Klunking noise when going over bumps

Technical Area Steering & Suspension
2

Hi,

can anyone can help please…

I noticed last weekend a loud klunking (cant think of a better term) noise when i went over rough ground. (roof down)

It seems to be coming from the offside rear. I’ve taken it to the local garage who raised it up and had a good look around

but couldn’t find anything. They lowered it and had a look in the boot and said it is probably the tool kit or jack rattling.

I then removed these but to no avail the noise was still there. (roof down)

The next morning i tried to pin point by listening carefully, (roof up) windows down and no music on, same roads but no noise?

I’m now thinking that it may have something to do with the electric roof when stowed.  Could it be this rattling? Has anyone had a similar experience?

Many Thanks

Dave

2006 NC 2.0l RC

 

 

3

 We had this with a lady a couple of weeks back in a Mk 3, may not be the same think? but it turned out to be the jack bolt that holds it tight had worked itself loose, worth a look, took us a couple of runs around aiming for every pot hole, anyone behind must have thought we had gone mad,lol

Edit:- just noticed that you have tried that.

Where are you?

M-m

1 Like
4

 Im in Glossop, but work in Oldham…

5

 Dave, did you ever resolve this clunking noise?

I have something similar from the rear near side of mine, seems to start when the car has done about 20 miles and then not all the time, some bumps it does, some it doesn’t, just can’t get to the bottom of it, new linkeges fitted to rear, and front anti roll bars as they were showing signs of becoming loose, lots of grease applied to rear suspension whilst on a ramp, but still persists!

Interestingly enough had a weekend away in it this last weekend, full tank of fuel and loaded boot, no clunking sound. As soon as fuel is below quarter tank the noise started again.

This is driving me mad, any ideas? 

 

6

Hi Cartman,
No, its still there, driving me mad.

Just had its MOT on Thursday with no issues and i asked the garage to take it for a run and try and sort it…
They said they couldn’t find anything?

Mines intermittent also, i can go all day with nothing and the next day every other bump.

I’ve not thought of loading the boot and topping the tank up to see if that makes a difference, i’ll give it a go
and let you know.

Dave

7

 Thanks Dave,

mine M.O.T’d as well prior to trip to Tenby, no problems at all. Thanks for your reply, if I resolve my ‘clunk’  I’ll post the solution.

8

 Hi, classic clunking noise is worn anti-roll bar drop links, sounds like you might imagine a loose or broken exhaust mounting might sound bouncing and rattling on the bumps, a light thumping noise. They are front and rear but fronts seem more common and the noise can be difficult to locate. With the car on a ramp you’ll find any play by pushing up hard on the bottom on them in turn - difficult to do without a ramp. Seems common around 50K miles.

9

Hi Rich M,

Thats exactly what it sounds like.

I have had another look at my MOT cert. as it did have an advisory.

It states ‘Nearside anti roll bar has slight play in ball joint’

I never made the link between this and the fault but i would have thought the garage would have!

Its booked in again for them to have another look.

Many thanks for your input…Thumbs up

 

10

Had the rear anti roll bar drop links replaced…but the noise is still there…Sad

The garage now tells me it might have something to do with the wear indicator clips.

Got to get to the bottom of this.

 

Dave

11

 Dave

If you are  ever over this way, give me a knock and i’ll see if we can find it.
M-m

12

M-m,

Thanks for the offer, much appreciated.

Dave

 

1 Like
13

I had an intermittent knock/clunk it finaly turned out to be the rear ball joint, it had backed off a couple of flats, armed with allen key and 19mm spanner (it could have been 17mm) a couple of quick wrenches and noise gone.

Hope this helps.

14

 Dave, wear indicator clips? I wonder what they are? I’ve just done 1100+ miles in a week around Scotland, kept a full tank of petrol and nothing at all. Back home less than a quarter tank of fuel and there it goes again, not often but just as and when!

If you do take up MM’s generous offer and resolve this pain in the back side, will you keep me posted please, regards, Bob.

 

15

 Safetymatch, thanks for that information, I’ll get that checked out after the bank holiday weekend.

16

Bob, on the brake pads i think? not sure what they could be hitting?

Cheers Safetymatch for the info.

 

Dave

1 Like
17

 Hi,

I have been reading this post and wondered if you have managed to sort out the klunking?   I bought my first MX-5 at the beginning of August, MK3, 2007 plate 1.8, with 19,000 miles on the clock, and believe I have similar problem… 

Two days in and had clonking noise from nearside rear, going over bumps, once the car had warmed up.  Took the car back to the dealer who replaced the drop linkage (rear nearside) as there was play in it.  This didn’t solve the clonking, so back to the garage again.  Handbrake linkage adjusted, all other linkages checked, and then a new rear nearside shock absorber fitted, which seemed to finally sort the problem. 

This evening, two weeks on, the clonking has come back - coincidentally now the fuel level has dropped to less than quarter of a tank…  Doesn’t seem as loud, and not every bump, but the more severe ones.  A ‘dry joint’ kind of noise.  Can’t be much else to replace in the way of suspension parts?  Wondered about a brake part, but then surely it would do it all the time, not just once its warmed up?  Looked under the car again and nothing loose, nor any signs of anything leaking.  Everything in the boot padded and secured…

Always wanted one of these cars, looks great, and drives so well, I need to get this noise sorted!

Any help much appreciated.  Thanks.

Update today, Tuesday, no noise on the way to work, and filled up with petrol to just over half a tank.  Driving home, clonking over bumps is back, and as bad as it was previously.  Have got back in touch with the garage, but would be nice to have some other possible causes to discuss with them.  Idea has been muted that it may be dependent on wet/dry conditions?  Now the car has had time to properly dry out after being driven in the recent wet spell - which may tie in with when it first occured too.  Anyone else with this issue noticed a patterm like this?  It’s driving me nuts!   Thanks, Richard 

18

 Hello Richard,

welome to the intermittent klunking club!!!

Your symptoms sound exactly like mine, apart from the wet / dry connection, seems wet all the time really but not considered this as a possibility, I’ll keep an eye on that.

I have just done 650 miles over the weekend to and from Cornwall, you’ve guessed it, not a peep!

There have been suggestions that balljoints or brake pads might be the culprits but I have to admit that I still have to check these out, too busy driving it and enjoying it, even had the roof down for extended periods this last outing!

If you’re like me you’ll keep an eye on this thread for updates from other klunkers.  

Frustrating, isn’t it ?

Regards

Bob

19

Leave the wheel on and jack the car up then get hold of the wheel on the top, push an pull the wheel any free play will prove if it’s the bottom ball joint, thats how mine was found.

Dave.

20

 Hi,  Thanks to you both for responding, and for these suggestions.  Certainly is frustrating, but in a funny kind of way it is reassuring to know that it isn’t just my car!  It is due back at the garage next week so will let you know how I get on.  Thanks again, Richard

Apologies for the delay in updating, but have been holding on to see if the latest fix had ‘held’, and been trying to sort a repeated water ingress issue…  Dealer (Godfreys Horsham) had the car back towards the end of September and clonking appears to have been sorted. Advised problem was something to do with play at the top of the rear n/s shock absorber mounting and a small spring - sorry for lack of technical detail!