Hi,

Just wondering if anyone else has come across this!  We have a 2008 TDCi 2.0 which has an intermittent 'clunking' sound coming from underneath the car.  We're at a loss as to what it is!  I've looked at lots of YouTube videos and even our mechanic is at a loss.  It tends to happen when going at slower speeds more, but isn't something that happens just as it's warming up.

We're hoping to sell the car in a few months as getting a new car but despite the mechanic saying it doesn't seem to be anything to worry about, I certainly wouldn't buy a car with a clunk like that!  Can only explain it as sounding like a very large and heavy coiled spring going.  I've asked mechanic to look at the suspension springs again but at a bit of a loss!

 

Any ideas gratefully received!

7 minutes ago, Vicstress said:

Hi,

Just wondering if anyone else has come across this!  We have a 2008 TDCi 2.0 which has an intermittent 'clunking' sound coming from underneath the car.  We're at a loss as to what it is!  I've looked at lots of YouTube videos and even our mechanic is at a loss.  It tends to happen when going at slower speeds more, but isn't something that happens just as it's warming up.

We're hoping to sell the car in a few months as getting a new car but despite the mechanic saying it doesn't seem to be anything to worry about, I certainly wouldn't buy a car with a clunk like that!  Can only explain it as sounding like a very large and heavy coiled spring going.  I've asked mechanic to look at the suspension springs again but at a bit of a loss!

 

Any ideas gratefully received!

Hi Tori,

Around 10mph after every start up the ABS tests itself and it causes a 'clunk' sound and is completely normal.  Could this be it? 

5 minutes ago, Albert27 said:

Hi Tori,

Around 10mph after every start up the ABS tests itself and it causes a 'clunk' sound and is completely normal.  Could this be it? 

Thanks for your reply!  I had read about this but it's pretty consistent throughout the whole ride, not just on startup.  Annoyingly, it seems to have started after we gave the car to a garage to fix a squeak that was coming from the back of the car.  They fitted new anti-roll bar links and it's been since then really.  Unfortunately, due to the car being off the road for other issues, we didn't get to chase with the garage until recently and of course they're denying all knowledge!

I don't suppose misfitted anti-roll bar links could make that sort of noise?

5 minutes ago, Vicstress said:

Thanks for your reply!  I had read about this but it's pretty consistent throughout the whole ride, not just on startup.  Annoyingly, it seems to have started after we gave the car to a garage to fix a squeak that was coming from the back of the car.  They fitted new anti-roll bar links and it's been since then really.  Unfortunately, due to the car being off the road for other issues, we didn't get to chase with the garage until recently and of course they're denying all knowledge!

I don't suppose misfitted anti-roll bar links could make that sort of noise?

Honest answer is I don't know.  Hopefully somebody else will chip in and answer that one........

whats your control arm bushes like? drop links will make a clunk as well if they are goosed. a broken coil will do it on corners and a coil that not seated properly might do it as well, at the age of your car you bushes will likely be needing replaced so its worth checking out.

can you create the sound to order?  is it generally caused by bumps in the road or is it linked to how you drive, like when accelerating, or when decelerating (without touching the brakes)  or when braking,  or turning left , or right, or up hill or downhill or when there is a camber on the road etc.

Years ago I had a FWD Ford Escort that had a bad clunk that I could recreate by jabbing my foot on and off the throttle in a low gear. I eventually found it was the engine/gearbox mount on the left side of car. The bolt needed doing up tighter. But it was not obviously loose. the nut was tight on the thread but not tight enough to hold the mount firmly. It was a big bolt/nut  that went through the centre of a rubber mount.  These things can take time to track down

 

 

Thanks guys, sorry for not responding sooner!  Mechanic has had another look and can't find anything!

I'd say that it comes up when the car's weight is on one side...not just corners but slight bends too.  I'm pretty sure he mentioned the bushes needed doing soon so suprised he didn't mention that!

They are clunk machines lol new control arms should transform the drive and check the sway bar links for any play also jack up the rear of the car and check the rear springs for any breaks.