CLUNKING sound when turning at parking speeds

[m6vwc 0]

i've got a 63k vr6 with what i believe to be a koni sport suspension kit fitted. it's been making a mechanical clunking sound when turning on lock (think it's worse on left lock but i'm not sure now i've had to think about it). vw had a look at it for me when it's been in for service but they couldn't find any problems. any ideas would be greatly appreciated as it's getting worse and it's starting to do my head in? :( cheers! t.

[MNuTz 0]

just developed the same problem on my MK3 golf, whenever i go around a sharp left hand bend you can hear a clunking sound. I cant place the sound though as it doesnt do it everytime and im sure its coming from the back end.

 

Where abouts is you noise coming from?

 

Im taking mine down to my local garage to see if he can figure it out, if he does ill post my solution to see if it helps you!

[m6vwc 0]

think it's coming from the passenger side front. just been checking out a few of the earlier posts and i think it might be down to worn top mounts. whatever they are? not the most technical of owners as you've probably guessed.

[GIXXERUK 0]

if its clunking on full lock then it most likely a CV (most likely an outer (cv kit = £60) prob just a shade over £100 inc labour

 

if it clunks when you turn left the its probably the right outer CV but it will clunk clunk clunk as you turn

 

the top mounts (donuts and bearings) inc vat are £40 from the stealers

[randal 0]

Mine is clunking at low speeds, and pull aways/stops. It's not clunk clunk clunking on corners, so I'm thinking the CV is ok. I'm pretty sure it's not the top mounts as I've just replaced them - and the plates at the top. The only thing that I've been told of that makes sense is the counterweight on the driveshaft being loose. I'm going to take a look at the weekend, see what I can see. Might be worth checking on yours too.

[DEL VR6 0]

mine does the same thing. Its only when, say, im reversing on full lock, and then turning back the other way. Its only been happening since the car was lowered. its a horrible sound at that. no-one knows what it is tho. im confused.

[randal 0]

Its only been happening since the car was lowered.

 

Ditto :(

[corradophil 3]

Mine has a similar problem, a metalic clank from what appears to be the nearside front suspension. I have noticed gently applying the brakes stops it happening. Which to me suggests a wheel bearing, but there is no rumbling normaly asscoiated with damaged bearings and no free play. Mine has had new wishbone bushes, anti roll bar bushes, top mounts and lower swivel joints. There is no apparent play anywhere.

I'd be interested to know if applying the brakes on other peoples cars stops the noise.

 

By the way mine is not making the click click noise CV joints make, and it happens in a straight line.

[randal 0]

I've just replaced the wheel bearings all round, new wishbone bushes, roll bar drop links, and ball joints at the same time as doing the susp swap out.

 

:scratch:

[DEL VR6 0]

Yeah, its a strange kind of sound, cos you can almost avoid it either by fethering the brakes or taking reversing very very slowly. As i say, mine is only at parking speeds, and tends to happen on full or just below full lock and then again when the wheels are turned the other way, and the car moves forward, so you get the the clunk.

[SAW 0]

Hi

 

I have a similar clunk and think that on my car its the inside of the wheel catching on the Anti Roll bar, it only happens on full lock and usually when parking!

[Cnut 0]

A sticking handbrake?

[randal 0]

Don't think it's the handbrake, I'm 100% sure it's coming from the front of the car. You can feel it through the pedals and the wheel.

 

I dropped another post about this on the board the other day, I'll dig out the link because it's got some relevant info in it...

 

edit Link here

has a little bit of info in it. Are any of you having similar symptoms mentioned in this thread too?

[biggerbigneil 0]

I have this problem also.

It happens only at low speeds (car parking) over bumpy ground.

It only happened when I fitted my FK Konigsports?

They have new Top Mounts all around and it is coming from the front passenger side?

Doesn't make any noise over 5 mph and doesn't seem to be getting any worse?

[randal 0]

Have any of you guys removed the counter weight from the drive shafts?

