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[MV62960]

Hello,

I'm have an on going issue with my MV6, it makes a knocking noise. This happens when I am turning right -and only once the car is warmed up and I have been using it for an hour or so. I've replaced the tie rods, down link and swing arm, only the center rod is original. But still the car knocks quite loudly and can be felt though the steering wheel when it happens. I sounds like it is coming from the left hand side of the car, but cannot be heard when the car is still. The shock absorbers seem to function correctly, so don't know what else it could be or can find reference of the same issue on this site.

Thank you.

[hotel21]

If you are turning right and the noise appears then the left side of the car is under load (body movement) and thus its there you must look.

IF you have checked and eliminated wishbones, drop links and steering components then, logically, all thats really left is the wheel bearing.

Jack up the car on the front left corner and secure it on an axle stand.

Grab and move the wheel back and forth at the 3 oclock/9 oclock position and try to move the wheel as though steering into and out of a corner.  You are feeling for lost movement.

Repeat at the 12 and 6 positions.  Again, looking for lost movement or 'looseness'.

Have an assistant place their foot on the foot brake and repeat 3/9 and 12/6.  If the movement you felt is still evident and the same with the footbrake applied, the 'looseness' is in the steering linkage somewhere or the suspension components.  If it disappears, its the wheelbearing thats fubar.

By applying the footbrake you are locking the wheel and hub to the suspension arm and eliminating potential free play in the wheel bearing.  Hopefully, that makes some sense...

 

[sandune]

Hiya ,hotel21 eloquently has given the answer to the symptoms you're having.
I second that.

[MV62960]

Hello,

Thank you for your help, you are very comprehensive! I will have a go with the car jacked up. Thought about wheel bearings, but the noise is only 1 'clunk'. If you drive along a straight road, once the car is warmed up and swerve from left to right, you hear (and feel) 1 clunk every time you turn right. I hope it isn't the wishbones they look beyond my abilities to change. I also wasn't completely honest with the tie rods, I've changed the drivers side ones and have only purchased the passenger side one, so do need to fit that first, then move onto the bigger bits of suspension.
I am thankful for your help though and will advise.

[Entwood]

Hello,

Thank you for your help, you are very comprehensive! I will have a go with the car jacked up. Thought about wheel bearings, but the noise is only 1 'clunk'. If you drive along a straight road, once the car is warmed up and swerve from left to right, you hear (and feel) 1 clunk every time you turn right. I hope it isn't the wishbones they look beyond my abilities to change. I also wasn't completely honest with the tie rods, I've changed the drivers side ones and have only purchased the passenger side one, so do need to fit that first, then move onto the bigger bits of suspension.
I am thankful for your help though and will advise.

That could well be the cause of your "clunk" .. change it first before doing much else IMHO ..

[feeutfo]

Get it jacked on stands both sides with the steering lock off and get under there, see how it all works by turning the wheels through the steering travel and wiggle everything for play, roll bars drop links , steering joints, wishbones should be firmly held, steering idler should have no vertical play.. Rock the road wheel as H describes. Plus pull the bottom of the wheel in and out for steering knuckle play.

Hth

[feeutfo]

Get it jacked on stands both sides with the steering lock off and get under there, see how it all works by turning the wheels through the steering travel and wiggle everything for play, roll bars drop links , steering joints, wishbones should be firmly held, steering idler should have no vertical play.. Rock the road wheel as H describes. Plus pull the bottom of the wheel in and out for steering knuckle play.

Hth

Plus any splits or cracks in the wishbone bushes themselves, replace with lemforder from all German parts. Delphi track rod ends seem ok. Do NOT use their wishbones though.steering idler genuine only pm andyc on here for tc prices. Drop links fia if you can find them....?

[Marks DTM Calib]

Get it jacked on stands both sides with the steering lock off and get under there, see how it all works by turning the wheels through the steering travel and wiggle everything for play, roll bars drop links , steering joints, wishbones should be firmly held, steering idler should have no vertical play.. Rock the road wheel as H describes. Plus pull the bottom of the wheel in and out for steering knuckle play.

Hth

Plus any splits or cracks in the wishbone bushes themselves, replace with lemforder from all German parts. Delphi track rod ends seem ok. Do NOT use their wishbones though.steering idler genuine only pm andyc on here for tc prices. Drop links fia if you can find them....?

