'Clonk' when turning

jordy · 31-05-2007, 01:23 PM

My car has developed a clonk type sound when I turn which seems to be associated with the suspension.

I first noticed it when pulling into my Uni's carpark, seems to be when I turn and the suspension gets compressed on the left front. It also happens when I do something like take a roundabout quite fast, the body roll compresses the suspension enough to make it 'clonk'. This doesn't happen when I'm going straight and go over bumps, nor does it happen when I'm turning and I don't go over bumps. It's not a repeating 'clonk' either, it just does it once as the suspension travels past a certain point.

It's coming from the front left somewhere, but it sounds like it might be quite close to the middle, perhaps something to do with the steering rather than suspension. I also think I can feel it slightly through the steering wheel.

If I rock the steering wheel back and forth while the car is stationary it makes a similar sort of sound from the right wheel (possibly balljoint?, don't think it's related because it's from the other side), but if I try turning the front wheels by hand it wont do it. Wheel bearings seem fine also.

Where do you suggest I look for broken bits?

Oh, one last thing, I clipped a curb fairly hard a couple a months ago (moment of inattention entering a roundabout late at night), didn't seem to do any damage or put the alignment out ('clonk' has developed a few months after this happened), but it was on the side that seems to be making those noise.

Edit: Doesn't matter which way I turn, as long as the left front suspension is compressed past a certain point it will do it, going slow or otherwise.

bourbon · 31-05-2007, 01:35 PM

sway bar links possibly...

jordy · 31-05-2007, 02:41 PM

Everything I can reach in and grab behind the wheels seems fine. The noise sounds like it's coming from closer to the centre of the car than that...

Rupewrecht · 31-05-2007, 02:54 PM

Strut tops?

bourbon · 31-05-2007, 03:33 PM

most of the time while turnin if there is clunkin it is the sway bar link...take it to the mechanics to look at

jordy · 31-05-2007, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bourbon

most of the time while turnin if there is clunkin it is the sway bar link...take it to the mechanics to look at

Don't wanna pay :P

Gotta at least see if I can figure this out first. I'll get her up on ramps in the weekend and have a poke around. I think whatever is making the noise will require a bit more force than whatever I can do while I'm lying under car though... tracking it down could be a tricky one.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rupewrecht

Strut tops?

All the bolts are tight... can't see any issues there. Sounds like it's coming from down lower, at wheel level, but closer too the middle. Hmm, maybe it's gearbox mounts. I actually just remembered pulling away in first gear turning quite sharp the other day I got several clonks in a row as I got a little bit of tramp on some slippery roading.

mike_d87 · 31-05-2007, 05:57 PM

Strut tops have bearings in them, noise could be coming from the bearings

zappy65 · 31-05-2007, 08:06 PM

it could be your gear box mounts.....

89sp1.8 · 31-05-2007, 08:21 PM

yeah id say sway bar also..had broken mount and when ever turned hard or went over bump u could hear it bumping(clunk)

jordy · 01-06-2007, 12:35 PM

When you say broken mount, do you mean the end mounts of the swaybar, right by the wheels?

bourbon · 01-06-2007, 01:00 PM

yep thats the one...there 2 ball joints 1 each end and then a thin rod through the middle...

jordy · 01-06-2007, 07:26 PM

Yeah I didn't think it had any mountings in the middle. Swaybar mounts are fine. haven't checked the gearbox yet though.

It went clonk when I pulled off the road today, I wasn't even turning

mill_mobile · 05-07-2007, 07:05 PM

Any joys with this Jordy?
Sounds like my problem i have had ever since i have owned my Astina.
If you get it fixed/find what it is PLEASE let me know!
Ta
J

stewy · 05-07-2007, 07:09 PM

i have the same problem,

what i have found i think mine is the strut tops. this is because when i turn the top doesnt spin correctly and it winds the spring up a little then the compression of the sring turns the strut tops.

well thats what i think my problem is it might be yours aswell.

