Hi. If anyone can help. I'm getting a knocking  noise from the front of my fabia. It sounds more to the middle off the car rather than each side. I've had it to four different places and everyone can hear it but can't find it. Its just passed mot and they couldn't find it. Everything had been changed. Its like a new car at the front. I'm now going down the route that it might be the steering rack. Seems to be worse going into corners. I'm baffled. 

Welcome.

If people who can see and touch the car can not find what the issue is it is just guesses that anyone else can make.

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Are you changing the steering rack yourself without really knowing if that is the problem?

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What engine / gearbox does your 2008 Fabia have?

Seen this many many times car is jacked up people go around nushes and control arms pulling on tem and say "these are fine mate" 95% of the time the drop links are to blame you need to jack the car up support the body then jack up /tke the weight of the wheel one side and then start with a pry bar and start checking links bushes etc, looking new is not always a answer they need to be checked for wear, a steering rack issue could be the monts or if inner joints are worn it would clunck every time and you would have wandering issues and strange worn tyres

The MOT test would have been carried out with the suspension taking the weight of the vehicle, they could not find it.

Edited 6 January, 20233 yr by J.R.

The MOT is carried out with the weight on the wheels and off the wheels.

When the car is jacked off the wheels and the play in the bearing is checked. 

4 hours ago, toot said:

Welcome.

If people who can see and touch the car can not find what the issue is it is just guesses that anyone else can make.

?

Are you changing the steering rack yourself without really knowing if that is the problem?

?

What engine / gearbox does your 2008 Fabia have?

It's a 1.9tdi. I haven't decided yet. It's a guess that it's the steering rack. There's no leaking or anything. Seems to be that once it's on the ramp due to the weight taking off the car then there's no clue. Even when not in motion if I shake the steering wheel from left to right there's no noise. Driving me crazy. 

39 minutes ago, J.R. said:

The MOT test would have been carried out with the suspension taking the weight of the vehicle, they could not find it.

I asked if he could see anything when he was checking for movement as the wheels are still on the ramp. It's a drive on not 2 or 4 poster. I just chanced my arm hoping he would find it. I'm returning to the garage in a few weeks to check again. Fingers crossed we find it. Thanks 

Thank you for the help folks. Much appreciated. 

I had exactly the same with my 56 plate Honda Jazz. There was nothing to feel with weight on and off but new drop links solved the problem.

I therefor agree with Murdockman.

1 hour ago, Jocko said:

I had exactly the same with my 56 plate Honda Jazz. There was nothing to feel with weight on and off but new drop links solved the problem.

I therefor agree with Murdockman.

Yes I've asked when it's on the ramp would you rise the front wheels to see if we could find the problem. There's new drop links. New struts top mounts and springs etc etc. There's only one side I haven't changed in shock spring and top mount. I stopped as I said spending is getting to much. If it was the shock it would have showed up at mot. That ruled that out. 

 

I'll let you all know once we get to the bottom off this. 

 

Thank you