04-29-2012, 03:52 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Beaverton, OR
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Suspension knocking
as the title says, my suspension is "knocking". When I hit any bump, be it a pinecone, road marker, or pothole, the suspension makes a loud knocking noise.
I emailed an Alfa mechanic I know and he suggested the lower ball joints go first, but he didn't elaborate at all.
I inspected the suspension and nothing looked obviously wrong, so I am a bit stumped.
Any Ideas?
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04-29-2012, 05:04 PM
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Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: South Australia
Posts: 1,278
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 Quote:
Originally Posted by goldrc4
as the title says, my suspension is "knocking". When I hit any bump, be it a pinecone, road marker, or pothole, the suspension makes a loud knocking noise.
I emailed an Alfa mechanic I know and he suggested the lower ball joints go first, but he didn't elaborate at all.
I inspected the suspension and nothing looked obviously wrong, so I am a bit stumped.
Any Ideas?
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You have confirmed that all of the ball joints are good?
Other potential noises come can come from the lower control arm bearings (they are plain bearings and not rubber bushes).
My own car had the top control arm bush work its way out of the control arm.
The original rubber caster arm bushes also wear out and the rods can bang and knock against the chassis holes they go through.
After that it could be tie rod ends, inner and outer. Or the steering rack's internal bush or possibly the outer bush (1 side is solidly mounted to the steering rack cross member).
My car also had a dead rear engine mount that I didn't spot. So even after overhauling all of the suspension with all new pivot points, it would still bang when going over train crossings. What was happening was the engine would bounce up and down and the sump could hit the steering rack tube.
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04-29-2012, 07:52 PM
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not sure on the status of the ball joints, I don't know of any way to test them.
the tie rod ends are a good idea, I know my tie rod bushings are getting past it, so i'll give them a look.
I doubt it is the rear engine mounts, they have been replaced recently.
I will also give the steering rack and upper control arm an inspection while I am looking at the tie rods.
thanks for the suggestions!
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04-29-2012, 09:48 PM
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Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Southern California
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Check your castor bushings - the bushings where the castor rod attaches to the chassis.
Jes
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87 Milano Verde - daily driver - [URL="http://www.alfabb.com/bb/forums/showthread.php?p=363643#post363643"]Juliet[/URL] - SOLD
87 Milano 3.0 Motronic - budget race car - [URL="http://www.alfabb.com/bb/forums/showthread.php?t=27358"]Roxanne[/URL] - SOLD
87 Milano 3.7 24v - race car - Running again after 3 year hibernation...
(Repeating what I suggest or do, is at your own risk - be critical)
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04-30-2012, 01:36 AM
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Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: East Sussex. UK
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Had the same problem with mine couple of years ago, despite poly bushes in top arm and caster arm, as well as new upper and lower ball joints. Took lower arms off and replaced internal bushes, was a pain to do, old bushes were totally destroyed. Now silent.
Ready to go back in
Old bush
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1987 75 3.0V6, 1990 164 3.0 lusso auto
Last edited by Paul Darwood; 04-30-2012 at 01:54 AM.
Reason: Pic now included
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04-30-2012, 12:21 PM
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A worn out rubber at the top shock mounting point can also cause a knocking sound at bumps.
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04-30-2012, 06:58 PM
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inspected the upper shock mount bushing, there could be a slight (0.5mm or less) gap there, but there is no evidence of movement.
I also replaced all 4 tie rod end bushing with spares I had, they were used but in equal or better shape to those I removed. The inner left bushing (under power steering pump) was completely trashed. I think that leaking power steering fluid speed up this one's deterioration beacause the other 3 were no where near as bad.
The good news is that after the swap I did a few laps around the block, hitting ever pothole/bump I saw at 20mph (prime knocking speed for some reason), And it all sounded like any other car.
a daily commute or two will be the real test though.
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