Re: still clonking

[srubano@xxxx]

I know that if a lower ball joint makes a clonking noise, it's most 
likely not the ball joint itself that's bad. From what I understand 
most of the time it's due to that there is very little surface where 
the ball joint gets pressed in. In effect the ball joint moves making 
that clonking noise. I know that Rob at PJ Grady (and possibly other 
DMC vendors) sells a collar re-enforcement kit to fix that problem. 
It's only for the lower ball joints.

Other areas you want to check are the bushings. Jack up the front of 
the car and, while looking at the bushings, try and move the control 
arms from side to side. If you see any cracks appear or the metal 
bushing inside the rubber separates from the rubber, then it's time 
to replace the bushing.

There could be something else that's causing your problem but I would 
start with these right now.

Steve

--- In dmcnews@xxxx, paulheymeson@xxxx wrote:
> hello list,
> 
> You may remember my post about a clonking noise on the front wheels.
> I had a lower ball joint put in and it still clonks.
> So I jacked up the wheel drivers side as this is where the sound 
> comes from and shook the wheel up and down and side to side It 
> would,nt make the sound!
> I looked at the bushings and swaybar bushes and although they don't 
> look great there does not appear to be any play at all.
> With the wheels lowered in there normal state though,If you pull 
the 
> wheels about both sides I can hear a slight clonking the same sound 
> when I drive.
> Could this be a steering problem?
> Bear in mind that the clonking sound only happens when you go over 
> bumps in the road,on nice flat roads you can't hear it.
> 
> Help please.
> 
> Paul UK(where flat roads are few)