2CV knocking noise when turning right

[shayeandcelia]

I have a 1981 Right Hand drive 2Cv that now makes a knocking sound (speed dependent, thunk thunk thunk) when I turn right. I just put new tires on this car and the front right tire had worn down to the wires. I think the sound is coming from the front, but I can't really tell ! I greased the king pins and the other grease fitting on the shaft. They really didn't appear to take much grease. The car did not make this noise until I gave it new tires. I also checked and put all the tire pressures at 26 psi. Looking for some "sound" advice on this ! Thanks, Celia from Merritt Island

[BenC5HDi]

Fronts should be 20, rear 26.. but this won't make the noise. Sounds like the joint in the driveshaft is worn.

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[shayeandcelia]

Thanks for the update on tire pressures. I will lower the fronts to 20, although that seems to make them bulge a bit more than I'd like. They are Firestones, not the good old Michelins. I will check into the joint in the driveshaft. If this is the problem, can I keep driving it for a bit longer? Or is this one of those catastrophic failure items? Thanks again! - Celia

[myglaren]

If it only started with the change of tyres, try swapping the front and rear wheels and see if it persists or changes. Sometimes new tyres have defects that can cause this.
Although I do think that Ben's diagnosis is nearer the mark, considering the excessive wear before the tyre change.

And welcome to the FCF. Not many Americans on here.

[Lenny]

My money would be on rusty wheels.
They rust where the face of the wheel is spot welded to the rim and the joint (on the back of the wheel) bulges.
There's very little clearance between the wheel and the bottom of the kingpin housing so the bulging joint catches on every rotation.
A quick bash with a hammer should sort it out for now but make sure they don't leak air, then start saving up for some new rims.

[falling-out-with-my-car]

Have you checked the inner driveshaft bolts to see if they are tight against the Gearbox/front brake discs/ Hubs?
My money is on a worn CV joint on a driveshaft although the rusty wheel is new to me.
How long is it since grease was pumped through the grease nipples on the shafts to lube the CV joints?
I grease the Kingpins twice a year a tad over cautious I know but I'm on an oversize kingpin on the off side.