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DISCUSSION => Suspension => Topic started by: johna on June 20, 2006, 12:09:29 AM

Title: Suspension clunk
Post by: johna on June 20, 2006, 12:09:29 AM

When I manouver at slow speeds using a lot of steering lock I hear and feel a clunk somewhere from the front suspension or steering. Usually worse over bumps. It almost sounds like a spring related noise.

I have tried to reproduce the noise with the car at rest and if I turn the steering full lock either direction then push on the car I can hear a small clunk. If I push down again it won't happen again until I unwind some lock off then reapply some lock.

This has only happened since I had installed new Bilstein Sport/Sprint shocks and a second hand set of Kmac asjustable castor/camber strut tops.

I suspect the Kmacs may be at fault. Does anyone know if they can cause this problem?

I may want to remove the Kmacs and return to the factory strut tops and I was wondering how hard they are to replace? Is there room to just undo the top mounts with the car on stands and take them off without having to remove the strut completely?

Thanks.

Title: Suspension clunk
Post by: doigal on June 20, 2006, 01:05:35 AM

the strut has to be removed to do this unfortunatly... I've done a write up on it here and at ecca... Its not hard persay if you have the right tools - something to pop the ball joints and a spring compressor along with the usual sockets...

Title: Suspension clunk
Post by: M42boy on June 20, 2006, 01:09:20 AM

Check the upper strut collar nut first.  Mine was loose and making a "clunking" noise.  Put a 19mm on it and just check it.  Otherwise, it probably is the strut bearing.