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Mk2 - Movement at Wheel - Tie Rod? - Knock Sound Turning

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Hi please can someone advise that if you grab the wheel when jacked up at the 9 and 3 o’clock position and can feel movement does that suggest a worn lower ball joint or inner and outer tie rod wear?

When turning sometimes I hear a big clunk from the front left wheel. 
 

Wheel Bearing and Driveshaft have both been replaced recently so don’t suspect them (however you never know). 
 

The only issue I am aware of is the lower ball joint boot has broken so the grease may have gone and could be worn?

Otherwise I think it would be the inner or outer tie rod end?



If it is the Lower Ball Joint and it is badly worn the you can usually see the movement in it when gripping the Wheel and moving  it.

The bottom BJ check should be done with hands at 12 & 6 on the wheel.  Though I prefer to check those using a prybar between arm & hub instead.  I've never found the wobble test to be particularly accurate. 

There is always a bit of play in a hydraulic rack with hands at 3 & 9 which makes it seem like there's a steering fault.  You've got more chance of diagnosing a tie rod by holding the rod itself.

If the BJ boot is damaged, you'll need to replace that anyway, so I'd check the rear wishbone bushes at the same time, as they're a common fail on the Mk2.  Though when I had a failed BJ it made a 'woodpecker' type noise over any rough surface as the ball bounced around in the socket.

One loud clunk while turning is odd.  I would expect that to be a seized suspension top mount making the spring stick but I think you've changed that already?

2 hours ago, TomsFocus said:

The bottom BJ check should be done with hands at 12 & 6 on the wheel. 

I forgot to say that earlier and if it is checked with the wheels on full lock you should be able to see movement. 

And Tom is correct, a Prybar is the normal way. 

  • Author

Appears to be the bottom ball joint which has worn (after boot got damaged).

Shall need to get a replacement and drill those studs off!

Any techniques or tips for this job?

How good is the rear bush?  I wouldn't bother drilling the BJ rivets out as the bushes are likely to need replacement anyway.  Easiest to swap the whole arm.

You will need to work out whether it's an 18mm or 21mm ball joint.  (Thread on this posted yesterday)

  • Author

Can’t find the post @TomsFocus?
 

But after checking on the parts catalogue it’s coming back as 21mm by the looks of things.

Not sure of the condition of the rear bushes is there a way to check? Pry bar?

56 minutes ago, willdudeuk said:

Can’t find the post @TomsFocus?
 

But after checking on the parts catalogue it’s coming back as 21mm by the looks of things.

Not sure of the condition of the rear bushes is there a way to check? Pry bar?

This thread.  I would expect yours to be 21mm but it's not a dead cert.

Yes you can use a pry bar to check the play in the rear bushes. 

If you have an assistant you can also check by watching the amount of movement in the wheel as the driver tries to pull away with the handbrake on hard.

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