stewart

mill_mobile · 05-07-2007, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stewy

i have the same problem,

what i have found i think mine is the strut tops. this is because when i turn the top doesnt spin correctly and it winds the spring up a little then the compression of the sring turns the strut tops.

well thats what i think my problem is it might be yours aswell.

stewart

I have had my struts looked at and 'apparently' they were fine!

stewy · 06-07-2007, 07:42 PM

its easy to look for your self you just need two people.

jack the front of your car up and get someone to turn the steering wheel while you look at the spring. if it moves fine and the clonk isnt coming from the spring then it will be something else like the swaybar mounts.

jordy · 07-07-2007, 11:01 PM

Oh, haven't had a chance to check this one out yet. Been flat out with uni exams, work, work, work and a little bit of boozing.

I think it actually might be suspension bushes or the inside bushes on the ball joint thingy. I should get a chance to track it down this week. I'll keep ya posted.

31-05-2007, 01:23 PM	#1
jordy Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: New Zealand Car: '91 BG Posts: 230 View Photos By: jordy	'Clonk' when turning My car has developed a clonk type sound when I turn which seems to be associated with the suspension. I first noticed it when pulling into my Uni's carpark, seems to be when I turn and the suspension gets compressed on the left front. It also happens when I do something like take a roundabout quite fast, the body roll compresses the suspension enough to make it 'clonk'. This doesn't happen when I'm going straight and go over bumps, nor does it happen when I'm turning and I don't go over bumps. It's not a repeating 'clonk' either, it just does it once as the suspension travels past a certain point. It's coming from the front left somewhere, but it sounds like it might be quite close to the middle, perhaps something to do with the steering rather than suspension. I also think I can feel it slightly through the steering wheel. If I rock the steering wheel back and forth while the car is stationary it makes a similar sort of sound from the right wheel (possibly balljoint?, don't think it's related because it's from the other side), but if I try turning the front wheels by hand it wont do it. Wheel bearings seem fine also. Where do you suggest I look for broken bits? Oh, one last thing, I clipped a curb fairly hard a couple a months ago (moment of inattention entering a roundabout late at night), didn't seem to do any damage or put the alignment out ('clonk' has developed a few months after this happened), but it was on the side that seems to be making those noise. Edit: Doesn't matter which way I turn, as long as the left front suspension is compressed past a certain point it will do it, going slow or otherwise. __________________

31-05-2007, 01:35 PM	#2
bourbon The Hairy Mod Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: southside ya'll and North Side, Brissy Car: MINI Cooper S 2003 Posts: 8,110	sway bar links possibly... __________________ For All your crash repair panels & lights, clear lights contact us at PANEL HOUSE 45 RANDALL ST SLACKS CREEK QLD 4127 PHONE : 07 3808 8737 FAX : 07 3808 8735

31-05-2007, 02:41 PM	#3
jordy Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: New Zealand Car: '91 BG Posts: 230 View Photos By: jordy	Everything I can reach in and grab behind the wheels seems fine. The noise sounds like it's coming from closer to the centre of the car than that... __________________

31-05-2007, 02:54 PM	#4
Rupewrecht Administrator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: melb.vic.au Car: AZ-1, Astina Hardtop Turbo, BJ Protege, Beetle Posts: 16,525 View Photos By: Rupewrecht	Strut tops? __________________ jdmparts.rupewrecht.com Sourcing your not-quite-overnight parts from Japan WRECHT--\|--SLOWTEGE--\|--BEETLE--\|--SUBSTITUTE--\|--AZ-1

31-05-2007, 03:33 PM	#5
bourbon The Hairy Mod Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: southside ya'll and North Side, Brissy Car: MINI Cooper S 2003 Posts: 8,110	most of the time while turnin if there is clunkin it is the sway bar link...take it to the mechanics to look at __________________ For All your crash repair panels & lights, clear lights contact us at PANEL HOUSE 45 RANDALL ST SLACKS CREEK QLD 4127 PHONE : 07 3808 8737 FAX : 07 3808 8735

