front wheel clonking revisited

Post by **Nimrod** » Wed Aug 09, 2006 11:47 am

had all the front suspension checked by a garage that specialises in classic cars - no play in anything. Had all the rear suspension bushes renewed as they were all shot. The clonk is still there! Any other thoughts as to what it might be? (Doesn't happen all the time........)

Post by **57traveller** » Wed Aug 09, 2006 1:37 pm

You say all, but did they check the tie rod/bar bushes and their security. ie. the rods, ffront to back direction which connect the lower front suspension arm to the chassis rail. Could only be making the noise depending on the braking effort being applied. A clonk is difficult to describe though and sounds can transmit through bodywork quite readily and even confuse front and rear.

Post by **Nimrod** » Wed Aug 09, 2006 2:27 pm

yes the tie-bar bushes have been renewed.....it's a bit like two pieces of 4 x 2 knocking together is the best way I can describe it. Seems to happen when the front wheel hits either a pot hole or a sharp raised bump......

Post by **chrisd87** » Wed Aug 09, 2006 2:56 pm

I have a similar 'clonk' to the one you describe. There doesn't seem to be anything wrong and it's been through 2 MOTs like that, so I've just learned to ignore it!

Post by **blueangelical** » Wed Aug 09, 2006 3:16 pm

bearings...?

Post by **Nimrod** » Wed Aug 09, 2006 3:43 pm

blueangelical wrote:bearings...?

Don't think so......that was one of the things checked by the garage, there's no play there so shouldn't be worn.

Post by **Nimrod** » Wed Aug 09, 2006 3:44 pm

chrisd87 wrote:I have a similar 'clonk' to the one you describe. There doesn't seem to be anything wrong and it's been through 2 MOTs like that, so I've just learned to ignore it!

ROTFL! Maybe that's what I'll do, until something breaks!

Post by **ColinP** » Wed Aug 09, 2006 4:05 pm

I know this sounds like a long shot but:-

I had a clonk from the front N/side -usually when driving over a step edge - like a 1" manhole cover depression, but ocassionally at other times...

This persisted through king pin renewal, eyebolt bush renemal, all the other bushes. The tie bar is also chacked and found ok (and through 3 MOTs)

About 3 weeks ag, I discovered that the N/S damper needed oil - obut 35-40 mls (and it has been checked regularly).
It now seems to be drinking about 20 ml oil per week...
And today it's at ESM for replacement (and some more tlc - about 2 weeks worth).
Maybe you should look at the damper?

Colin

Post by **Kevin** » Wed Aug 09, 2006 4:16 pm

Dont forget to try Willies recent discovery as well as that is a real teaser.
http://www.morrisminoroc.co.uk/index.ph ... ic&t=11812

Post by **Dominic** » Wed Aug 09, 2006 5:54 pm

I'd second that comment regarding damper oil. I too have had a rather unpleasant "clonking" from nearside Front wheel area. Last night I discovered in fact the damper oil level was in fact low, after talking to the ever helpful Bill of MGM spares. I topped it up with jack oil, now much quieter! I'll be replacing the dampers soon I guess, along with the rest of the bushes!

Post by **blueangelical** » Wed Aug 09, 2006 8:49 pm

Is there anybody locked in your boot....? And all you can hear are their distant thumps of desperation.

Post by **minor_hickup** » Wed Aug 09, 2006 9:39 pm

I also have this clonking, damper oil is fine, bushes changed recently, everything seems good and tight yet its still clonking!

Post by **bmcecosse** » Wed Aug 09, 2006 10:16 pm

Jack and wheel brace banging about in the boot ? Seat belt buckle knocking against the B pillar ?

Post by **minor_hickup** » Wed Aug 09, 2006 10:52 pm

No its definately the front nearside wheel area, I'll see if changing the damper sorts it when i get round to it, i forgot to mention the top trunion bushes are the only front bushes that haven't been changed.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Wed Aug 09, 2006 11:08 pm

Ahhhhh - they are the important ones - be SURE to get poly bushes for this - make a big difference. Easy enough to change - Bull Motif do them quite inexpensively.

Post by **minor_hickup** » Wed Aug 09, 2006 11:20 pm

I will given the horror stories of modern rubber components, besides the other bushes are poly so it makes sense to follow suite. I'll get some from ESM tomorrow as I'm going that way.

Post by **MikeNash** » Thu Aug 10, 2006 8:18 am

Hope the new bushes fix it, Nimrod - but if all the obvious checks don't stop the noise then you've only the unexpected left. As a long shot, I suggest you consider the steering rack. I've just changed mine and the elimination of rattles and bonks is a great delight. My point is though, the noises came from right across the front rather than just in front of your feet, the whole firewall acting as a sounding board.
If you do suspect the rack, don't bother to adjust it. I've done this, but the wear internally was so uneven that I couldn't really trim it out. And they're only about £40 exchange (Bull Motif) so it is definitely not worth it.
regards, MikeN.

Post by **Willie** » Thu Aug 10, 2006 10:04 am

Nimrod, I assume you have checked that the noise is not from the lower rear
area of the front wing? This is a common source of noise on the Minor because there is a small bracket there which is supposed to be bent into a position which keeps the bottom area of the wing in the correct position( it
is behind the outer surface right near the bottom). If this bracket has not been set properly you can get some quite loud clunks over bumps. Just tap
the bottom of the wing sharply, you will soon know if that is the culprit.