency service. May drop into the local MOT place I use and ask them if they can have a look. I don't want to diagnose wrong myself and end up firing the parts cannon into it.

Either that or I just get so fecked off with it I just bite the bullet and get garage to do it. I need to do the outer CV boot anyway, because when one was fitted 2 years ago, they used one that's verys stiff plastic that doesn't give or stretch very well. Seems to be pulling out of the clips when fully extended. One on other side is nice soft rubber and no problems. The boot is on it's third biggest clip now as the first two disappeared - both fitted by different people. The third one I put on myself and already the boot has partly pulled out from under it and seeping grease.

I never use those hard plastic boots, nightmare to keep secure.

Well worth getting it on a ramp and let an experienced eye have a look

 

[carmanmemoranda]

The 'R' clip is still in place. Have a 36mm thin wall socket coming in a day or two, so can check. Anyone know off hand what the torque is on these hub nuts - Fiat Scudo 2.0 JTD 2004?

Good shout though, as I imagine it would poss give the symptoms I'm getting.

Don't know it off hand but usually FT

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Possibly (and if you're up for a DIY repair) an MOT would pick it up if you can't find anything obvious. But I did this once and it sailed through despite a very definite knock whe driving.

Strut top bearings, are not part of the MOT. A failing bearing is not a reason for MOT failure.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Not aware of any steering problems, but will re-examine upper strut.

Strut top bearings, take the entire weight of that corner of the car, via the spring/strut. When they fail, as you turn the steering, they are designed to turn. When the fail, they rust up and seize, so instead of the bearing turning, the spring winds up, then suddenly the bearing turns with a jerk. The result is, you feel a slight jerk at the steering wheel, and maybe hear a twang noise from the spring as the tension releases.