Technical N/S/F wheel clunk over bumps

[wedders]

Hi all.

Guess what? More problems on the 20yo dream machine!

When it passed MOT in December the tester gave me the keys and said "as I was bringing it round to the front there was a clunk from the nearside front wheel - obviously I've had it on the lift and haven't seen anything concerning so I think it's safe, but you might want to check the anti roll bar"

Sure enough there's a clunk... only happens when going straight over a bump, not when cornering, so it seems like roll bar from my Googling...

Had the wheel off today and not sure if it looks that bad? The rubber mounts are def worn but do we think this is the problem?

>>> Relevant eLearn page

The only other thing I noticed is the top of the strut - but it just looks like the rubber boot gone to me, mount is fine, and I had new front shocks fitted by a garage about two years ago so I'd have expected them to say something if it was messed up!

Anyway here's a load of photos, all input welcome!

 

[varesecrazy]

I would fit 2 new DropLinks of a Good Quality 1st.. See if the sound changes

Cheapest and simplest

 

[wedders]

I read about drop links in relation to other cars but I can't find any mention of them on eLearn, nor did I see anything that looked like what I saw elsewhere on my car.

This page on eLearn is an overview of front suspension with an exploded diagram, I can't see anything that looks like a drop link? In the equivalent Grande Punto page they call them connecting rods.

 

[varesecrazy]

From this view,

44301/00 - FRONT SUSPENSION

FIAT IDEA (2003-2008)

eper.fiatforum.com

It would appear you are correct

No mounting tab on the damper / shock absorber body

 

[The Panda Nut]

I read about drop links in relation to other cars but I can't find any mention of them on eLearn, nor did I see anything that looked like what I saw elsewhere on my car.

This page on eLearn is an overview of front suspension with an exploded diagram, I can't see anything that looks like a drop link? In the equivalent Grande Punto page they call them connecting rods.

From your photo the anti roll bar bolts to the lower arm. Check carefully you have not lost a small portion of spring. My experience of anti roll bar rubbers is more of a rumbling but it is possible. I have some unwanted ones for a Panda169 but dont know if the are the same size. I think maybe its a lower balljoint or a strut or top mount. Struts can start clonking when worn. Your struts look new though. I had to take the suspension apart on a Panda and re site the lower spring cup slightly to stop a clonk after the struts were changed. I never saw anything wrong, but this did stop the clonk. Finally I found a clonk over bumps was a loose air con condenser. Found by slapping and bumping everything at the front. The noise sounded like suspension.

 

[rmjbn1]

Not sure I like the look of the ARB bushes. Looks like the end of the ARB is making contact with the underside of the control arm - could be your knocking?

 

[wedders]

From your photo the anti roll bar bolts to the lower arm. Check carefully you have not lost a small portion of spring. My experience of anti roll bar rubbers is more of a rumbling but it is possible. I have some unwanted ones for a Panda169 but dont know if the are the same size. I think maybe its a lower balljoint or a strut or top mount. Struts can start clonking when worn. Your struts look new though. I had to take the suspension apart on a Panda and re site the lower spring cup slightly to stop a clonk after the struts were changed. I never saw anything wrong, but this did stop the clonk. Finally I found a clonk over bumps was a loose air con condenser. Found by slapping and bumping everything at the front. The noise sounded like suspension.

I had the clutch done I think early 2020 and they replaced one of the struts as it was toast, though I'm not sure which side that was.

I was slapping everything around in the wheel well haha expecting to find something loose, guess I'll do the same in the engine bay.

Will keep "take it apart and put it back together" in mind.

Looks like the 169's roll bar is 20/21mm depending on engine, Idea is apparently 22mm. I'm sure it could be squeezed on but I'll have a look for correct size.

Not sure I like the look of the ARB bushes. Looks like the end of the ARB is making contact with the underside of the control arm - could be your knocking?

I believe there is a depression in the control arm right under the tip there but it looked dodgy to me too.

Assuming a rubber puck isn't expensive I think I'll replace them and see.

 

[The Panda Nut]

Did it start clonking after the strut was done?

 

[The Panda Nut]

Wow that last pic.... Rollbarrubber isshot to bits. But do thhem all. One old strut and a new one will give them a very hard time