Steering Clunk?

[SMQ92]

Hi guys,

Have had an ongoing issue for past few months. I had a clunk on the drivers side front when turning from full lock left to full lock right when reversing at slow speeds. It would also clunk when I went up kerbs. I have had the top mount and bearing changed,had the drop links replaced and although the clunk has gone when turning from the full lock. It now has a small clunk when dry steering to the right when pulling off and also it is still there when going up a kerb at low speeds.

I had a Koni Definition Kit fitted by CRS Performance back in April and I have changed the two things Steve had mentioned it could be. I am quite a distance from Steve so can’t just pop down there for diagnosis. Does anyone else have any ideas of what to check next? The garage i used locally reckon the ball joints were fine.

Thanks in advance.

Ste

 

[DaveD]

Hi guys,

Have had an ongoing issue for past few months. I had a clunk on the drivers side front when turning from full lock left to full lock right when reversing at slow speeds. It would also clunk when I went up kerbs. I have had the top mount and bearing changed,had the drop links replaced and although the clunk has gone when turning from the full lock. It now has a small clunk when dry steering to the right when pulling off and also it is still there when going up a kerb at low speeds.

I had a Koni Definition Kit fitted by CRS Performance back in April and I have changed the two things Steve had mentioned it could be. I am quite a distance from Steve so can’t just pop down there for diagnosis. Does anyone else have any ideas of what to check next? The garage i used locally reckon the ball joints were fine.

Thanks in advance.

Ste

I wonder if it's a failing CV joint?

 

[The Bear78]

My thoughts were either top mount or drop links. I had similar on a freshly fitted set of SoLows complete with new mounts. Everything was tight up top but it only stopped clicking when I had new coilovers fitted, again with new top mounts.
Double check the drop links. Sometimes the stud is a bit smaller than the hole in the shock body. Despite the nut appearing tight, the link can still slide up and down a little.

 

[SMQ92]

My thoughts were either top mount or drop links. I had similar on a freshly fitted set of SoLows complete with new mounts. Everything was tight up top but it only stopped clicking when I had new coilovers fitted, again with new top mounts.
Double check the drop links. Sometimes the stud is a bit smaller than the hole in the shock body. Despite the nut appearing tight, the link can still slide up and down a little.

Hi mate, I’ve had both things repaired and still happening.

 

[Johnod17]

Are you sure the top strut mounts are ok ?
As I had my ones changed and they used non genuine parts and I had a knocking etc .
When a set of original VW mounts were checked against the pattern parts they were very slightly different,a set of genuine ones were fitted the problem was fixed.

This was letting the strut/spring move with in the location place.

 

[The Bear78]

Hi mate, I’ve had both things repaired and still happening.

Yep. That's why I suggested double checking. If the stud on the garage's choice of drop link is inherently smaller than than the mounting hole, you may find it will have loosened due to the slight movement, despite being replaced.

 

[SMQ92]

Yep. That's why I suggested double checking. If the stud on the garage's choice of drop link is inherently smaller than than the mounting hole, you may find it will have loosened due to the slight movement, despite being replaced.

I have replaced them with Lemforders which Steve at CRS recommended mate.

 

[CRS Performance]

The quickest and easiest way to isolate the drop link as the problem ( this is by far the most common issue ) is to take one side off and drive the van for a day or so . If the noise has gone it will be the mounting ball joint of the drop link moving in the hole in the shock ( not a faulty drop link ) . To over come this move the struts left to right , this gives us a fresh new hole to use, ( no comic puns here please ) and providing the drop links are good ones they will fasten tight and not move .

I have had clients fitting 2 sets of new drop links and it was still the problem .

Avoid Meyle heavy duty ones they are rubbish in reality . They provide two flats to hold them with a spanner , the problem is the contact area to the shock is halved by these flats