My Octavia has developed a knock on the front suspension, which can be felt through the steering... although I think its something close to the wheel (rather than the rack/column) I'm guessing a bush of some description, or a drop link, or a track rod end. It clunks over bumps, particularly whilst turning.

Now I know I will be told to have a look, but I don't know what I'm looking for. In the past when I've had drop links/bushes go (on other cars), I've tried wiggling components and have never felt any play - then I take it to a garage and they diagnose it straight away. Now I'm guessing that I just need to put more force on things, to come closer to replicating the forces they are under whilst the car is being driven - but how?

Any tips on diagnosing it, or suggestions on what it could be would be greatly appreciated.

P.S. I phoned VW and Skoda with the intention of replacing the drop links to rule them out - I expected them to be about £10 a piece. For some reason, one is £18 and the other is £24 - which seems odd as they both look the same (but bent in opposite directions, obviously).

I would jack up the wheels and try to rattle each wheel @ 12o'clock and 6 o'clock.

Hopefully you should hear the problem.

As Mart as already said, start by jacking up the front wheels (one at a time), try rocking the wheel by hand, top and bottom and side to side.

While the wheel is off the ground, place a tyre lever (or similar) under the tyre and a block of wood placed under the tyre lever as close to the tyre as possible. Push down on the tyre lever compressing the strut to check for knocks (dont forget to check with the wheels turned on a lock).

next I would remove the wheels and visually check all bushes, ball joints, drive shafts, struts and coil springs for wear/damage. use a lever to test bushes and ball joints for play. Ball joints should be tested for both excessive side to side play and up and down (vertical play).

Some times when you jack up a vehicle to test for knocks etc, the problem can be hidden, due to the action of the suspension unloading resulting in ball joints and bushes being subjected to extreme (abnormal) angles.

In which case a set of ramps etc are good, because you can get underneath to check all of the above, in the normal running position.

Good luck

bill