Hello everyone,

 

I'm happy to join this community as it seems to be very friendly and helpful - I've been doing a lot of reading on here before buying my first Skoda. I've just bought a Skoda Fabia 1.9 TDI, 13 years old. I'm greatly enjoying it, as it's a nice little runner, however, there's quite loud clunking noise coming from front left wheel area (and it sounds that whatever is causing the noise is quite loose). I'll try to provide a summary of my observations as I am not the person who knows a lot about cars, though I did some reading on the subject but couldn't find anything matching my situation:

• Mostly, you can hear this noise when going over speed bumps or uneven road.
• Turning right/left doesn't seem to have any effect on the noise.
• Previous owner mentioned something about the brake calliper spring (I think he said that mentioned spring is loose or out of its place), so I tried going over speed bumps and uneven road whilst braking - it seems that clunking noise doesn't come up. Could this actually be the reason?
• Also, it seems that the sound doesn't come up when speed is higher (e.g. motorway) but it is also possible that I just can't hear it as it's quite noisy inside the car at such speeds:)
• I was suggested to check the bushes, i.e. jack the car up and try shaking the wheel. Didn't get the chance to do it but intend on doing this tonight - will update with the results.

I've booked an inspection at the garage but it's not due until the end of the week and I'm just concerned if it's safe to drive the car until then.

 

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

 

Many thanks,

 

Vilius

Worn drop links could cause that kind of clonking.

It's not going to be a spring unless you mean the shims that secure the brake pads are missing.

Lots of other possibilities- 

Wheel or nuts loose- -shock absorber or mounts loose/broken- -ARB loose in mounts- - engine mount bolt sheared- - wheel bearing worn out.

More than likely consol bushes. EASY to check. Park the car with the wheels straight and the handbrake on firmly. Stand at the front of the front wheel and place your foot at about the 10 oclock position on the wheel and give it a hefty shove backwards with you your foot. Its movement should be negligibe. If its more than that they are shot. A good enough shove might even make it 'clonk'. 

 

My bushes are shot and it chatters away like mad over uneven roads. It doesn't however make noise over speed humps so also worthy of checking is the track rod end and bottom ball joints.

Edited 3 June, 201412 yr by capriman

More than likely consol bushes. EASY to check. Park the car with the wheels straight and the handbrake on firmly. Stand at the front of the front wheel and place your foot at about the 10 oclock position on the wheel and give it a hefty shove backwards with you your foot. Its movement should be negligibe. If its more than that they are shot. A good enough shove might even make it 'clonk'. 

 

My bushes are shot and it chatters away like mad over uneven roads. It doesn't however make noise over speed humps so also worthy of checking is the track rod end and bottom ball joints.

I have this problem so ill try that tonight! Thanks!

Thank you for your responses, guys.

Capriman, I've tried doing as you suggested yesterday but the wheel doesn't seem to be moving more than the other one which seems to be fine. I guess I'll just

have to wait and see what will be the outcome of the inspection.

To check the bush do it the easy way, steering on full lock to the right and check the opposite side, if the bush is torn it will be obvious. Knocking over uneven surfaces is usually drop links if it happens in a straight line, i've changed a few sets now and either use OE or Meyle up-rated versions. They can look fine but when you get them off they are well loose, also check the arb bushes while you're looking.

Interested to find out the outcome on this as I am having the droplinks changed next week due to the same problem, smooth as silk at speeds above 40mph but in town its quite annoying.  Mine also does it coming down off the sleeping policeman.  Keep us updated matey with your progress.

Interested to find out the outcome on this as I am having the droplinks changed next week due to the same problem, smooth as silk at speeds above 40mph but in town its quite annoying.  Mine also does it coming down off the sleeping policeman.  Keep us updated matey with your progress.

Sorry for not getting back to you earlier, but only today did I manage to get the car to the garage. Well, they just confirmed what the previous owner said - calliper's spring wasn't fitted properly last time the brakes have been done. Hence the rattling/clunking noise and, apparently, worn pads. Suspension, I was told, was in good condition. So I only had the pads replaced and the spring fitted properly, which was quite a relief as it didn't cost that much and the irritating noise is gone!

 

Thank you all for your input - it let me know my car a bit better:)

 

Cheers,

 

Vilius