Front Nearside Knocking

[sotal]

To give the full history...

We have owned the Bongo for about 14 months now. Purchased from Ian Taylor.

When we got it there was a bit of a knocking at the back so on the first service (6 months) Ian replaced the two rear drop links and that cured it, then about 3 months later I started to get a bit of knocking from the front nearside so presumed it would be the front drop link(s). I waited 3 months until the next service & MOT and mentioned it. It turned out it needed a new drop link for the MOT on the Offside. So that was replaced but the nearside was said to be fine.

The knocking has continued though

So I bought another drop link from Ian and fitted it myself today, however I became doubtful of the need for a new one as soon as I started to remove the old one! I was able to unbolt it with ease - no need for cutting. Handling it once removed confirmed that it feels absolutely fine.

I fitted the new one anyway so that it has had all new drop links in recent months.

However as I feared once I took it out for a drive the knocking was still there

So does anyone have any ideas on what it could be?


I can't go and make it happen, but I only had to drive two streets away to get it to happen on my test drive.

It isn't a constant knocking noise, just two or 3 knocks every so often.

It tends to happen when turning and using the suspension at the same time if that makes sense.

Rough road can sometimes make it happen.

It happens most when cold, once you are well into a journey it doesn't seem to knock at all.

It happens at any speed but doesn't sound speed related.

I can go and drive round in full circles forwards and backwards without it knocking at all.

[Bob]

Is it 2 or 4 wheel drive?

[sotal]

4wd, 2.5 Diesel AFT. Facelift 1999

[Northern Bongolow]

34-310 on this link below is the front wishbone, it has a rubber bush at each end to pivot on then the ball joint on the swivel end for the hub to turn on, sometimes the bushes knock but more often its the ball joint that has a slight amount of wear, this can knock quite loudly, unfortunately if it is the ball joint thats gone then its best to replace it all, it comes in one piece with the wishbone, and 2 bushes, and the ball joint. its best to get a good quality wishbone, either blueprint or gen mazda are best.

http://lushprojects.com/bongopartsmk2/c ... mgno=.html


you can go into any good testing station and get them to check this for you, the new mot testing ramps have shake plates fitted to them, simply drive your bongo on and switch on the shaker, it will find any duff suspension components or wheel bearings etc.

the top of the shocker can also knock if the bearing is worn, its a bearing in the middle of the 3 bolts under the bonnet.

[sotal]

Thanks,

The wishbone looked in decent condition and the big rubber bushes look good, but I didn't really inspect the ball joint much.

It passed it's MOT a few weeks ago with the knocking present (and I told them about the knocking so hopefully they tested it as well as possible)


I took a longer drive this evening and it seemed much better, don't know if it is just chance though so will have to see how it goes over the next few weeks.

I forgot to say before that it seems to have always been when turning right and using the suspension.

[Northern Bongolow]

now your an expert in jacking it up at the front , jack it up with the suspension hanging, put an axle stand under the chassis then get under with a 3 foot bar and try to lift the suspension you will hear it, especially if you turn the suspension like you have said. better if someone else bars it while your hand is near the ball joint, you will feel it knocking if its gone.

it can be hard to detect a duff one but a new one is really tight to move side to side when out in your hand.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zVLkavBGTVQ

[wonkanoby]

have you looked at the roll bar brackets and bushes

[sotal]

have you looked at the roll bar brackets and bushes

I had a little inspection whilst under there and the rubbers look intact and aren't perished. Nothing obvious but I guess I'm not putting 2 tonnes on them.

[cmm303]

now your an expert in jacking it up at the front , jack it up with the suspension hanging, put an axle stand under the chassis then get under with a 3 foot bar and try to lift the suspension you will hear it, especially if you turn the suspension like you have said. better if someone else bars it while your hand is near the ball joint, you will feel it knocking if its gone.

it can be hard to detect a duff one but a new one is really tight to move side to side when out in your hand.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zVLkavBGTVQ

This detailed post by Bongolia any help? http://igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/forum/view ... er#p678098

[nth]

I have just yesterday replaced a front shocker on mine for a knocking noise that when I first heard it would have sworn it was a balljoint or droplink gone. not a bit of freeplay found in either of them with weight on or off the suspension. Turned out to be the shocker, even with the wheel suspended & a big lever under the wheel there was no up & down movement in it. the only movement I could get was with the wheels on the ground, holding the wheel at the 12 o'clock position with both hands & pushing the wheel in & out got a very slight clicking. Anyway, new shocker on & noise is now gone.

[Junglementalist]

Hello there!

I wondered if you managed to find the solution to this? I am having the same issue. Knocking occasionally but not all the time. Worse in the morning when the van is cold. Some days quite bad, others not so bad.
I have taken to the mechanic twice but every time I do, the knocking isnt there frustratingly. They have test-driven it and put it on the ramp and shaken it. But they say everything is fine underneath.
Would love to hear what fixed it if you managed too?
Thanks