Or out trusted supplier 

[MV62960]

Hello,

I've got the next 2 days off, so will change the tie rods on the passenger side and will hopefully feel/hear nothing! The steering idler is a genuine one from Vauxhall and cost me £75 which I thought was a good deal, only to find ebay selling new ones for £11, though they look like copies, I cannot see how they can be made differently?

On another small note, I was thinking of changing the rubbers on the front anti roll bar, as they-re very cheap. If I unbolt the bar will it spring away or stay put, once the bolts are undone?

Sorry for being unwise in this area,

Daniel

[feeutfo]

Jack both sides, roll bar should be fine, never done the job myself though. But for certain, it will be loaded if only one side is jacked . That will be a mare.

...and by jacked, i mean jacked and on stands. Safety first. ( sigh )

[feeutfo]

Get it jacked on stands both sides with the steering lock off and get under there, see how it all works by turning the wheels through the steering travel and wiggle everything for play, roll bars drop links , steering joints, wishbones should be firmly held, steering idler should have no vertical play.. Rock the road wheel as H describes. Plus pull the bottom of the wheel in and out for steering knuckle play.

Hth

Plus any splits or cracks in the wishbone bushes themselves, replace with lemforder from all German parts. Delphi track rod ends seem ok. Do NOT use their wishbones though.steering idler genuine only pm andyc on here for tc prices. Drop links fia if you can find them....?

Or out trusted supplier 

pray tell master...?       :-?

[davethediver]

Hello,

I've got the next 2 days off, so will change the tie rods on the passenger side and will hopefully feel/hear nothing! The steering idler is a genuine one from Vauxhall and cost me £75 which I thought was a good deal, only to find ebay selling new ones for £11, though they look like copies, I cannot see how they can be made differently?

On another small note, I was thinking of changing the rubbers on the front anti roll bar, as they-re very cheap. If I unbolt the bar will it spring away or stay put, once the bolts are undone?

Sorry for being unwise in this area,

Daniel

The 11 pound idler is only useful for, nope its gone its useful for nothing. IT WILL FAIL QUICKLY.

The idler from the same firm that costs about 30 pounds is a lemforder product and seems to be highly recommended on here

Mine has been fine since it was fitted 10000 miles ago the cheap s##t one lasted about 2000

[RobG]

Get it jacked on stands both sides with the steering lock off and get under there, see how it all works by turning the wheels through the steering travel and wiggle everything for play, roll bars drop links , steering joints, wishbones should be firmly held, steering idler should have no vertical play.. Rock the road wheel as H describes. Plus pull the bottom of the wheel in and out for steering knuckle play.

Hth

Plus any splits or cracks in the wishbone bushes themselves, replace with lemforder from all German parts. Delphi track rod ends seem ok. Do NOT use their wishbones though.steering idler genuine only pm andyc on here for tc prices. Drop links fia if you can find them....?

Or out trusted supplier 

pray tell master...?       :-?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Vauxhall-Steering-Idler-Arm-110mm-9195731-Omega-Carlton-/170517287667?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item27b39f52f3

[davethediver]

Get it jacked on stands both sides with the steering lock off and get under there, see how it all works by turning the wheels through the steering travel and wiggle everything for play, roll bars drop links , steering joints, wishbones should be firmly held, steering idler should have no vertical play.. Rock the road wheel as H describes. Plus pull the bottom of the wheel in and out for steering knuckle play.

Hth

Plus any splits or cracks in the wishbone bushes themselves, replace with lemforder from all German parts. Delphi track rod ends seem ok. Do NOT use their wishbones though.steering idler genuine only pm andyc on here for tc prices. Drop links fia if you can find them....?

Or out trusted supplier 

pray tell master...?       :-?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Vauxhall-Steering-Idler-Arm-110mm-9195731-Omega-Carlton-/170517287667?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item27b39f52f3

Thats the one Rob

Repeat DO NOT BUY THE CHEAP ONE

[MV62960]

Thanks again for your fruitful advice!

Put the new tie rod on, so now both sides are new, as is the steering idler. Still the same :-(.
Will move onto center steering rod, as thats looks easy to change and think I can do that without any jacking up only need my trusty ball separator! I admit I am changing bits that are easy to get to, rather than things that could be the real cause of the issue!
The car does have a feeling of being 'detached' from the suspension, fine on big curves and speed bumps. But when you go over repeated little lumps, like on rumble strips, the car feels like its going to collapse!