knocking front suspension

HI

Ive just replaced a front dampner on my mk1 92 clippper convertable as it had a massive oil leak and am now getting a knocking noise from the same suspension. everything looks ok, the top mount looks nearly new and as tight as I can do it up. any ideas what could be causing it, there was no knocking before I changed the dampner? :dontknow:

Did you change complete strut or just the insert?

just the insert

Does the knocking occur in a straight line or just when you turn the wheel ?

Only in a straight line I think

I've swapped front strut inserts where the insert is shorter than the strut and supplied with a big washer to place at the bottom or top so that it is clamped tight in the strut. Was the insert held tight when you did up the large nut at the top of the strut?

Only other thing to check is that you refitted all the washers and spacers etc exactly as they came off.

miclj said

Only in a straight line I think

So it's definitely a knock and not a  creak ?

Def a knock

I didn't notice any extra washers with the inserts or lenght difference, but not sure how close i looked. I'm gonna have to dismatle it tomorrow to try and find fault, it just seems weird that there was no knock before and now there is

From another thread this is the squence of bits and bobs making up the top mount;

plastic cover disc
large @22mm retaining nut
large flat washer
collar thats stop bearing being crushed
top mount
spring plate
smaller washer that sits on the machined recess on the strut
rubber bumpstop
plastic dust shield

"Early-1800" said

I've swapped front strut inserts where the insert is shorter than the strut and supplied with a big washer to place at the bottom or top so that it is clamped tight in the strut. Was the insert held tight when you did up the large nut at the top of the strut?

My thoughts exactly that the insert is loose in the strut, excluding any other parts that may have been wrongly assembled.

Insert was loose in strut, but there is now play in the top mount which. Is knocking, it was not kno knocking before new insert?

turns out the bearing is knackerd on top mount, must have been on its way out, probly due to being banged around due to being driven with a completly knackered insert for the last few month :redfaced:  I did have to put a washer in the bottom of strut to stop insert moving as well, thanks for all the help thou guys