Help to diagnose knocking from suspension on ZT160

Simon · 1st September 2007, 19:09

Right then folks....

Symptoms: 'knocking' noise felt through steering wheel when traveling at low speeds over bumps/uneven ground. It appears to go away at higher speeds but then I often do not turn the wheel so violently at higher speeds

I cannot detect any play in the steering when turning a few degrees whilst stationary (as suggested by Lates).

Any thoughts as to what it could be? Answers needed prior to middle of this month

Phil · 1st September 2007, 19:57

strutt tops? Antirollbar links? Does it do it stationary and you wobble the steering 10 degrees left and right?

Lates · 1st September 2007, 20:07

Simon did you pick up on the noise whilst stationary and rocking of the stg wheel ? You have 3 and a bit weeks to diagnose the issue

Mike · 1st September 2007, 20:34

Front top mount bearings perchance Lates?

Not uncommon on our cars...................

Lates · 1st September 2007, 20:52

I have 4 sat here after waiting for weeks to come off back order. Thinking about getting some more in just in case they run out again.

Simon · 1st September 2007, 20:53

No noise whilst rocking the steering wheel - seems quite solid when stationary and moving the wheel.

Seems only to be apparent during slower speeds but as I say at higher speeds other factors tend to occupy your mind rather than steering knocks (which you would usually attribute to the road itself being uneven).

The noise may not necessarily be down to the movement of the steering wheel, so for the sake of simplicity lets remove this from the equation and concentrate on the knocking being felt regardless of steering motion as I rather suspect this is the case. If this being so, out of the suggestions given so far, what could be a possible cause?

Lates · 1st September 2007, 21:16

Bottom ball joint ( pricey as it comes with the lower arm ) , track rod end ? If you get 5 minutes jack up each front corner of the car and grab the wheel at 3+9 o clock and see if you have any excess movement there and again at 12+6 oclock. While the car is raised use a sturdy 3x3 plank to try and slighty raise the wheel and this may allow a feel of slop in the suspension joints.

Simon · 1st September 2007, 21:18

Will try and give that a go tomorrow if I get time. I'll report back as soon as I get some results.

Lates · 1st September 2007, 21:21

Give me a shout ( aerial permitting ) or pete if you need any phone guidance.

Simon · 1st September 2007, 21:27

Thanks Lates

By the way - the email you sent just after we finished chatting the other night didn't actually have yours or Pete's numbers on it...

1st September 2007, 19:09	#1
Simon Banned - Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: - Posts: 10,318 Thanks: 0 Thanked 4 Times in 3 Posts	Help to diagnose knocking from suspension on ZT160 Right then folks.... Symptoms: 'knocking' noise felt through steering wheel when traveling at low speeds over bumps/uneven ground. It appears to go away at higher speeds but then I often do not turn the wheel so violently at higher speeds I cannot detect any play in the steering when turning a few degrees whilst stationary (as suggested by Lates). Any thoughts as to what it could be? Answers needed prior to middle of this month

1st September 2007, 19:57	#2
Phil This is my second home Rover 75 CDT Connoisseur SE Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Wales Posts: 12,227 Thanks: 469 Thanked 523 Times in 241 Posts	strutt tops? Antirollbar links? Does it do it stationary and you wobble the steering 10 degrees left and right? __________________

1st September 2007, 20:34	#4
Mike This is my second home Rover 75 V8 Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 3,448 Thanks: 0 Thanked 206 Times in 32 Posts	Front top mount bearings perchance Lates? Not uncommon on our cars................... __________________ Mike [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

1st September 2007, 20:07	#3
Lates This is my second home Jaguar XE Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Coventry Posts: 4,321 Thanks: 56 Thanked 59 Times in 55 Posts	Simon did you pick up on the noise whilst stationary and rocking of the stg wheel ? You have 3 and a bit weeks to diagnose the issue

1st September 2007, 20:52	#5
Lates This is my second home Jaguar XE Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Coventry Posts: 4,321 Thanks: 56 Thanked 59 Times in 55 Posts	I have 4 sat here after waiting for weeks to come off back order. Thinking about getting some more in just in case they run out again.

1st September 2007, 20:53	#6
Simon Banned - Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: - Posts: 10,318 Thanks: 0 Thanked 4 Times in 3 Posts	No noise whilst rocking the steering wheel - seems quite solid when stationary and moving the wheel. Seems only to be apparent during slower speeds but as I say at higher speeds other factors tend to occupy your mind rather than steering knocks (which you would usually attribute to the road itself being uneven). The noise may not necessarily be down to the movement of the steering wheel, so for the sake of simplicity lets remove this from the equation and concentrate on the knocking being felt regardless of steering motion as I rather suspect this is the case. If this being so, out of the suggestions given so far, what could be a possible cause?

1st September 2007, 21:16	#7
Lates This is my second home Jaguar XE Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Coventry Posts: 4,321 Thanks: 56 Thanked 59 Times in 55 Posts	Bottom ball joint ( pricey as it comes with the lower arm ) , track rod end ? If you get 5 minutes jack up each front corner of the car and grab the wheel at 3+9 o clock and see if you have any excess movement there and again at 12+6 oclock. While the car is raised use a sturdy 3x3 plank to try and slighty raise the wheel and this may allow a feel of slop in the suspension joints.

1st September 2007, 21:18	#8
Simon Banned - Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: - Posts: 10,318 Thanks: 0 Thanked 4 Times in 3 Posts	Will try and give that a go tomorrow if I get time. I'll report back as soon as I get some results.

1st September 2007, 21:21	#9
Lates This is my second home Jaguar XE Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Coventry Posts: 4,321 Thanks: 56 Thanked 59 Times in 55 Posts	Give me a shout ( aerial permitting ) or pete if you need any phone guidance.

1st September 2007, 21:27	#10
Simon Banned - Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: - Posts: 10,318 Thanks: 0 Thanked 4 Times in 3 Posts	Thanks Lates By the way - the email you sent just after we finished chatting the other night didn't actually have yours or Pete's numbers on it...