clunk coming from front right wheel when turning

[brisbane_vt]

hey guys. you were really helpful with my diff servicing question and I hope the commodore experts here can help me diagnose.

when turning at low speed I hear a clunk about 50% of the time coming from about the wheel area, it sounds bloody awful. its not a clicking noise or anything like that, just a violent sounding clunk. any ideas?

[TrikkBen]

Could be a broke sway bar linkage.

Have a look under the wheel, mounted to the strut with 2 bushes should be a thin 10 inch or so bar connecting to a larger bar (sway bar) with another 2 bushes. See if the link is still in one peice

Sometimes they break and when turning knock each other.

Ben

[Rhin0o8]

This is what youre looking for as suggested by TrikkBen

I do also agree this is the first place to look

Marked with the Arrows in the picture ( Its a picture on a VS, But is the same principle as the VT )

[Mirkz]

I've got a bit of a clunk coming from the front, sounds almost like it's from a similar area or more in the steering itself.
only every so often though and it's a solid clunk.

My sway bars links, power steering and shocks/springs have all been replaced in the last 2 months or so, any other things to look for?
(will obviously check the sway bar links etc again just in case). (dont mean to hijack thread, but may have some relevance to what you're looking for also)

[MikeCuzzy]

I've got a bit of a clunk coming from the front, sounds almost like it's from a similar area or more in the steering itself.
only every so often though and it's a solid clunk.

My sway bars links, power steering and shocks/springs have all been replaced in the last 2 months or so, any other things to look for?
(will obviously check the sway bar links etc again just in case). (dont mean to hijack thread, but may have some relevance to what you're looking for also)

Suspension mounts/bearings? That's what it was on mine.

[brisbane_vt]

Could be a broke sway bar linkage.

Have a look under the wheel, mounted to the strut with 2 bushes should be a thin 10 inch or so bar connecting to a larger bar (sway bar) with another 2 bushes. See if the link is still in one peice

Sometimes they break and when turning knock each other.

Ben

i will check it out tomorrow. how dangerous is it to drive like this if you are correct?

[MikeCuzzy]

i will check it out tomorrow. how dangerous is it to drive like this if you are correct?

Your handling suffers, and if you have a prang it could throw up some issues with insurance. Be careful in otherwords, get it fixed asap if the sway bar link is gone.

[fitz_vt]

Id. look at a few things .
One. What the first few posters suggested Sway bar links if theyre broken ,bent or incorrectly installed they will clink upon steering as the sway bar bushes have metal washers on them and they move out of alignment hence the clunk. another way to test this is to find a very bumpy road paticularly with manholes covers in the road that have sunk if you run over them and it makes a clunk noise or as rather rough its a suspension issue
Two. If its comming from the steering area check your tie rod ends if the boots are deteriorated then these will make a clunck noise as they arent properly lubicated.

IMPORTANT* if you have suspension components that are broken or faulty your vehicles handling will not be 100% this can cause alot of issues in handling and traction for your vehicle. in other words you can cause more damage by leaving it.

[brisbane_vt]

well I got under there and had a really good look. Everything look in place except for a bit of rubber coming out of the right sway bar bush and it came off really easily. So I reckon thats prolly it?

[Rhin0o8]

Youre probably right

You could pick up a pair of link pins and bushes from an auto shop
Noelathene or white line i think are the brand names about $30

30 minute job to replace yourself

[brisbane_vt]

Thanks for all the help guys. I knew immediately where to look thanks to this forum. Wish you could all have a beer on me!

[Mirkz]

I changed the bearings on the struts etc when I changed it over.

[Rhin0o8]

@ Mirks.

Does your clunk occur whilst braking ?

Or turning into a driveway or when the suspension needs to level itself?

[Mirkz]

sometimes.. it only ever does it if I'm turning into a corner etc, sometimes it doesnt even do it for a while.
heard it quite loudly tonight with the window down, even the missus asked what it was.

[])R@G()N]

My Moneys on the ball joint is your problem.

[REDNUT 80]

ive heard a rumour that the ball joints are rivited on and the rivets can wear, causeing a clunk, im about to have my mechanic put new ball joints in mine as i have a faint knock, im also planing on new d bushes on the swaybar as they are the only thing i havent replaced in the last 4 months

[Rhin0o8]

@ Mirks

Have you replaced any of the Bushes in the front end?
Check my attached picture at the start of the thread for reference

It may be Control arm Bushes marked with the Triangle and Square in picture above

[Mirkz]

Rhin0o8, haven't replaced any of those, so will probably have a good look tomorrow if I can. Might have to pick me up a bush kit to freshen up the front end a bit.

Either way, will try get the car up on the jack tomorrow to have a look underneath and see if I can locate!

[Mirkz]

Okay took a quick look this morning.
only got an old crappy jack to use, no stands/ramps etc so couldn't have a good look.

Here's a couple of pics, I noticed the sway bar(?) seemed to be sitting high on the link bush leaving a decent gap, but I'm not sure if this is because the car was on an angle and the wheel still slightly touching the ground.

Also found an oil leak that I'll have to look into Oil leaks make me sad haha









Also...
is this the starter motor ??? If not, what is it?


and the oil leak.. just need to find it's source.

[justbad4you]

take it to pedders for a 14 buck check

hey guys. you were really helpful with my diff servicing question and I hope the commodore experts here can help me diagnose.

when turning at low speed I hear a clunk about 50% of the time coming from about the wheel area, it sounds bloody awful. its not a clicking noise or anything like that, just a violent sounding clunk. any ideas?

[])R@G()N]

I have been under my one today with the camera too, and I have the chunk also (left hand side)

This is were I think its coming from




Look at the size of that gap !! and there is only a rubber mount bush there.

[calais24/7]

i know im thread digging, but guess what, i have the same fkn problem, just got my car back on the road after a gearbox reco and its giving me the shits. no shops are open atm obviously. and there is nothing underneath that looks broken, tried moving things sway bar etc and i cant get it to do it

[MR_VX]

i also have to, ive replaced a heap of rubbers witch i was told could be the problem but its not. Next ill replace the power steering rack as its leaking any way.

[calais24/7]

i have a feeling mine is a wheel bearing? cause i also have another vibration/ noise, can wheel bearings clunk when there fkd?

[VTS5]

i have a feeling mine is a wheel bearing? cause i also have another vibration/ noise, can wheel bearings clunk when there fkd?

No they dont,only constant winding noise which increase or decrease with the speed.