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VE Calais 2006 - 'Clunk' noise

Banicks

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G'day All,

I have a VE Calais 2006 (Auto 6cyl). Haven't had any issues except a dead battery for no apparent reasons, fixed now though.

Recently when I'm traveling along at any speed, if i go over a pothole or bump a 'clunk' metal on metal noise sounds from underneath the car.

It is becoming nerve wracking, as metal on metal never sounds good at all. The only possible reasons behind this that I can think of is:

-Suspension
-Springs
-Engine mount

It's out of warranty, so I'm dreading any costs involved in putting it into Holden for 'servicing' which is usually little more than guess work and me spending more money on parts to replace what they think it might be until they get it right.

Has anyone experienced something like this and can pinpoint the issue or make recommendations?
 

bladerunner

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g'day bud. the clunk noise could be any of the 3 you have mentioned. early ve's were known for snapping eng mounts with the 6 cyl models especially.i think from memory a service bulletin was issued for this problem (mounts) as well. all ve's suffer from crap strut top bushes, mine were fcuked at 8000km and ive owned two ve's, both were replaced with aftermarket bushes about the same time. the springs should have a plastic protective anti rattle wrap around the top coils that can be a cause as well if for some but unlikely reason the springs have moved out of their captive mountings. the only way to find out is to stick it on a hoist and have a look really.
 
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Banicks

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Cheers mate. I'm not much of a mechanic - I can do my own basic service, I think if I jacked it up I still wouldn't be able to tell right from wrong unless it was completely broken or something.

I ducked across to Holden near me just then for my lunch and had a chat with one of the service girls, she went along the same as a possibility as you mentioned. Focused on struts or covers and some such.

I just basically said how much am I up for to put it in and get it fixed, she, optimistically said $400 or there abouts to fix front struts or something along those lines - fairly certain she left labour out of that estimate. My gut feeling says it'll be twice that until it's fixed if I'm lucky. What a bugger to have this happen a year out of warranty.

It got me into a conversation with her, that they cant guarantee these parts last a lifetime. Just rather bamboozled that they want to say that, I don't find it decent that a part is accepted to fail within 5 years off the line, makes me wonder that if i did pay to have it fixed, would it occur again in another 5 years time? I know its a question that cant be answered, but I'm thinking about trading it in with the existing issue and getting myself a HSV Senator Z instead - heard the Z's have little to no problems.

Got some thinking to do! Thanks :)
 

VTSS350

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Why take it back to Holden?

I dont even take my MY10 SV6 to holden for services. They are ROBBERS!

Take it to a local mechanic and they will do a much better job and charge you half the price!
 

SUSPEC

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your clunking sound will most likley be the swaybar link rods or bush's, V6 ve has a common problem of that noise, i had it twice in my sv6 and it was the swaybar links
 

Banicks

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Why take it back to Holden?

I dont even take my MY10 SV6 to holden for services. They are ROBBERS!

Take it to a local mechanic and they will do a much better job and charge you half the price!

I usually take it to Holden because of the service updates and the simple fact they know and usually only service my kind of car. So any known issues would easily be picked up on...in theory.

your clunking sound will most likley be the swaybar link rods or bush's, V6 ve has a common problem of that noise, i had it twice in my sv6 and it was the swaybar links

Twice! In what period of time did that happen mate?
 

Portunio

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The Ve has had numerous front end suspension revisions over its production due to numerous complaints of suspensions knocks, early ones are especially common for this. Common faults include faulty engine mounts, strut top bushes and bearings, sway bar 'D' bushes and most commonly they fit rubber pads between the spring and spring seat on the strut.
You're best off taking it to holden, as they'll be able to tell you which revised suspension components your car has fitted, if any and from there you can discuss any solutions.
 

pjdm1980

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I would talk to Holden and findout what revisions your car has had and then use that information to choose your next move with a suspension specialist "not Holden" as they're usually cheaper and more
Knowledgeable about their trade!
If Holden were that smart they would have picked it up during testing or designed it better.
 

TinSnips

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I usually take it to Holden because of the service updates and the simple fact they know and usually only service my kind of car. So any known issues would easily be picked up on...in theory.

Sadly, it often doesn't work like that. With all the labour time restrictions imposed on them and the number of boneheads working there (not directed at any of the techs on this forum, for the record) they often have a hard time diagnosing faults. From what I understand they will run through the series of techline fixes first, which is great if that's the issue, but a massive delay if it isn't. I've had a lot of things revised/replaced on my ute that actually had nothing to do with the issues.
 
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