Funny "clonk" from rear end

[joust]

Hi - was wondering if people in Lotus land can offer some advice.

I've noticed the elise has a funny clonk at the rear with the following characteristics

1) Doesn't happen until the engine has warmed up
2) Seems related to *very* small bumps in the road - hard to tell on bigger lumps due to the clunking of the shocks
3) Only noticeable with the radio turned off (i.e. it's a very small noise)
4) Happens more on the overrun when you are slowing
5) Unrelated to it being in / out of gear
6) No idea how long it's been there (since I always drive around with the radio on), but doesn't seem to be getting any worse so could have been there for ages?

Is it just the shocks making a noise? AFAIK they have never been replaced in the 5 years that I've had it, and no-one that's serviced it has said I need new ones. Are they an easy replace anyway, or should I throw it at some specalist???

Any ideas before I have to give it to someone to sort out. Also, any other suggestions of an independant in the SE apart from one that has a name associated with water?

Thanks,

J

[Bonce]

Hey Joust,

As it happens, I noticed the exact same clonk on my rear left suspension after a 'spirited' 2 hour drive back from the north on Sunday evening. Only noticed it when I was parking, and after I'd put the car away I tried pushing down on each corner confirmed my fears...

Thankfully, a quick look at www.elise-faq.info/content/noises/index.php reassured me that it's probably just the ball joints when they get hot. This was certainly backed up by the fact that the next day, the clonk had gone. Blame it on the hot weather, but if it's worrying you get it checked by someone!

[joust]

Ah - thanks a million! Sounds just like it.

J

[sykes111s]

i have also have this 'clonk' when it gets warm.

I think i read on another forum that the cat warms one of the anti role bar bushes which dries it out.

Eaither way i need a way of solving it as i'm trying to sell the car

>> Edited by sykes111s on Wednesday 6th August 08:39

[Bonce]

Sykes, to fix noisy ARB bushes it looks like you will need to adjust or replace them, but it requires disassembly of the ARB mounts according to the FAQ.

[sykes111s]

cheers Bonce but i'm not sure if it is the ARB bushes or the ball joints is there any way of finding out before I take the car apart