Comes and goes, but seems to be getting worse. I jacked up both sides this morning and heaved at everything I could but couldn't find any play. What's the most likely culprit? Mainly going over bumps.

I also have what sounds like a wheel bearing noise from the rear nearside. Can't find any play in the wheel though.

Have you checked the exhaust mounts? I had an exhaust knock against the rear beam on a felicia once. Drove me mad :(

There does not need to be play in the wheel bearing for the bearing to be knackered, as was the case with mine.

I have a wheel bearing thats gone also has no play on it , but when jacked up & spin each wheel the one with the fault will have a werring sound to it .

I think the two things are separate. I have had the bearing noise for a while, but the clonk is new.

I think the two things are separate. I have had the bearing noise for a while, but the clonk is new.

Nick

How many miles on the car. Check the rear springs are seated properly.

Something in the wheel well rattling about?

Exhaust rubbers getting old and allowing the exhaust to hang lower and hit the rear beam?

Just a couple of easy-to-check ideas.

I looked in the spare wheel well and made sure it was tightened down.

The exhaust rubbers are pretty old and soft, but wiggling it about I wasn't able to make it knock on anything - this was with the car jacked up, though :rubchin:

I levered at one spring but not the other. Will see how the noise is tomorrow. Thanks guys.

Check your bottom shock nuts.

Well I've checked all the above and I can't find it. Had the front jacked up at the weekend to do the air pump, and wiggled at everything at that end too, no joy. I'm wondering if it's the ARB. It seems worst when driving slowly, even over quite smooth roads.

What's involved in changing the ARB bushes? Does it have to come out of the car?

Well, the local independent had the car twice and told me everything was fine. I had to take it into Fish Brothers (big up to Nicki and the service team) to have the waterpump replaced at half an hour's notice Friday before last, and asked what they thought it was at the time. Straight away they said "ARB bushes", we went for a little test drive, and on Tuesday they changed the bushes (and, sadly the bar as well - the bushes wear a step in the bar), and it's fantastic! So much more solid feeling, and no more clonks.

Thanks for all the contributions.

was about to say the rear bushes. This a very common problem on the vag group

Front, actually, the noise was kidding me as to where it was coming from.