I’m looking for technical help or recommendations on: Suspension noise
Hi all,
Lately, I have noticed a weird noise from my front suspension whenever I go over a bump (at about20-30mph). It almost feels like the springs bottom out. I am not sure very sure if the noise comes during compression or rebound. The noise is also not persistent, if you go slower over the same bumps you don’t hear it. Quick look on the front springs no visual signs of damage.
I also think the car slightly pulls to one side (left for me) as I can feel the steering pulling slightly towards left hand side. But this occasional, sometimes when i let go of the steering it is perfectly aligned on the center and car drives straight.
Bit of back ground last spring, I have checked my wheel alignment they were okay. A couple of months later i rotated the wheels (front & back). The tyres are fairly new and i don’t see any uneven wear on them.
Some how I think the suspension noise and the steering occasionally pulling to the left are connected. If not, is it just the winter road conditions which makes the steering feedback a bit weird? Any inputs on which all are the bits i need to check before paying a visit to a specialist or check the wheel alignment once again. FYI the car is quite old (2008) and has done 121k miles on it.
Check the ride height front left to front right, check the gap between the wheel are and tyre see if the front left is lower if so it would suggest possible front left shock on its way out, wheel bearings would normally not be a knocking noise like shock bottoming out though I guess if its totally shot it possibly could give that symptom, my first check would be to the shock, as for pulling it might suggest that the front left caliper is binding slightly, take it for a drive of around 20 to 30 mins then hover your hand next to the caliper if the front left is radiating heat then its binding, same would also happen if its the bearing that is shot
I had a snapped spring right at the top, under the lip, so hard to see, and still in position meaning no lowering of ride height. That might explain things. Worth looking closely anyway.
I had exactly the same on a 2008 NC about 8 years ago. Unable to see the break at the very top of the coil while under load from the weight of the car.
I’d go to the suspension that side, check for leaks in the shock and broken spring, might be near the top which you can’t always see, wheel off really.