I love my car but it's doing my f-ing head in.

OSF area, a fast-paced knocking/rumble that I can feel in the chassis - happens on uneven surfaces.

I have replaced, in the last 6 months of hunting this noise;

- Both front shocks (needed for MOT anyway)
- Suspension top mounts
- Lower control arm wishbone
- Anti roll bar drop links
- Anti roll bar bushes (power flex)

I have checked;

- Brake caliper and all associated nuts and bolts
- All subframe mounting bolts

Please please if anyone has any suggestions, or fancies a car BBQ, please let me know

Sounds like (and you haven't changed) bearings or drive shaft joint (more bearings)

never thought to check wheel bearing in all honesty, ill give it a go thanks

car is silent above 30mph and on smooth surfaces

almost like the clunk/knock is in time with the holes in the road surface

51 minutes ago, Swearwolf said:

almost like the clunk/knock is in time with the holes in the road surface

That could be more driveshaft or CV joint, just check engine or gearbox mounts too

Sounds like bottom ball joint but I assume that was replaced with the wishbones.

Driveshaft intermediate bearing might be worth checking.

1 hour ago, DaveT70 said:

That could be more driveshaft or CV joint, just check engine or gearbox mounts too

thanks mate - ill try to figure out how to test those!

49 minutes ago, TomsFocus said:

Sounds like bottom ball joint but I assume that was replaced with the wishbones.

Driveshaft intermediate bearing might be worth checking.

yes mate. also noticed a small tear on the boot of it, so ground out the riveted one and bolted a brand new one. no luck lol, cheers mate

small update

yesterday i went to swap the bushing on the top mount with another spare i had, didnt realise the reason i had a spare was because a bolt had snapped off in it so rebuilt the shock and put back on car. can say for certain i torqued the top nut down as tight as it would go.

noise still there, mildly quieter

went out today under the car with a torch and rubber mallet, nothing making any noise

decided to check the top nuts again while on the car on the ground

passenger side top nut nice and tight

driver side (problem side) i could undo by hand... wtf

have tightened it back down (including holding the strut with the allen socket) and plenty of loctite

i feel like the top bushing being aftermarket isnt helping? has anyone had this issue? going to buy a genuine ford one at the end of the month i think

Just wanted to update this in case over the years anyone has the same issue

I managed to fix it!

It was the top plate on the top of the strut that was the issue, not the bearing but the actual solid top plate.

Bought a genuine ford one, came with genuine ford bearing and new bolts and nut for £38 and the noise is gone

Hallelujah !

...it's back 🥵