Cause for concern?

[scc]

Hi chaps,

Recently, I've noticed now and then a sound coming from the bottom front drivers side of the car.

It sounds like the flexing of a metal panel, and it only occurs once during acceleration from stand still, and occasionally once during de-acceleration to stand still.

At first I thought it was a socket from a ratchet hitting a metal panel somewhere in the front, but there's nothing there.

Is this a cause for concern? Ball joint issues?

cheers,
scc

[AlanDITD]

Yeah it could be...

The ball joints on the lower arms i think it is are prone to failing..they creak before there about to go.

worth jacking the car up and checking for play....if it is them get them replaced asap!

[bradc]

Indeed it could be the ball joints, or possibly something else a bit loose in the suspension.

[Turbo_Steve]

Mine goes "clonk" on acceleration, and ocasionally does it on braking.
I've not got to the bottom of it either: initially I thought it was the brakes 'freeing off", but I've changed the pads and it still does it. I'm convinced it's a braking thing.



Mines been doing it for well over 3000 miles now.

[Beastlee]

Steve, sounds a little like my old car and that was the driver's side compression arm.

SCC, as said above, I would get the lateral arm checked ASAP just to be safe.

[scc]

Thanks!

I've also had it MOT'ed and they didn't pick anything up. I'll get it checked again.

Cheers,
scc

[orionn2o]

Mine goes "clonk" on acceleration, and ocasionally does it on braking.
I've not got to the bottom of it either: initially I thought it was the brakes 'freeing off", but I've changed the pads and it still does it. I'm convinced it's a braking thing.



Mines been doing it for well over 3000 miles now.

Sounds like one of your caliper bolts is loose? Worth a check..

[Atik]

I remember that problem on my car Steve. It turned out to be a loose caliper bolt as Matt has suggested. Worth a check.

[AlanDITD]

I also had this aswell.....its usually the carrier bolt not the caliper!

[orionn2o]

Yes apologies, I meant the caliper carrier bolt. On mine the top one was loose and it eventually fell out and caused me a load of grief!

We spent ages looking at top mounts and suspension parts!