Knock from front?

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Discussion

OllieBirmingham

Original Poster:

5,681 posts

199 months

Wednesday 2nd July 2008
quotequote all
Got a knock/rattle coming from the front of the car, but I can't work out what it is. Heard it first before I went to Le Mans, had the car up on a ramp with an MOT tester wiggling stuff about but he couldn't find anything loose or worn and it was fine on the trip. Just done a couple of hundred miles in the last few days and I'm sure it is getting worse. It is noticeable at low speed when going over poorly surfaced roads, its just like a small knocking noise that I can feel through the wheel and it seems to be worse when turning right slightly. I don't think it is CV joints because it only does it over bumpy roads. It seems to go away at higher speeds, but this is maybe because you just can't hear it anymore? I don't think it is anything terminal, but just want it sorted because it is starting to get in my tits now, and will probably only get worse. Any thoughts people?

Slinky

15,704 posts

256 months

Wednesday 2nd July 2008
quotequote all
What age of car is it chap?

If we're looking at an early Eunos, I don't want to scare you, but I had the same symptoms which lead to engine failure!

My issue was the famous short nosed crank problem, combined with a failing power steering pump, the failing pump placed additional load on the crank pulley and the woodruf key..

slinky

MX-5 Lazza

7,954 posts

226 months

Wednesday 2nd July 2008
quotequote all
Sounds more like bushes to me. Possibly something easy like ARB bushes but more likely to be wishbone bushes which are a pain in the @rse to replace.

Possibly the alignment bolts aren't as tight as they could be but that usually just causes a knock on heavy braking and turning (like braking into a hairpin on a track).

Edited by MX-5 Lazza on Wednesday 2nd July 13:48

OllieBirmingham

Original Poster:

5,681 posts

199 months

Wednesday 2nd July 2008
quotequote all
Its a '91 Eunos, but I really don't think it has anything to do with the engine, it did it yesterday when I was coasting down my mates driveway with the engine off. I was assuming it was a bush of sorts, but just not sure which one. I can sort of feel/hear it through the wheel (If that makes sense) and as I said, it seems worse when taking a gentle right hand bend. How difficult would it be to re-new all the bushes on the car? I was thinking about uprating the suspension but it is quite stiff anyway and seeing as I haven't got round to tracking the thing yet I reckon I would be better off getting the car back to as new factory style, and I struggle to get the car on the driveway already!

MX-5 Lazza

7,954 posts

226 months

Wednesday 2nd July 2008
quotequote all
If it's worse steering right then it might well be a left front wheel-bearing. Jack that corner up and see if there is any play in the bearing (or any of the bearings for that matter).

skinny

5,269 posts

242 months

Wednesday 2nd July 2008
quotequote all
possibly worn lower suspension ball joint?