Knocking noise driving me mad!!!

[guest1552]

Has any one experienced a knocking noise from the front end? I have an 06 automatic 1.4 and it sounds for all the world like a suspension bush, so thats where the story starts about 8 months ago.

I was due an MOT at the time so told the garage to take a good look. There answer was "whatever the noise was it wasn't an MOT failure, the car passed. I replaced the drop link on the drivers side (as I was told this was a common fault) and hey presto the noise stopped. However I dont know if this was just a temporary coincidence. A few weeks later the knocking started up again and although it is hard to tell the exact location I changed the passenger side. This time no change still the same knocking noticable at low speeds particularly over bumps. Next up I had the main 'D' bushes on the anti-roll bar changed STILL THE NOISE

The drop links i did myself and the others a private garage did for me, so i bit the bullet and took it to Honda they checked it over and said the suspension is spot on...

They charged me for this (aswell as telling me my rear wiper was split and the tyres would soon need changing - thats another story) To investigate further would cost even more so on principal I said no. BUT THE NOISE IS STILL THERE !!! Has any one had similar problems???
Any help desperately appreciated...

[guest1844]

Yes, I get a knocking when going enthusiastically round left hand bends on rough roads. I haven't yet taken the trouble to find out what it is as I won't be able to find that until its a bit worse. My guess is lower wishbone bushes. If it was the ARB links or bushes it would show on all rough roads. I only get it when the RH wheel is loaded over bumps.
The Jazz has a slightly strange lower wishbone, with one "normal" longitudinal bush and one vertical. This must limit suspension travel which is one reason for the stiff springs.
Could the knocking be the damper, or top mount?

[guest1844]

I found out what mine was... the exhaust knocking underneath. I can't find any broken rubbers. The exhaust was replaced a few months ago but I didn't notice it then.

[guest1552]

I will check the wishbone bushes and let you know my findings. \my brother took it out the other day and he thinks its not suspension at all, as it handles impeccably cornering braking etc and the noise isnt neccessarily louder on bigger bumps etc and although I have checked the exhaust im going to check everything else under the bonnet this weekend....

[guest1552]

Well after a weekend attempting to check anything that could possibly come loose and checking the wish bones which seemed ok I was none the wiser just more frustrated!! So after a breather and a few more cuppa's I decided to go back over everything that I had had done. If I rock the car side to side i can just here a faint knock so with the front off side wheel removed grabbing the drop link and pulling back and forth revealed a minute click click as it went back and forth, it was almost a feeling rather than a sound. I checked the near side and it seemed ok although there was an even fainter click but I think that was being transmitted from the other side. Next step - I removed each drop link in turn and drove quietly up our lane and hey presto no noise when drivers side removed. This ironically was the first item I replaced and has done no more than 1500 miles. I guess there's a lesson in there some where but having cured the noise once I shouldn't have assumed it was the other side and not a duff new part fitted
It was a genuine Honda part as well, but hey ho, just happy the torture has stopped...

[guest2875]

Hi John, many thanks for your posting I have exactly the same problem. The garage say all is OK, but the little knocks and bangs are driving me mad.  I have looked at my drop arms and as you say I can feel/hear the knocking.  I will replace both, but are there any tips in the DIY process.  Are the the joints on the drop arm under tension when jacked up and with the wheel off.

Many thanks for feedback

[guest3315]

hi Jhon,

I'm having a same kinda problem ,  replaced all bushings but the sound is still there, i checked the drop links taken off from the car but  couldn't notice any play or noise from them..   what was the feeling to hand when you checked it

[guest4377]

I had this problem, not sure of the technical term for the part.  It was a part that was like a long thin metal rod with two balls, one at each end.   
When it was removed, one ball joint was stiff like the new part.   The other end was all loose and limp. 
Fitted he new rod and hey presto.   I think it was only £27 or something.


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