BobfisH

guys...

For a while now, i've had a horrible clicking/rattling sound coming from my front drivers side wheel area (its a RHD car, BTW) It generally happens at low speed under braking, and also when the car actually stops (i.e as im stopping i hear the sound, and as i stop as the weight transfers back onto the rear of the car i also hear it)

The sound also happens when simply turning the steering wheel at a standstill, but not as bad.

I always assumed this to be the rear lower arm bush, so ive got some polybushes for it. Well upon dismantling the car, i have the lower arm completely disconnected, the ARB is disconnected, the shock bla bla, the only thing left connected is the lower arm ball joint (but the lower arm isnt connected to the subframe) and the upper A arm, along with the steering arm.

Well, i turned the wheel so i could get to the lower arm ball joint to pry it off so i could press out my old bushings. THE DAMN NOISE IS STIlL HAPPENING!

what the hell is this? Has anyone had any experience of this? Its driving me NUTS. Its incredibly loud and frankly embarrassing.

chinaman

Did you check the heat shield to see if it's bent or loose? Also, check to see if you don't have any small stones lodged between it and the rotor.

BobfisH

im outside checking everything now, havent checked heat shield yet. No stones between it and rotor, i removed it the other day.

the sound sounds like metal tapping metal, its not a small rattle or anything, its literally like metal hitting on metal....

chinaman

Get your wife or girlfriend out of bed and have her turn the steering wheel while you inspect.

BobfisH

it only really happens under suspension loading though...its a real doozie this one!

Wife or girlfriend? dont have one!

It sounds like a loose bolt or something needs greasing. Im starting the think its the steering rack or something because ive had every component of the suspension apart today and nothing looks like its been rubbing (as it should with a noise like this) and nothing is loose...


I have a video of it but i dont know where to host it...can anyone help?

BobfisH

ahah - video

Click here to watch GOD-DAMN-NOISE

Mike Nola

Check the steering rack mounting bolts, and the strut mounting bolts. Other than that i hate to say it but...ball joints.

Mike

BobfisH

By the strut do you mean the shock? Sorry...im english.

Ball joints? which? Ive checked the lower arm (where it attatches to sub frame) and upper arm (where it attatches to inner wing)

or by ball joints do you mean the ones that attatch to the hub?

these are non-replaceable arent they?

raptor17

did you find out where the noise is coming from? Take out the wheels and rotate the front rotors It might the wheel bearings. Great job on your FDs builds!