31-05-2007, 05:57 PM	#7
mike_d87 AstinaGT Regular Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Newcastle Car: Astina Posts: 481 View Photos By: mike_d87	Strut tops have bearings in them, noise could be coming from the bearings

31-05-2007, 08:06 PM	#8
zappy65 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: SE Brissy Car: Old: 1989 DOHC Mazda 323 New: Nissan 180SX Type X Posts: 2,135 View Photos By: zappy65	it could be your gear box mounts..... __________________ Today you will die and then you will know what it feels like to live... Straights Are For Fast Cars, Corners Are For Fast Drivers: Colin McRae Visit My Ride: http://www.astinagt.com/forums/vbpic...?do=view&g=319 Come see my deviantness....hehe http://dawnblade.deviantart.com/

31-05-2007, 08:21 PM	#9
89sp1.8 Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: brisbane Car: bg astina Posts: 1,186	yeah id say sway bar also..had broken mount and when ever turned hard or went over bump u could hear it bumping(clunk)

01-06-2007, 12:35 PM	#10
jordy Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: New Zealand Car: '91 BG Posts: 230 View Photos By: jordy	When you say broken mount, do you mean the end mounts of the swaybar, right by the wheels? __________________

01-06-2007, 01:00 PM	#11
bourbon The Hairy Mod Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: southside ya'll and North Side, Brissy Car: MINI Cooper S 2003 Posts: 8,110	yep thats the one...there 2 ball joints 1 each end and then a thin rod through the middle... __________________ For All your crash repair panels & lights, clear lights contact us at PANEL HOUSE 45 RANDALL ST SLACKS CREEK QLD 4127 PHONE : 07 3808 8737 FAX : 07 3808 8735

01-06-2007, 07:26 PM	#12
jordy Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: New Zealand Car: '91 BG Posts: 230 View Photos By: jordy	Yeah I didn't think it had any mountings in the middle. Swaybar mounts are fine. haven't checked the gearbox yet though. It went clonk when I pulled off the road today, I wasn't even turning __________________

05-07-2007, 07:05 PM	#13
mill_mobile Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Hobart, Tasmania Car: 98 BJ Posts: 674 View Photos By: mill_mobile	Any joys with this Jordy? Sounds like my problem i have had ever since i have owned my Astina. If you get it fixed/find what it is PLEASE let me know! Ta J __________________

05-07-2007, 07:09 PM	#14
stewy Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: perth wa Car: BG Astina and BG sedan(BPT) Posts: 164 View Photos By: stewy	i have the same problem, what i have found i think mine is the strut tops. this is because when i turn the top doesnt spin correctly and it winds the spring up a little then the compression of the sring turns the strut tops. well thats what i think my problem is it might be yours aswell. stewart __________________ 2003 VY Commo new daily 1991 BG Sedan - Weekender === BPT (Garrett T2871r, Autronic SMC, 500cc injectors, FMIC, Forged Internals, Custom BIG front brakes Rx7 4-pot, Coilovers, Tuned at 250whp with lazy valve springs) She's a weapon.

06-07-2007, 07:42 PM	#16
stewy Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: perth wa Car: BG Astina and BG sedan(BPT) Posts: 164 View Photos By: stewy	its easy to look for your self you just need two people. jack the front of your car up and get someone to turn the steering wheel while you look at the spring. if it moves fine and the clonk isnt coming from the spring then it will be something else like the swaybar mounts. __________________ 2003 VY Commo new daily 1991 BG Sedan - Weekender === BPT (Garrett T2871r, Autronic SMC, 500cc injectors, FMIC, Forged Internals, Custom BIG front brakes Rx7 4-pot, Coilovers, Tuned at 250whp with lazy valve springs) She's a weapon.

07-07-2007, 11:01 PM	#17
jordy Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: New Zealand Car: '91 BG Posts: 230 View Photos By: jordy	Oh, haven't had a chance to check this one out yet. Been flat out with uni exams, work, work, work and a little bit of boozing. I think it actually might be suspension bushes or the inside bushes on the ball joint thingy. I should get a chance to track it down this week. I'll keep ya posted. __________________