Mk1 knocking noise and it aint top mounts or cv joints, help

As the title says, a friend has told me of his problem, it is intermittent any ideas other than top mounts or cv joints. The car is not readily available for me to go and check, so could do with some ideas, please

question that people have asked me when ive had probs like this are:

-Does the noise happen with engine speed,  road speed, or unrelated to speed? If its affected by road speed then either Wheel bearing, Inner or Outer CV Joint.

-Affected by road condition? speed bumps, rough roads etc, pot holes?

-Does it happen 'constantly', or isolated knocks? (Indicating something suspension related).

-Does it happen/more/less depending whether turning right/left/straight? Try the classic turning on full lock either way.

Sorry,I wouldnt know the answer but those are teh kinda things you need to listen for

Fire extinguisher in rear footwell? Anything in the boot? Loose wheelnuts? Buckled wheel knocking on bodywork? Loose or badly fitted exhaust system banging on bodywork or rear suspension? Distorted or insecure suspension? It could be lots of other things. Top mounts or CV joints are the favourites for knocking on cornering, though.

paul_c said

Loose or badly fitted exhaust system banging on bodywork or rear suspension?

This happened on my mk1, took me ages to figure it out. Just put some new rubbers on which were a bit stiffer and stopped it moving so much in cornering! problem solved!

Mike

Maniac said

paul_c said

Loose or badly fitted exhaust system banging on bodywork or rear suspension?

This happened on my mk1, took me ages to figure it out. Just put some new rubbers on which were a bit stiffer and stopped it moving so much in cornering! problem solved!

Mike

Funny you should mention that, because I had troubles fitting my exhaust. Basically, because it is slightly off straight, if you simply let the mid section hang, it will rest at an angle which is not a good enough fit and bangs. The trick is to raise the car enough so that you can get a good grip on it and tighten it up whilst holding in the proper position.

I too had this mystery knocking sound..and couldn`t suss it for love nor money… It used to be bad when accelerating, terrible when turning right, but silent as soon as i put the clutch in  :?

 Then whilst playing under the bonnet one sunday afternoon, i happened to notice that the bonnet arm didn`t sit snuggly in the plastic retaining clip! Put another clip on..and lo and behold no more banging  

 So it`s an easy check, and it could save you a lot of time and hassle poking around the cv joints etc…..