clunky left front on a vt wagon

[surfdog]

Hi crew

I own a 1998 vt wagon. Of late I have hada clunk in what I think is the suspension on the front left hand side.

I have had the linkpin replaced, the sway bars and rubbers replaced,the body struts tightened and the engine mountings replaced.

These have made little effect on the clunk.

I only get it bably first thing in the morning as I am heading out my drive way. Always and only on the left. I get it a bit over bumpy roads. Most of the time I get nothing when the car is running straight and true. If the car goes over a speed hump, I get nothing as both wheels go over at the same time. It seems to clunk when one wheel (front left) goes over and the other does not.

It has me baffled. I am hoping some of the gurus on the site can help. I have a feeling it may have something to do with the tower bearing. But I don't know.

I hope someone can help

Cheers

Surfdog

[Shounak]

Try the tie rod end

[Sabbath']

Have you had the problem diagnosed? Or have you just come up with different things to change off your own back?

[surfdog]

Dear Shounak,

Haven't spoken to the mechanic about a tie rod end. Shall let him know. Another idea and thing to look at. Cool Thanks for the suggestion.

Dear DarkVL
If it had been diagnosed I wouldn't be having this conversation. I am guided by the mechanic that I use. I saw him Monday and we went for a ride and heard the clunking. The struts that are connected to the subframe were tightened. I'm just looking for alternatives, hoping someone who owns a VT has had the same problem. So, any ideas would be appreciated.

[Sabbath']

Maybe take the car to a suspension specialist. If you're paying full price for labour and parts for a mechanic to stab in the dark at a problem you're going to come out with a big $$$ for what might be a simple fix

[vnv8driver]

just becasue the sway bar pin rubbers have been replaced doesnt mean there ok, ive seen many link pins snapped and/or rubbers come off within a day due to mis-fitment.

[BOGANV8]

something else to try it the top mounts of the strut

under the bonnet where the strut towers are there are 2 metal discs try turning these by hand if they do then i would say the rubber bearing support has collaped and need replacing also replace the bearing while your there..

Had a simliar noise in my car and it turn out to be these rubber supports they collapse over time so it can lead to knocking

under shot of it




here it is collapsed



the little ridge you see should be bout 15-20mm not 5mm

[surfdog]

Thank you BOGANV8. I did what you said and sure enough I could turn it with my hand. That seems to be the problem. Next questions are where do I get new ones from at a reasonable price. I live on the sunshine coast, QLD. And the other next question is are they difficult to replace. Any tips or how-tos would be appreciated.

Thanks again

Surfdog

[BOGANV8]

Yeah i got mine from Holden not to badly priced i did get a discount cause i in the trade but still were not over the topin price..

You can get nolathane ones from repco and such but i was told they are to hard and give a rough ride but up too you..


Not are hard job but as i said i am in the trade with access to a hoist and tools so that made it easier

jack up the car take the wheel off and remove the 2 lower bolts that bolt the strut to the stub axle and also remove the link pin... Then remove brake caliper and twist the hose 90 deg so that the hose slides outta the holder where its attached to the strut... Then from up top remove the nut that holds that plate on while holding the strut and then remove strut from car..


You will need a set of spring compressors and compress the spring once the spring is loose and flopping around remove the top nut and pull it all apart keeping an i eye which way everything comes off and replace what is U/S and then refit everything in reverse..

P.S It can be hard to take the nuts off the shock as the shock shaft turns at the same time so a rattle gun helps with this as it kinda shocks the nut off..

Will attach some page from my gregorys when they finish uploading

[BOGANV8]

pic 1 as promised





pic 2 as promised



Dont know if they will help but it might

Cheers dave

[surfdog]

BOGANV8 thankyou so much for your help. I appreciate the effort you have put in. Thanks for the pics from the Gregorys, very helpful. I'll have to get some spring compressors. I have all the other gear. Last time I did this job was on my VC commodore, so it's been a while. I'm a bit rusty.

Thanks again

Surfdog

[BOGANV8]

Thats ok if you get stuck just shoot a reply here and let us know how you go


One thing i can say is just make sure the spring compressors are on properly when you tighten them so as they dont pop off spriing goes flying.....

[surfdog]

Don't worry Dave. I'll be putting those spring compressors on good and tight. Thanks again

Dennis

[BOGANV8]

how did ya go with it all fixed....