Knocking noise on right hand lock

Post Thu Aug 23, 2012 9:03 pm

I have recently purchased a 1989 320i auto which has covered a genuine 52k. I noticed on the way to work this morning that there was a very slight knocking noise, however I thought it may just have been m being paranoid. I put the car up on a ramp at work in my tea break to check the underside of the vehicle but could not see or feel anything obvious. When I drove the car home again the noise became progressively worse and now it is knocking quite loudly when turning right. The noise appears to be coming from the offside front (drivers side front) of the vehicle and I can feel it slightly through the steering wheel. There is also a very slight knock when applying and releasing he throttle pedal very lightly at low speeds. There doesn't appear to be any play or roughness in the wheel bearing and the wheel bolts are tight. I am suspecting a worn track control arm to be causing the noise, however I can't seem to feel any freeplay. Has anybody experienced a similar fault before?

Post Thu Aug 23, 2012 10:20 pm

It sounds like a worn out ball joint or top mount to me. Is there any lateral play in the wheel when off the ground. Also A failed top mount will usually make noises when boucing the front up and down.

Post Fri Aug 24, 2012 6:42 am

Thanks for your reply. I can't feel any lateral movement with the wheel off the ground, nor can I feel any movement in the top mount. In fact I can't feel any movement anywhere, which I find odd considering the amount of noise its making. Is there a good way of checking the ball joint or is it a case of replacing it and trying it?

Post Fri Aug 24, 2012 5:28 pm

Had the car up on the ramp today and found I could feel a very slight bit of play in the lower outer ball joint and also found the track control arm bush was splitting on closer inspection. I have now replaced the track control arm and the bush and it now drives like a new car again.

Will do the other side next week when I have a bit more time.

Can't believe that it created so much noise and I also can't believe how quickly the noise became apparent. Strange, but at least it's sorted now.

Post Fri Aug 24, 2012 9:40 pm

Jack it up and grab the wheel at 9 and 3 o'clock and give it a wiggle, look for movement in the components.