Xsara Picasso front left knocking noise

[Oliver53]

53 Picasso, when going over bumpy roads I get a knocking noise from the front left area, it feels just behind the glove box. it happens also when I rock the car. But not when accelerating, braking or turning. The sound is kind of "gentle", just like a loose plastic box is hitting something. Car drives normal, apart from slight vibration of steering wheel at about 70MPH, which I thought was due to bad balance of wheels.

Any ideas?

[Peter.N.]

I would suspect its a anti roll bar drop link.

Peter

[Oliver53]

I would suspect its a anti roll bar drop link.

Peter

Thanks Peter. Will be driving to ICCCR on Friday, I'll try to have a look at drop link tomorrow.

[RichardW]

It does sound like a drop link - however, the 3 bolts holding the strut are not the same length, and if the short one is not put in the right place, the spring can catch on it and cause a knocking noise. So if the strut has been out, worth a check.

[chinkostu]

Definately sounds like a droplink to me. the rocking of the car making the noise kind of points to something on the roll bar, as you're loading each side of it up in turn!

[Oliver53]

I can feel quite a lot of play of the near side drop link by hand while wife is rocking the car. The other side is fine. Have no part in hand and tomorrow at 6am will be setting off for ICCCR...I may find someone at the site to get it done then. Should be fine right? What a relieve it's not top mount, lower ball joint or other key things need doing. Many thanks for your kind suggestions guys.

[Oliver53]

Just an update, it was the drop link needed replacing. No more noise after a new TRW part was fitted:)
Many thanks for your help guys.

[Due-due]

It does sound like a drop link - however, the 3 bolts holding the strut are not the same length, and if the short one is not put in the right place, the spring can catch on it and cause a knocking noise. So if the strut has been out, worth a check.

I have heard this too, Richard. Two are of the same length and one of shorter length. Where does the shorter one go again, please?

[RichardW]

Although I understood it to be the case, the parts database doesn't bear it out, and just lists all the bolts the same length - 16mm for normal suspension and 20mm for heavy duty. It may have been that the factory fit bolts were unequal length, as the replacement parts are not always the same as the factory fit.

[Due-due]

Although I understood it to be the case, the parts database doesn't bear it out, and just lists all the bolts the same length - 16mm for normal suspension and 20mm for heavy duty. It may have been that the factory fit bolts were unequal length, as the replacement parts are not always the same as the factory fit.

Ah, ok. Thank you for your reply.