Suspension noise

[Jonathancilia]

Hi my diesel saxo has developed a really strange problem, when i go over bumps, i hear knocking sound, like when you have a bad ball joint but when i brake it goes away.

Recently i had lots of new stuff out in the car because i found them worn. New wishbones, new tie rod ends, new lower gearbox mount, new outher ARB bushes, new brake pads and discs (peugeot 206 GTI ones not factory ones)

I jacked the car to look for loose parts, even rock the tire at 3 and 6 oclock and 6 and 12 oclock position, its solid. I heard that ot can be a wheel bearing thats bad and when you brake the noise goes away, but removed calipers and discs, tried to rock the hub back and forth and side to side, no movement at all and no noise when wheel is moving aswell.

The driveshafts were replaced about 30000 kms ago with new ones. There is also alot of rattling when driving at low revs, motor mounts are good not split, only one was but its replaced.

[Hell Razor5543]

I wonder if the drop links could be the problem?

[Jonathancilia]

I replaced the anti roll bar links that connect to the wishbones, the ones under the car are about 3 years old, they dont look loose, but if so, why would it stop when i brake?

[Hell Razor5543]

When you replaced the drop links were they of a known make? Some of the 'less well known' drop links can go 'noisy' within 10,000 miles. I, when I have had to replace them, always used Lemforder drop links. They are not cheap, but they last (and may be an OEM supplier).

[Jonathancilia]

The outer ones were MOOG, and the other ones were SASIC, but they will still make noise when braking no?

[Jonathancilia]

Today i checked if maybe the brake pads are loose in the caliper, they are good, no movement and caliper is bolted down very tight and guide pins are brand new and greased, im going to pull my hair out lol, many new parts and noise still there

[GiveMeABreak]

But have you changed the triangle arm wishbone bushes? These can make a clank on take off or braking or going over humps if they are worn.

[Jonathancilia]

Yes they are brand new, changed them about 3 weeks ago, as it was knocking over bumps, the ball joints were bad, got 2 whole new control arms

Can a bad strut cause this? Only thing i found wrong is the strut on the front left leakung oil and squeaking. But the part that confuses me is why it stops when braking

[mickthemaverick]

As James said I would recheck the droplinks. When you brake the weight of the car is thrown forward compressing the drop links which will hold them secure, release the brakes and the links return to normal and can knock as weight goes on and off over the bumps.

[Jonathancilia]

Ohh, makes sense mate, tomorrow ill give them a look then, if they are bad no more moog parts lol, they havent been on for a month i think

[mickthemaverick]

While you are there check the anti roll bar mounting bushes too as the same logic applies. Good luck

[Jonathancilia]

Yeah, i think i will order the whole lot of bushes for anti roll bar and a better brand this time, they arent expensive to bother to be honest, as i have to go to the parts store anyway, the power steering rack boot needs replacing too lol

[Jonathancilia]

Can i remove the anti roll bar and drive without it? I think it will jusr wander abit more withoit ot on corners, Just to isolate the problem, if theres still noise, its not them

[mickthemaverick]

I wouldn't advise it, the anti roll bar stiffens the suspension considerably and without it you may over stress other ball joints and bushes. Plus of course the front end will be sloppy and may overstress the steering joints etc, CitroJim can probably advise you better about the Saxo specifically as my comments on that subject are more generally speaking!!

[Jonathancilia]

Mhm, got ya, ill take a look tomorrow at the bushes first, but i think ill change them all at once for sake of a few bucks. Will report back