Hi All,

 

Not on the Z but on my Vectra!

 

When steering at slow speeds there's been a grinding noise recently from the passenger side front. I took the wheel off last night and couldn't see anything structurally wrong with it, however I gave all the joints a little spray of WD40.

 

The grinding noise seems to have gone away - however there is now a clunking noise when steering or going over bumps etc.

 

My initial thoughts is the top suspension strut bearings have gone maybe?

Edited May 12, 20169 yr by coopd

Does the noise only happen when you're steering? Does it happen when you're not moving?

It makes a grinding noise when I push down on the passenger side of the bonnet but not really the clunking.

 

I did have an issue where it turned out that the front caliper had stuck on the motorway so the wheel had got incredibly hot... Only noticed once I'd stopped as it stunk! It released again and not had issues with it since... Could that have triggered something else to break? There's no vibration when driving or anything either.

My first thought was roll bar drop links when you said clunking when moving, wouldn't have thought they could grind though.

 

I would be surprised if strut bearings would clunk over bumps as they should still be in compression so what could the bumps do. But clunking when steering does sound like the strut bearings so maybe worth a look anyway. Like si is alluding to, I'd try full lock to full lock a couple of times when stationary to see what happens.

 

They could be separate issues though, I've always found it extremely difficult to judge the location of a noise from in the car. I had a grinding that I was absolutely convinced was from the front, turned out to be a rear brake sticking.

Grinding when turning is normally wheel bearing, knock on bumps lower ball joints, but hard to tell.

I've done the full lock thing whilst stationary... It did it in both directions but mainly the cluck came just after the wheels went from straight to a little bit of lock

Lower ball joint failing (do you have those on a Vectra?). The symptoms you describe are the same as I have had

on my MB E320.

Lower ball joint failing (do you have those on a Vectra?). The symptoms you describe are the same as I have had

on my MB E320 - they are under a lot of stress and are very exposed to the elements.

Lower ball joint failing (do you have those on a Vectra?). The symptoms you describe are the same as I have had

on my MB E320 - they are under a lot of stress and are very exposed to the elements.

 

I think they do... thanks for all your comments guys, think I need to get it to a garage this weekend/early next week.

 

Didn't feel confident bringing it to work today so came in the Z instead!

 

I'll keep you posted:)

Vecra C ?-common for springs snapping.............

Vecra C ?-common for springs snapping.............

 

I couldn't see any signs of that... Just found the below link tonight which backs up what I said earlier. Could maybe be bushes though... Gonna take it to a garage on Monday as I'm off work anyway.

 

I'll just take the z to work again tomorrow :)

 

https://www.vectra-c.com/forum/showthread.php?203143-Grinding-Clunking-noise-from-steering

Booked in for Monday morning.... Until then I have to drive the Zed;)

Top strut bearings. Deffo........

 

Alan......

Suppose we'll see.... My initial thoughts too. If it is, parts are about £50 what dya reckon labour should be?

Picked the car back up yesterday... Turned out to be the near side front anti roll bar link that was causing the noise. Not too bad in the end!

 

No noise at all now:)

Turned out to be the near side front anti roll bar link that was causing the noise

 

My first thought was roll bar drop links

 

Called it :smartass: