Another CLUNK thread...

2047 Views 14 Replies 8 Participants Last post by tesprit, Aug 25, 2009

PierreTT

Discussion Starter · Jul 24, 2009

Folks,

I'm having this dang "CLUNK" sound coming from under the right side of the car when I hit small cracks or speed bump. Its goes much worst when my suspension is set harder (I have Track Pack Bilstein)

I checked front and rear suspension and found nothing special. Dunno how to check the steering rack but there is no play at all anywhere...

I suspect it is coming from something loose under the middle section of the car.

Before I unbolt all this stuff, any thoughts????? :shrug:

Thanks!
Pierre

1 - 15 of 15 Posts

ItsThaMonsta

· #2 · Jul 24, 2009

Can you slightly feel it through the steering wheel? If so then its the steering rack. Hope you got warranty.

PierreTT

Discussion Starter · #3 · Jul 24, 2009

Can't feel anything from steering wheel.
Still have 3 weeks of warranty... will have to dig FAST!!

SirLotus

· #4 · Jul 24, 2009

Take the car in before your warranty expires so that it is recorded as an issue.
Michael

PierreTT said:
Can't feel anything from steering wheel.
Still have 3 weeks of warranty... will have to dig FAST!!

PierreTT

Discussion Starter · #5 · Jul 24, 2009

This what I would have to do I guess
Just trying to find it myself so I avoid a 200 miles drive back & forth to the dealer...

HKFEVER

· #6 · Jul 25, 2009 (Edited)

2

From my experience, I have this noise in front http://www.lotustalk.com/forums/f101/noise-front-left-side-74081/

Went to dealer and they checked but no help got worst after their check up.

So I jacked up the car and tighten what ever bolts and nuts (around 30+ bolts and nuts) I can see under the car + the 4 bolts of the steering rack and all the ball joints nuts. I will do the rear in next week.

Check with the attached JPGs.

See less See more

BealeAss

· #7 · Jul 26, 2009

I've got this too and I'm wondering since I already know it "could" be a steering rack issue if I'm just imagining that the steering wheel has more play than it should.

JnC

· #8 · Jul 27, 2009

I had a similar clunk on the right side. As it turned out there was some sort of black electronics box that rides on a metal slat. It was near the fusebox and bouncing around. Pushing it back onto it's metal tab seemed to have fixed it since.

You might want to remove the access panel on the passenger side and have a look around.

PierreTT

Discussion Starter · #9 · Jul 27, 2009

Going at the dealer on Friday
I'll post the results
Thanks for the comments though

pierre

NeedANewCure

· #10 · Aug 25, 2009

PierreTT said:
Going at the dealer on Friday
I'll post the results
Thanks for the comments though

pierre

I am having the same clunking issue with my '08 Exige with about 10k miles. It feels like mechanical tapping through the steering wheel but seemingly only when the suspension is not loaded up (slow speeds, straight lines, minor road irregularities.)

Recently, the tapping started to be accompanied by an audible "thunk." I'll share what I learn if you do. What did your dealer have to say...?

tesprit

· #11 · Aug 25, 2009 (Edited)

NeedANewCure said:
I am having the same clunking issue with my '08 Exige with about 10k miles. It feels like mechanical tapping through the steering wheel but seemingly only when the suspension is not loaded up (slow speeds, straight lines, minor road irregularities.)

Recently, the tapping started to be accompanied by an audible "thunk." I'll share what I learn if you do. What did your dealer have to say...?

What you are describing are the classic symptoms of a worn steering rack.

The easiest way I have found to test for a worn steering rack on these cars is to put the key in the ignition so the steering column is unlocked. Now, standing outside the closed driver's door with the window down, press the ball of your left foot against the rear of the front tire sidewall so your heel is on the ground and the ball and toes of your foot are bracing the tire sidewall so it can't easily be steered. Reach inside the car with your right hand and grasp the steering wheel between your forefinger and thumb and gently but rapidly rock the wheel from side to side. Listen carefully and feel with your toes when the steering wheel starts to try to move the tire. You will hear quiet thumping or clunking from the lower steering column as well as feel a tapping sensation in your foot if the rack is worn. You will also notice movement (slop) in the steering wheel before it tries to turn the wheel your foot is bracing. If it passes this test, something else is loose in the suspension.

See less See more

PierreTT

Discussion Starter · #12 · Aug 25, 2009

I'm still struggling to find the problem. I went to the dealer just before my warranty expires and they told me it is my right shock... :no: Easy because I changed the suspension.

I just did your test and I do hear a little "thumb", very quiet, when I do it. I suspect you are damn right...

Now, back to the dealer... :evil: Even if my warranty is expired. I need to know.

Pierre

tesprit

· #13 · Aug 25, 2009

PierreTT said:
I'm still struggling to find the problem. I went to the dealer just before my warranty expires and they told me it is my right shock... :no: Easy because I changed the suspension.

I just did your test and I do hear a little "thumb", very quiet, when I do it. I suspect you are damn right...

Now, back to the dealer... :evil: Even if my warranty is expired. I need to know.

Pierre

I wouldn't be so certain it is the rack. In your initial post you said the clunk is coming from the right hand side of the car. That is not normally where the worn rack clunks are heard. The clunking from a worn rack usually is heard from the area where the lower steering column attaches to the rack pinion on the left side of the car by the driver's feet. Read the post from NeedANewCure again. That is a very accurate description of worn rack symptoms and differs from what you are describing. Of course, pinpointing where a clunking sound is coming from on a car can be very subjective. Have you tried having a passenger listen with you for the clunks to give their opinion?

If the dealer thinks it is a bad right hand front shock, try removing that shock and replacing it temporarily with your original shock. Drive the car over the streets that cause the clunking noise to see if it stops. If it doesn't, you have just proven it isn't your new shock.

PierreTT

Discussion Starter · #14 · Aug 25, 2009

Tesprit,

I did that test with another shock. The clunk was still there. The harder the adjustable shock is, the easier it is to hear the sound when I hit a crack or a small bump on the road. I also triple checked the adjustable sway bar, nothing loose.

I will test it with my original Bilstein (base suspension...) Thursday.

After testing with 3 different shocks, I doubt something else than the rack can be the source of this noise...

Thanks for your help, really appreciated

Perre

tesprit

· #15 · Aug 25, 2009

PierreTT said:
Tesprit,

I did that test with another shock. The clunk was still there. The harder the adjustable shock is, the easier it is to hear the sound when I hit a crack or a small bump on the road. I also triple checked the adjustable sway bar, nothing loose.

I will test it with my original Bilstein (base suspension...) Thursday.

After testing with 3 different shocks, I doubt something else than the rack can be the source of this noise...

Thanks for your help, really appreciated

Perre

After all those tests it sounds like you have narrowed this down to your rack. With all your shock testing, it certainly can't be a bad shock. Have you tried taking someone with you to help listen for the source of the clunks, or maybe have them drive the car while you listen from the passenger side? I feel for you with this clunking, because I went through a similar process with my car and it turned out to be the rack.

1 - 15 of 15 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.