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Clonk while turning wheel

Posted: Tue Feb 05, 2019 1:37 pm
by Jim
Hey guys.

Last few times I have taken the car I get a massive clonk from the front of the car whilst reversing with the car on full lock (wheels turned to right looking from drivers seat).

The car almost lifts and drops as it is doing it.

Have read about the coil coming out of its cup?

Could it be this? If so, how easy is it to correct?

Many thanks guys.

Re: Clonk while turning wheel

Posted: Tue Feb 05, 2019 2:49 pm
by pbar
You can get it back in Jim if it has moved out of position, may need a few pairs of mole grips or similar to compress the spring to make it maneuverable. My MOT tester used this method once when he spotted it wasn't in place correctly.

You may wish to check that the spring hasn't snapped though.

Re: Clonk while turning wheel

Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2019 10:00 am
by Paul G
I've got some spring compressors you can borrow James, will bring them to next weeks meeting.

Paul.

Re: Clonk while turning wheel

Posted: Sun Feb 10, 2019 3:56 pm
by Jim
Thanks for the replies guys.

Paul G, thanks mate. It would be greatly appreciated if you could bring the spring compressors to the next meet.

Re: Clonk while turning wheel

Posted: Thu Feb 14, 2019 9:11 am
by Mc Tool
Make sure the upper spring cups are oriented correctly as they don't turn with the strut so the spring is "wound" as the strut goes from lock to lock.
To orient correctly ,loosen both top strut nuts (on the top of the strut top mount under the bonnet ) then jack front wheels off the ground , get the ever willing and helpful spouse to move the steering from lock to lock a couple of times while you observe the afore mentioned nuts moving with the steering movement, with the wheels pointing straight ahead lower the car wheels back to ground and then tighten the strut nuts whilst ensuring the strut shaft doesn't turn ,you can hang on to the crank shaped fittings under the strut nut to stop this as those cranks ( and the top spring cups ) are keyed to the strut shaft. The manual makes mention of the correct orientation of said cranks to indicate the correct position of the shaft and spring cups but I can't remember whether they should be facing front to back or side to side
hth
Hamish

Re: Clonk while turning wheel

Posted: Thu Feb 14, 2019 10:34 am
by Paul G
Side to side with wheels straight ahead.

Re: Clonk while turning wheel

Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2019 2:14 pm
by Jim
Thanks for the reply guys.

I took some photos:

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The springs seem in the same location as the grooves but are they set a bit too far back?

With regards to the strut tops, in the above photos, the wheels are pointing straight ahead. Should the cranked ends being facing completely perpendicular to the wings or are the positions shown ok?

Re: Clonk while turning wheel

Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2019 5:28 pm
by Peter-S
Apart from being caked in grease nothing looks particularly amiss.
If this is happening on full lock that will be when the most stress is being put on some of the components. I would be looking for sideways movement in the steering rack where the nearside (but check both sides) goes in to the rubber gaitor. Try grabbing it and moving side to side. It shouldn't really move. Check that the steering arm where it bolts on to the strut is not loose and examine the track rod end and the ball joint in the track control arm for movement. Probably need to jack the car and take the wheel off to examine it properly

Re: Clonk while turning wheel

Posted: Sun Feb 17, 2019 5:51 pm
by Mc Tool
The springs should have a piece of plastic tubing on the ends where they rest against the spring seats ( a bit of 1/2" garden hose will do ) , if they are missing any movement here at full lock will make a good dong as the spring resonates. When you think about the set up ,both springs wound the same way ....no left and right so turning the steering winds the springs up one way and unwinds them the other way, its no wonder peeps fit top mounts with bearings in them so that the whole strut and spring turns together.......the whole steering thing feels better , but they ain't cheap