Hi all

A funny knocking/banging sound has developed in my TS. It sounds as if it's coming from the front left wheel arch/suspension area. I don't think that it is a CV joint as the traditional 'bok bok bok' noise doesn't occur when turning or on full lock. I have had the car up on a hoist about 3 times at the local mechanic. Nothing was found, and apparently everything was tight and proper underneath.

So, this noise strangely appears when:

Going over a speedbump
When taking off, slowly and gently
Whenever the car is on an incline (ie: when one side of the car is lower than the other)
Full lock
Full lock and reversing

Just recently, I have been a little scared as an almighty BANG! has come from the front suspension/driveshaft area on the flat, after taking off slowly from traffic lights.

These bangs can be felt through the pedals.

I don't know what to think, as I have had new strut towers put in the front (monroe GT gas) and have had the clutch redone. The CV joints are a little worn, I believe, as at carpark speeds in first I can hear a slight ratcheting noise.

I have also noticed that shifting into first can be quite difficult. The gear shifter gets thrown back when I try and shift into first at low speeds and makes a grinding noise, like the shifter is getting caught on a gate or something. Was told that this is because the clutch needs adjusting. Shifting between first, second and third is very clunky and I can really feel the gates catching and every shift makes a 'clunk' sound and the shifter vibrates.

Anyone got any ideas? Cheers!

One thing you might want to check is the big nut in the top of the suspension mount, take the rubber cap off and you'll see it, could possibly be loose, mine was when I first got it, make sure you really try tightening it with a proper socket, I'd looked at mine and thought it was tight, but later discovered it wasn't. Was getting big knocking sounds in the front left, but only at certain times, usually when no-one else was around to show. After tightening, the sound was gone.

I'll check both nuts on the suspension towers first thing tomorrow

might be no grease in the c/v boot, even though it may not be split whoever put it on might not of put enough in or no grease at all

well the car is booked in for monday, getting the gearbox/syncros/oil checked out. I also suspect that a few engine mounts need to be replaced as the engine 'bounces' after gear changes, axel tramps all over the place and such forth. ****ed engibe mounts would most definately be the answer to the probs I'm having.

Fulcrum do free suspention checks :D

check your ball joints, i suspect your lower controll arm is the knock