Knocking Noise...

[joebreck117]

So lately I've been hearing a knocking coming from my front right (passenger) side wheel whenever I hit a bump.
With the car on the ground, I grabbed the tire and shook back and forth, but nothing seemed loose.
I put the car on a jack (jack positioned under the body, not the suspension) , and still, everything feels solid.
Any ideas?

[packrat427]

Most likely you have a CV joint that is close to failing .
When they start wearing and the boot becomes torn and throws the grease out , or they just wear out , they will knock , maybe more when turning tight .

[WmWatt]

A common test for worn CV joints is to take the car to an empty parking lot and go in slow tight circles each way listening for noise. The joints are not usually replaced by themselves as it's cheaper to buy the complete rebuilt axel assembly.

[Damkid]

are you sure the ball joint is good?

[joebreck117]

Honestly no I have no idea. I only seem to get the noise when I'm driving, and that's turning or going straight, it seems to be the same noise either way too.

I don't mean it does this on level ground, if that's the idea I'm giving off. It's when I hit a bump or pothole.
And when you say that a CV joint may be close to failing, its been doing for a long time, soo....I dunno. I'd like to do something about it.

[roycehof]

Sounds to me to be a strut mount - Have you looked at the rubber in the strut mount (Should be able to see it with the hood open. If that looks good then look at the sway bar bushings - both on the lower control arm and on the body mount.
I doubt if it is a ball joint (there is usually a lot of wandering over bumps when they get loose)- But check it anyway - Jack up the car and see if the tire moves in and out at the bottom (Easy to check - Should not be more than about a 16th of an inch (0.060) of play)

[jglutz]

Honestly no I have no idea. I only seem to get the noise when I'm driving, and that's turning or going straight, it seems to be the same noise either way too.

I don't mean it does this on level ground, if that's the idea I'm giving off. It's when I hit a bump or pothole.
And when you say that a CV joint may be close to failing, its been doing for a long time, soo....I dunno. I'd like to do something about it.

All of the previous advise is pretty sound...it's really a good place to start.

CV joint can sound bad for years....they can sound bad for a day....or they can sound bad for a year and be trash in a couple of minutes...CV joint failure is very unpredictable....

I would really try to duplicate the sound as previously described before moving onto more diagnostics...

If you still cann't duplicate the noise....I would push down with alot of force on the fender near the wheel like you were testing the shocks...and see if you can then duplicate the noise.

[joebreck117]

K, I'll try all this.
Just went out to check C.V. boots, and they seem fine.

[scitzz]

I completely agree with Joe, although to me it sounds as if you had a bad strut, if you have alot of bounce, ie the strut is spongy, it may be that it is "bottoming out" when you hit a bump, but guesswork replace till it is fixed is VERY expen$ive.

[jglutz]

scitzz1....the spring may be broken, cracked or getting goofy in the flange....and the shock is in good condition...so ther may not be a bounce problem....very common problem

[scitzz]

too true, and I didn't think of that!

That is why I love forums, you get all kinds of ideas!

I had a knock in my minivan, was a bad strut, so it came straight to mind.......

I have to admit, it is harder for me to diagnose without actually seeing the car, I am fairly quick in that situation, ie, I can walk over, push the bumper, look at the spring, and so forth, all in less time than it takes my slow typing fingers to type this post!