Braking whilst crawling in traffic causes a thumping sound from under the front of my car. I can feel it in the footwell but not through the Steering wheel. I jacked my car up and found a little bit of play in my track rod end ball joints... When I removed the gaiter there was a washer/spacer that just seems to be doing nothing!! It's not fixed to the rack end or the ball end - HELP?

Does this make sense - I have hit a couple of V bad pot holes V recently - can this be related? Any ideas guys?

Had a variation in this on a previous zed but was when braking hard over 30 mph, turned out to be top link.However could be tie bars or main bottom joint or shock absorber,bit of a tricky one, but could also be a loose bolt or nut somewhere, got any more desciption, which side loud knock or soft what speed on lock or only straight ahead? etc Jeff TT

Thanks for the tips Jeff - It's getting less easy to receive help and advice on this Forum, and much easier to get into NZR and attitude...

Anyway I have had the wheels off and the track rod end on the right (where I think the noise comes from) is showing quite a bit of play (anyone have one lying around) but on yanking things about in an aggressive manner - it seems to point to the top link as you suggested. Any ideas what I need to buy - is it just a bush replacement. Thanks again Jeff.

MORE INFO... I only notice it at low speed... does'ant happen in reverse. Direction does'ant seem to matter. Seems to be on the right only. Perhaps I have pot-holed it again??

Are any of the bushes leaking?

 

Hmmmm... has anyone got any further with this? I seem to have the same problem and now when braking hard I get the shaking as if the tie bar bushes have gone - which is completely impossible because they were changed a month or so ago. I'm actually wondering if one of the bolts on the tie bars has come loose....

 

CheerZ,

 

Andy

Andy

 

I have exactly the same problem. Changed tie rod (one knackered) and both disks (both warped). There was a vast improvement, but it still judders under heavy breaking. Just passed MOT ok, and all possible places to check look tight and in good nick - so I'd appreciate any suggestions as to what could be the fault/worn part.

 

Jack

Just a few thoughts on this problem. Firstly, even though a disc is brand new it does not mean that it can be wrapped, I had an experience with a Triumph TR6 where I replaced the discs and the problem got worse because one of the discs was way out of alingement. Secondly, you visually check discs to see if they are going bad, i.e, are they scored, are there any "Blue" heat marks on their surface. Thirdly worn or badly fitting pads that move about can also cause these type of noises and are a bugger to find.

 

I hope this helps and is not to techie for some.

 

Laterz,

 

Jonezey.

This is really starting to do my nut in now Spent £x on new discs and calipers and then the tie bars.... Not so much the money involved but the fact that I thought I had the problem sorted. Oh well, front end is coming apart this weekend and I WILL find the cause of this - the more I think about it the more I reckon it could be one of the tie bars come loose again... I will keep this thread up to date with progress etc once I know more.

 

CheerZ,

 

Andy

Hiya Andy,

 

I've been reading this thread and thought I'd offer my 2p worth.

 

I had a very similar (if not same) symptom. Mine thumped when getting close to a stand-still position - no feeling through the steering wheel but could feel it throught the foot well. I recently changed all my brake pads and the noise is practically gone. I think the old pads had movement in them (they wore out unevenly). I'm also quite sure my front tie rods need changing but I'll get to that at a later date.

So my advice is to check the condition of your brake pads. Not sure if this will help but it's a thought.

 

Cheers mate!

 

Danny

Cheerz Danny, unfortunately I have brand new pads, calipers and discs on the front (Brembo ) and new pads on the rear so that rules brakes out. Also new tie rod bushes as well so that also rules those out. Oh well - looks like the front wheels are coming off yet again on friday then - I'll keep you posted

 

thanks again.....

 

Andy

Just did 1000miles in 2 days. I get the shakes now in light check braking at motorway speeds but no shakes when I brake hard. I know my tie rod bushes are wet so I hoped it was just that but now I think my discs are slightly warped as well - they're only 10kmiles old. Mines had top wishbone/links changed 30k ago.

My Tie Rods have been replaced with the adjustable variety - (SE) and I also have new pads!

 

I do

have some movement in my Track rod ends but not enough to warrant the amount of 'give' that I hear and feel! I am therefore left with the Top Links as the prime suspect(s)!

 

So, how much - and is it a DIY job or not?

I've had my top n/s top link replaced twice, once by Nissan (~£250) and once by SE (~£210). It could be a DIY job, but I was probably just lazy.