Knocking Noise

[matto2494]

Hi all

I seem to have developed a knock in the rear of my car. It seems to be progressively worse.

The cars a mk3 estate so doesn't have subframe bushes that I'm aware of.

The back feels really loose when turning right, stable as a rock when going left.

Car feels like it is break loose when going over rough roads as well.

Took it to ford they had it up on the ramp and couldn't find a thing wrong, it's getting worse and worse.

Any one got any ideas? I'm lost. I initially thought drop links but after having a friend shaking the car something silly with me under the car holding onto them I couldn't feel any play.

[BigD]

When does it knock? When turning? Or just generally driving about in straight lines?

Could the rear shocks need replacing? What condition are they in? I assume the springs are in tact?

Any lateral movement in the wheel indicating worn bearings?

[matto2494]

No movement in the wheel. Happens when cornering. Or going over bumpy ground. From what I can see the springs are intact. It's weird as it only feels loose if cornering or if the car goes light. It's worse when the car goes light. It feels like the car not connected to the floor.

[BigD]

Hmm, I'd take a closer look at the springs. I've had several break (all on the front, mind, on my Focus), and they all broke near the top - roughly the last 6-9 inches broke off. So maybe that's how they normally break.

And the thing is, you couldn't really tell by looking at it, but it knocked like hell when turning, or going over bumps.

Just a thought - jack the car up and see if you can move the spring. Jacking it up will release some of the load off the spring.

[stevegtuk]

As above, recheck springs. Also have a look at the anti roll bar bushes, they have been known to go occasionally, and check the exhaust mounts, handbrake cable and wheel bearings

[colinellis]

Take her into somewhere like kwik fit or national tyres, just because Ford couldn't find an issue doesn't mean they wont. Just run it in and describe your symptoms and let them look. Have you owned it long has it had a bump on the rear? My 407sw felt like this ( No knocking sound tho) after a knock to the rear wheel in the snow after replacing the rear hub. I ended having 4 wheel alignment at kwik fit and afterwards it felt like it was bolted to the floor.

[BigD]

Take her into somewhere like kwik fit

Seriously... don't! You might as well ask your nan.

[colinellis]

Seriously... don't! You might as well ask your nan.

Why not? i have taken my motors to both Kwikfit & National tyres in my local area and always had a decent service from them and a thorough examination. Are the ones near you no good?

[Nighthawk]

Seriously... don't! You might as well ask your nan.

You'll probably get better service and maybe a nice cuppa

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[higgsy]

One thing I'll say about kwik fit is there are some good ones, I think its down to the manager overall, I mean crapness comes from the top in all businesses. My local quick fit used to be run by a top guy, he was an ex dealer mechanic with lots of experience, did many a barrow job for me when I had a punto about 12 years ago, fitted a stainless exhaust, re tapped wheel bolt holes a hub another garage had messed up amongst other things for a few beers, and was always happy to show me how to do things. He left and I had nothing but trouble with them - tracking completely messed up, trying to sell me brakes I didn't need, using steel wheel weights instead of sticky weights on alloys. The weights were the last score for me, when getting it fixed the dude who fixed it was telling me the place had gone downhill and a new manager had just got a load of his mates in who knew nothing and he was looking for a transfer to a better branch and told me never to bring my car there again (as I think he could see it was well cared for). I think the moral is it's a lottery, but if you have used them before in your area and got good service then that's good, its probably no more a lottery taking it to a Kwik fit than any other without recommendation. Then again people used warn me against used my local backstreet garage, but I have had nothing but great service from them.

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[matto2494]

I think I've found the knock. It seems to be the exhaust. Looks like a mounting has failed somewhere. Job for the weekend

I wouldn't think this would make the car feel like it's running on jelly at the back though. Any thoughts on that?

[BigD]

First, about Kwik Fit. I've heard some people say good things about them. But then I've heard a far greater number say bad things about them, plus my own personal experience hasn't been positive. And I'll leave it at that.

I wouldn't think this would make the car feel like it's running on jelly at the back though. Any thoughts on that?

You might have alignment problems. Are you noticing any uneven tyre wear? There's a place near me called Bush Tyres who do free alignment checks - I don't think they have sites outside of Lincolnshire but I could be wrong. I had mine done after I noticed the front tyres weren't wearing evenly and were borderline-illegal. So I got two new tyres on and had it checked, front and back. The alignment of all four wheels was off - the rears in particular. I think it cost me £260 for a pair of Bridgestone tyres and a full geometry alignment.