clunk - can't find it , help!

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craig - 06 Aug 2003 18:48 GMT

Hi mini nuts,

Just fitted solid front subby mounts to the car, and I have an
annoying clunk now from the passenger side front. It's not the mounts
- they are all up tight and properly aligned etc., the tower bolts are
all up tight too.

Oddly, it is worst when on relatively smooth roads, and when going
slow. I have tried removing the shocker, it's not that either. I'm
beginning to suspect the knuckle joint, but I'm not sure.

Also interestingly, if you jack the car up for a while, the clunk goes
away for several miles driving.

Oh, and you can make it happen by lifting the front under the wing,
then pushing down on the wing. This gives a few clunks.

Anyone had anything like this? any thoughts ?

I'm going mad looking for this!!!

TIA,

Craig.

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k - 06 Aug 2003 21:14 GMT

> Hi mini nuts,
>
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>
> Craig.

Hi,
Rather an obscure problem, but I would check that your knuckle joints are
not worn badly. Is the car lower on that side?

Keith

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The Muffin Man - 06 Aug 2003 22:02 GMT

Engine stabiliser bushes?

The Muffin Man

> Hi mini nuts,
>
[quoted text clipped - 20 lines]
>
> Craig.

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JonM - 07 Aug 2003 09:26 GMT

> Engine stabiliser bushes?
>
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> >
> > Craig.

Hi Craig,

It sounds like the exhaust banging on the floor. Try jamming a small
piece of wood between the floor and the exhaust and see if it goes
away.

Jon.

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tim_lis - 07 Aug 2003 22:16 GMT

is your engine running the radiator side top engine stabaliser bar?
Check the mounting point underneath the bracket which attaches to the top of
the bulkhead/crossmember. I have just finished getting my car ready for this
race season, all last season I noticed a simialr "clunk" which slowly got
worse. When I removed the top stabaliser bar I noticed a slight buckling
underneath the mounting plate, when I removed it to replace I discovered
that it had ripped two of the mounting bolts out of the bracket and cracked
the metal surrounding the mounting...you should be able to spot any
disortion with out removing anything so its an easy check. Just look for any
rippling our distortion around the bracket.

Tim in NZ

> Hi mini nuts,
>
[quoted text clipped - 20 lines]
>
> Craig.

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craig - 09 Aug 2003 19:28 GMT

Thanks for all the replies people - it's definitely not the exhaust,
and I don't have a rad side engine steady. I was thinking it may be
the top arm (dreading more like) but I reckon it may just be the
knuckle joint. The cup is not actually sitting properly in the arm as
it turns out, and there was *no* grease in there worth talking about !

I have a 'Hi-Lo' type kit that I have not got round to fitting (had it
for years actually!) and it has new knuckle joints and ball ends, so
I've borrowed a spring compressor and hope to fit it next week
sometime. I'll post to say if this cures it or not.

Oddly, after a damn good thrashing the other night, the clunk has
'improved' That is to say that it is barely noticeable when driving at
all normal speeds - only when cornering slowly or parking.

Conclusion - Minis are weird.

Thanks again all,

Craig

> is your engine running the radiator side top engine stabaliser bar?
> Check the mounting point underneath the bracket which attaches to the top of
[quoted text clipped - 32 lines]
> >
> > Craig.

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