A different knocking...

[gregmund]

Just got back from a jaunt round Europe in our '97 S1 (which included a fab cruise round the Monte Carlo Grand Prix Circuit while the final build was taking place - a little over a week before the race). Half way through the trip the car developed a metallic 'snap' , which sound a bit like someone tapping part of the chassis with a hammer - one way, then the other

My reliable local garage (I have no dealer or specialist near me!) had a look & couldn't diagnose it - I originally thought 'balljoints' - but it isn't those & four were replaced recently - all checked for tightness. They seemed to think it might be steering related - there is a small amount of play in the rack.

Anybody any suggestions as to the cause Will shortly be replacing the steering rack anyway...

[alunr]

I've got a strange metallic tapping noise from the front of mine (its just had the rack replaced and its made no difference) - I've got a set of Anti Roll bar bushes as the originals seem quite spongey now to try - after that it can only be suspension

[juicetin]

I've got about a hundred different knocking noises from the front of my 97 Elise, as per previous threads, this looks like its completely normal on early cars save for having all the suspension changed. Im going to get mine looked at again soon as its starting to p**s me off no end !

[gregmund]

Just had the anti roll bar bushings replaced, so I know it isn't them or ball joints. I read somewhere that it might be the damper? It is a really odd noise -like something flexing one way & then snapping back the other. It seems to have no rhythm according to bumps in the road though - though it does seem [loosly] to fit acceleration/decceleration. It sounds like it is coming from the front of the tub under the dashboard.

But is is getting very annoying now

[Geoff333]

Weird, but I've got a clunking noise from the back. Not sure if it's the exhaust or the rear suspension. It only happens when the car is warmed up. Then it's continuousat at any speed. If we stop for a 30 minute break (pub usually) ,it's gone and then comes back after another 20-30 minutes.

Previous it only happened on the odd occassion. HR Owen at St Albans couldn't find anything wrong. But since then it's back and worst.
Any ideas?