Hi All,

 

Been trying to resolve a rotten clunking noise when applying the brakes in reverse - particularly when cold. Took it into the local monkey house and they reckon you can see the wheels jerking with play - they reckon the top link arm bushes (?) but cheaper and easier to fit complete arms...There is also a nasty 'thump' from the passenger front wheel area when applying the brakes hard going forward or gently when going over bumps/up kerb.

 

I've had the torsion/tie bar bushes replaced already.

 

Any ideas anyone?? Could anyone supply a part number for the top link arm please??

 

Andyduff - if you read this, please mail me your number (lost it :-(), I could do with you taking a look...

 

Cheers!

 

RobH

 

rph@henrob.co.uk

Rob

 

You'd see this in searches. Lots have had it. This most likely cause is the bolts throught the new poly bushes. They are not tight enough and allow the stainless steel insert to move against the bolt making the clonks. You need to get them re tightened.

 

Check the two holding each tension arm to the bottom track arm as well.

 

Cant remember if it is 17mm or 19mm but get on yer back with a spanner and a socket wrench and tighten them! I found one took nearly a whole extra turn. Stopped the clonks instantly!

 

Done in 5 minutes including getting our your tools

 

Willie

Sounds like you have the same problem I have had and still have, and its getting worse for me.

I thought it was the torsion bushes, and they needed replacing so I replaced them but the clunk didnt change but the car handles better. I changed the roll bar bushes becuase they looked bad and it looked like the roll bar was slipping, again they helped the handling but didnt get rid of the clunk.

 

All a long I have been saying to people its the suspention and most people didnt believe me saying it was something else. Not people on here mind you. One of my friend who has agreed with me from the start about the suspention says its likey to be the top mount due to an experience with one of his cars and I am inclined to agree.

 

The things you are discribing sound exactly like mine. Doesnt do it that often while braking, but does it when going slowly over bumps from speed bump size to small thinks like joins in the tarmac on the road. I have never noticed it over 20mph. It also dones it with me when turning a tight corner slowly, like when you turn to go on the drive and you are near full lock. When that happens it clunks and when I straighten up it clunks back.

You getting this?

 

My car is going into the garage to have the Cats ripped out and to have the clunk noise looked at too. I will tell you how it goes.

 

Stuart

Hmmm....

 

I'll have to check the bolts, I know they have to be really tight from previous posts, not been able to check it myself as yet, my mechanic fitted them...

 

Stuart, I'm not 100% convinced we have the same issue but similar...

 

Mine has two very distinct symptoms, one is the metallic clunk when applying the brakes at low speed in reverse - the other could well be the tie bars not being tight enough, put the brakes on light at speed and nothing, hit 'em a bit harder and 'thump' - there's a bit of a jerk from the front passenger side - feels like play is being taken up. I get the same effect with the brakes on light going over a bump - probably without brakes up a kerb (I don't go up many kerbs)...

I dont get the thump on braking but I dont brake hard. I have heard it while braking while reversing.

I had a wheel moving about and after lost of searching it turned out to be the torsion bar bolts where it fastens to the supension arm were REALLY loose.

One came off with 2 turns of the fingers and the other was not far behind!

Scary really as the wheel could have collapsed into the arch and I'd probably be dead.

I don't think the garage who fitted the poly bushes tightened one side up at all.

I was getting the usual brake judder too but all was well after tightening them up again.

Originally posted by SRRAE

I dont get the thump on braking but I dont brake hard. I have heard it while braking while reversing.

 

Hi guys,

 

Get exactly the same when reversing at low speeds, touch the brakes and clunk. Will follow this post with interest

 

Cheers

 

 

Dean

i get the clunky click when breaking whilst reversing, and i also get a creaky rattly type clunk from my front drivers side corner.. i reckon it could be a duff shock or top links, will have to look when i get new shocks.

Just had mine mot'd today and guess what. It failed due to excess play to the inner bush of the drivers side upper suspension link.

 

I was also getting the clunk in reverse when steering turned.

 

The upside of this is the clunk should be gone when i have fixed this, and on the downside you cant get bushes you have to buy the whole link at a cost of just under £150 including p&p from Mike Freeney.

 

 

I have also replaced the torsion bar bushes recently, and have experienced the cluncking from the big bolts not being tight enough.. These things need to be f**king tight.

 

 

Hope this helps, It seems to be a common thing.

Cheers Mick

I have been told by my mechanic that the clunk has been caused by the rollbar stabilizer link rod. A little rod at the end of the roll bar on both sides.

 

I went to Nissan they are £15+VAT each side. Not bad.

 

 

Thats my problem dont know about yours.

My problem is I've got this ugly chic on my case.

What should I do?

 

Seriously, I also have this (not-so) mysterious clunk when reversing and applying the brakes, will check all nuts and bolts.

 

Cheers guys.

Deffo deffo the pivot bolts for the tension rods. The ones that go through the radiator bottom support bracket thingy... The wheels under normal driving are pushed back while braking.... If the pivot bolts are loose, the arm can move slightly on its bushing within its mount. When you hit the brakes in reverse, the tension rod pushes forwards, and because it isn't tight moves in its bracket. The bang you hear is as it hits the end of its travel. TRUST ME ON THIS GET A LARGE SPANNER ON THOSE BOLTS. One possibility on top of this is worn bolts on the pivots. If the bushes have been fvcked for a long time they will probably have worn the bolt down a bit causing similar problems. Stuart - your problem is different ;)

 

HTH

 

CheerZ,

 

Andy

AndyDuff was right all along. The majority of my problems were due to my mechanic not tightening the tie bar bolts sufficiently. Like ChrisC, one of the two rear bolts was little more than finger tight and the other wasn't much better. The pivot bolt on the most problematic side was a bit loose too....

 

I still have a bit of a 'click' rather than a 'clunk' when applying the brakes in reverse - not nearly as offensive as it was though...

 

Thanks Mr.D!