[Neil VR6 0]

I've got it too and I've just fitted new coilovers, wishbones, bushes, and balljoints :( Again, it only happens at low speeds and over large bumps when you feel a knock thro' the steering.

[Jimjam 0]

mine does the same thing. Its only when, say, im reversing on full lock, and then turning back the other way. Its only been happening since the car was lowered. its a horrible sound at that. no-one knows what it is tho. im confused.

 

Same as. Mine clonks once when reversing on full lock. Completely standard suspension set up. I did have the ARB bushes changed recently, but I can't remember if it was doing it before that or not.

[corradophil 3]

Things I've considered as possibilities for making the noise are:

 

1. Shock absorber

2. Spring

3. Engine mount (Engine moving when going over bump)

4. Backlash in driveshaft (when the car is jacked up, you can turn the wheel backwards and forwards and get a similar noise)

5. Backlash in transmission (same note as in item 4)

6. Suspension bushes (all of which have been replaced)

7. Track control arm inner or outer joints (no noticable play on mine)

8. Steering rack (no play evident)

9. Steering rack mounts (Again no play evident)

10. Wheel bearing (none of the usual signs of wear to wheel bearings are there)

11. Brake pads rattling (had this before and it is a different sound)

 

My car just went straight through its mot which gives more support to my finding no play in any suspension bushes, joints or wheel bearings.

 

What I need to try is applying power when it does it, if it stops it then it looks like transmision backlash, the load from the engine takes up the free play, when you brake you isolate the transmission from wheel speed changes.

[Kevin Bacon 5]

Same as. Mine clonks once when reversing on full lock. Completely standard suspension set up. I did have the ARB bushes changed recently, but I can't remember if it was doing it before that or not.

 

Yep same here.

 

Mine's only being doing it a month or so.....doesn't affect the way it drives though. Might just be the subframe moving slightly as it's under immense load at full lock. Old cars are like old houses....they're gonna creak and groan a bit 8)

[GIXXERUK 0]

if its on full or nearly full lock its almost certainly an outer CV, it will make a metallic clicking knocking sound

lowering a car will alter the angle of the driveshafts, the escort cossies can only be lowered so far before the driveshafts will pop out

when on full lock the CV race is under a lot of strain as it becomes very tight so any wear will show up as the noise

clunking in a straight line can be lots of things but dont discount the inner CV's as these can knock in a straight line

 

if its a one off clunk its more likely to be something like eg subframe moving as it takes up the stress, or a front spring re positioning etc

 

the drive shaft weights can be removed and as they have no affect but these can work loose and knock

[m6vwc 0]

cheers for the advice everyone. sounds like it's more than likely going to be either the top mounts or the outer cv joint. anyone know anyone in either cheshire, lancashire, or south yorkshire (i get about a bit don't i?)that works on corrados? especially modified ones (i.e. the koni kit) as my local VAG dealer wouldn't touch the suspension because it wasn't origional. i've just been awesome gti stores website. didn't know they did konis. anybody had any work done by these guys?

[GIXXERUK 0]

wilsons in rhuddlan are very good mate (used them myself as have many others)

Garage Name: Wilsons Motor Services

Telephone: 01745 590272

Address: Rhyl Rd, Rhuddlan, Rhyl, LL18 2TR

[GIXXERUK 0]

oh yeah and awesome gti are good :-)

[Kevin Bacon 5]

My experience with worn CVs on VWs usually sees the inner ones clicking on acceleration as they load up and the outer ones rumble/knock when cornering.....

 

As for the clunk, pretty sure it's just the subframe 'settling' itself after a hard steer....I'll get Vince to check the bolts in June when I'm there.

[Andy T 0]

Did anyone manage to sort this problem out? I've had it for about a year, single clunk on left lock reverse, then another clunk as I drive forward and steer right.

 

Its gradually getting worse, like a few people though, it started happening shortly after fitting lowered suspension. I can feel it through the steering wheel/chassis, and almost feels something is shifting about in the steering or subframe.