Persistent knocking - diagnosis elusive

[Paulyrow]

Originally Posted by mcs

I would have a look at the sway bar links.

I noticed massive decreases in clunking after changing these shortly after I changed the upper control arms.

Unfortunately, the knocking came back so I was gearing up to check the struts. Until i looked under the car and found the sway bar link bolt in the bar had sheared off. Removing the sway bar completely (until the new one comes from germany) and taking the car for a drive eliminated all suspension noise on my car.

Mike

Thanks again for your suggestions. The sway (anti-roll bar) has been taken off completely and road tested and the knocking was still there. The car is being MOT’d on Tuesday 20th and having driven the car a few times since I started this post I am coming to the conclusion that it is predominantly the nearside front strut that is the source.

I am very likely going to invest in a front pair of struts as apart from this fault the car is excellent.

I have had D2’s previously, the best being a 3.7 quattro and although a D4 is an attractive proposition they do not look to me somehow as sleek and poised as their predecessors.

I will update the post in the next few weeks, thanks

[Prefferle]

Originally Posted by Paulyrow

Thanks again for your suggestions. The sway (anti-roll bar) has been taken off completely and road tested and the knocking was still there. The car is being MOT’d on Tuesday 20th and having driven the car a few times since I started this post I am coming to the conclusion that it is predominantly the nearside front strut that is the source.

I am very likely going to invest in a front pair of struts as apart from this fault the car is excellent.

I have had D2’s previously, the best being a 3.7 quattro and although a D4 is an attractive proposition they do not look to me somehow as sleek and poised as their predecessors.

I will update the post in the next few weeks, thanks

Hi Paulyrow, did you get around to replacing the struts? Is the noise gone? Cheers.

[dangerdred]

Originally Posted by Paulyrow

...since I started this post I am coming to the conclusion that it is predominantly the nearside front strut that is the source.

I am very likely going to invest in a front pair of struts as apart from this fault the car is excellent...

Why not just buy the offending corner?

[homer simpson]

^^This. Unlike normal springs, you can replace just the one corner

[ainarssems]

If there was anything wrong with the shock I would still be tempted to replace both sides.

That being said the fault has not been diagnosed and I would not be throwing huge amounts of money at the problem replacing parts and hoping that it will cure the it. I don't think you get many issues with struts other than air leaks either bag, o-rings or residual pressure valves all of which could be replaced for a lot less money than whole strut.

For all we know it could be lost nut, screw or socket rolling around somewhere making the noise. If it was me I would leave it alone and live with it after verifying that it is not something that affects safety.