Weird Knocking Noise Front Suspension At Very Low Speed

Phoole

Car: 2007 Clio 197 - 40,000 miles

I have a noise coming from my front (right) suspension when I move off slowly in first gear or reverse out my drive. It sounds like an old rusty spring stretching and contracting. However, I had the front springs replaced and the noise disappeared for a few days but its slowly come back and is worse again now.

Today I jacked up the car and as I was jacking it up I could hear the same noise (slower obviously) as the spring expanded but couldn't pin-point it to anything. When I put my ear closer it definitely sounds like its coming from the spring/shock absorber area.

Any thoughts guys?

martinr5232

Possibly a strut bearing on top of the spring.

Chemical Byrne

Yeah probably a creaky balljoint or or pivot or something like that. I wouldn't worry about it.
I have an 04 almera and something like that has been creaking away the last year and a half or so. Went through 2 NCTs and nothing said about it.

Phoole

martinr5232 wrote: »

Possibly a strut bearing on top of the spring.

Chemical Byrne wrote: »

Yeah probably a creaky balljoint or or pivot or something like that. I wouldn't worry about it.
I have an 04 almera and something like that has been creaking away the last year and a half or so. Went through 2 NCTs and nothing said about it.

Thanks guys. The noise is quite prominent and is really annoying. Are these things pricey to replace?

Chemical Byrne

A track rod end started creaking in my previous car. I solved it by making a pinhole in the rubber gaiter and sticking in the straw of a WD-40 can and giving it a shot. Never squeaked again! Might be worth a shot if it's a balljoint.

martinr5232

Chemical Byrne wrote:

A track rod end started creaking in my previous car. I solved it by making a pinhole in the rubber gaiter and sticking in the straw of a WD-40 can and giving it a shot. Never squeaked again! Might be worth a shot if it's a balljoint.

Dont ever do this if a ball joint is noisey its because its worn also rubber boots should not have holes in them.

martinr5232

Phoole wrote:

Thanks guys. The noise is quite prominent and is really annoying. Are these things pricey to replace?

Phoole wrote:

Thanks guys. The noise is quite prominent and is really annoying. Are these things pricey to replace?

Get someone to turn your steering put your hand on the spring and see can you feel it bouncing it should turn smoothly from side to side.

Out of interest why did you have the springs replaced ??

Chemical Byrne

martinr5232 wrote: »

Dont ever do this if a ball joint is noisey its because its worn also rubber boots should not have holes in them.

It's grand. Car subsequently passed several NCT's no bother. If it was badly worn there would be play in it and the NCT would do you on it.

Boom_Bap

I have a 03 Corolla and it makes the same noise based on your description. I've had it looked at and nothing has been found.
It's whipped through a few NCTs with the noise, many a service and all is good.
Wouldn't worry about it too much.

Phoole

martinr5232 wrote: »

Get someone to turn your steering put your hand on the spring and see can you feel it bouncing it should turn smoothly from side to side.

Out of interest why did you have the springs replaced ??

The offside spring had a visible crack in it so I thought it best to replace them, plus I thought this noise was just the springs.

I'm not quite sure what the rounded peace the spring sits in to is called (part of the strut?) but the coating is slightly rusty. I got the car from the UK last year. The mechanic who changed the springs said they were fine but do you think that could be the issue? The spring could be moving around on rusted metal?

martinr5232

There is a bearing on the top of the spring that can give problems if you test it as i said it will tell you if thats your fault or not.