Front Suspension Knock/Thud

Demons1964 · #1 25-05-2005, 11:06 AM

My WHII Stato has a knock coming from the driver's side front. I had the radius rod bushes replaced but it's still there. The sound comes only when going over bumps and potholes (does it both in a straight line and turning), but fortunately I can replicate it while the car is stationary. While pressing down with my weight on the fender there is no noise. As soon as I release my weight and the strut comes back up there is immediately a dull thud. This thud is occurring within the first quarter of the suspension travel only on its way up. I'm thinking it's the shocker but would prefer not to just throw money at the problem. Anyone have any other ideas as to what it could be?

snafu · #2 25-05-2005, 11:21 AM

I would say that you have hit the nail on the head with the shocker... There is not to much in the front end that will clunk by using body weight... I could be wrong but without having a look for myself its a bit hard to diagnose

... If you didn't already say that you replaced your link rods and rubbers I would say it was that... Also check the bolts arount the strut tower just in case they have some how come loose... I don't think that would be it but check just the same...

Hope this helps...
steve

markovr · #3 25-05-2005, 02:41 PM

Does the car have stock front springs?

Demons1964 · #4 26-05-2005, 08:27 AM

Yep, bog stock all round.

markovr · #5 26-05-2005, 09:10 AM

Here's what I found with a clunk in my suspension ,check out this thread It annoyed me for weeks before I fixed it...don't know if it applies to you but its just a thought.
Worked for me.

Demons1964 · #6 26-05-2005, 03:39 PM

Thanks for that markovr but I'm pretty sure it's not the springs, only because the noise occurs when the springs are decompressing. When I'm bouncing the car, and I put my hand on the gland nut on top of the strut I can feel a pulse coming through when the car is on it's way up. I can't feel it so much on the top rubber, and on the strut tower I can't feel it at all. It's looking more and more like the shocker is gone. If this one is replaced, will the shocker on the other side wear more? i.e. Is it best to get them both replaced at the same time?

markovr · #7 26-05-2005, 05:29 PM

The experience with shockers that are rooted is that if you push on that side of the car on the shock tower with the bonnet up so you don't dint any bodywork and release it bounces up and down.
If it is good it just comes straight back to normal height.Usually one side goes before the other so the above test gives different symptoms one side to the other.
Normally they are replaced together as different age and type shocks give different dampening effects and it is desireable to have everything even.If your old ones are factory they are probably past their use by date anyway.

Demons1964 · #8 27-05-2005, 09:09 AM

Shocker performed ok on the bounce test, so I had my mechanic try to diagnose the fault. He could actually feel the knock through the spring and in playing with the spring while the car was bouncing he was actually able to move the spring in its seat!! As he was moving the spring forwards the knock disappeared completely and when he moved it backwards the knock was heaps louder. It's booked in tomorrow and hopefully it's just an assembly fault from the factory and not much needs replacement.

I'm up for a big bill over the last week:
WH had the driver's power window regulator replaced, radius rod bushes and now this spring problem. The VS is currently having the diff replaced

. Total for both cars = $1700. Thankfully I repair/service the VC at home and nothing's wrong with it!!