VT knock / click from engine/steering

[ashtonwright]

Calling all commodore gods.

Keen to know your opinions, my VT has a knocking/clicking noise, primarily when I take off or turn a corner at lower speeds.

It feels like a steering rack issue perhaps but then I read up about engine mounts....

The cars done 290,000 and has been well looked after however rack hasn't been done in a long time.... If ever, I'll need to check logbook.

If you have an idea of what this might be id love to hear your thoughts!

Thanks in advance team!!

Cheers

Ash

 

[Turtl3]

Is it definitely coming from the front of the car. If it is, its probably a bush/suspension issue. Is it a repetitive clicking or just one solid clunk?

 

[ashtonwright]

Thanks for your reply,

Definitely front end, feels like low front end.... Happens as often when going straight as it does around corners. Low speed typically....

If it's a bush which bush do you think it might be? Did the control arms etc a few months back but should all be nice and tight still...

Could it be an engine mount noise?

 

[Turtl3]

No i cant see an engine mount causing that sort of a noise. Jack the car up and go over everything to check for movement. Could even be the ball joints on the end of the steering rack

 

[Jxfwsf]

How many k's on the dial?

At slow speeds (bit over walking speed), get a friend to help, creep it forward and hit the brakes, get them to watch the front wheel(s), do they move back alot in the wheel arch?

 

[Turtl3]

Like this...
https://www.google.com.au/url?sa=t&...V-frHKoKYXXJnCb4A&sig2=r-lqfjraf-i3PJiDzIdwbA

 

[ashtonwright]

290k now, she's getting on!

The noise is normally a clunk or couple it little clunks. Bit clicky after bigger clunks sometimes. Haha sounds stupid but that's the best way to describe it!

Ok great thanks for your link, I had replace all the front end bushes 6 months ago, but not the struts. Perhaps I need to tightened them... Would the ball joints make that much of a noise on the steering rack?

Is a noise like this dangerous to drive around on?

Thanks for the help guys

 

[devilly]

if it's the steering rack it will feel heavier when driving it and make a whining sound,check fluid colour and level.

check out the noises it makes as you slowly go over a speed bump.thinking struts need replacing.

also when on flat level ground have a look at the distance from wheel tread to guard,check both front wheels ,i'll try and give you a pic to explain this.

heres the pic so you just see in these spots how many fingers you can stick in and then check the other side

this is the picture of when i worked out it was moving toward the front of car and found front bush split in half.

 

[billythakid]

Link pins are cactus check the top especially bottom bush they magically dissapear after breaking

 

[ashtonwright]

Thanks guys, I'll check her out tomorrow and if need be swap the bushes out... Bloody wheel alignments though... Wish I could do that myself!