I drive a manual yeti 2013 2.0 4x4.

 

There is a low down knocking noise coming from the front  which can disappear as quickly as it appears - it doesn’t feel connected to the wheel assembly. When we can hear it it can happen constantly on/off for 5 minutes - it sounds almost like something is spinning/rotating as it hits something. It’s as if it then “moves” to where it can’t be heard. And can stop altogether!

 

Driving over bumps doesn’t make it appear, turning doesn’t make it appear. It can happen accelerating or when the foot is on the clutch. I feel it has something to do a with the axles / drive train - but I have no idea what I’m talking about.

 

Mechanics can’t find anything obvious under a ramp, and have booked it in with a wobbly ramp. 
 

Are there any obviously concealed things that could come loose they could check.

Edited 8 November, 20241 yr by AdventureYeti

Two known causes of random knock:

 

1) A small stone trapped between brake disc and shield. (Spinning/rotating sound?)

 

2) Less likely - a broken spring. Springs tend to break near their ends, and fracture may only become evident with the car jacked up and the spring fully extended.

Here’s a recording of the knocking bonk. Recording from the footwell of the drivers side. 

It's a Golf Ball rolling around the cabin.

🤣

If someone has already looked underneath..

We presume they have checked all mounting points, suspension fitting points etc., with at least a lever bar.

Drive shafts for any undue play.

Have you had any wheels off?

Anything in the boot rolling about?

 

Quote "and have booked it in with a wobbly ramp". 

Well I have worked on 4 arm ramps and four post wheel free ramps, but I have never heard of wobbly ramps.