Hi there,

I have a knock in the front end. I've been trying to troubleshoot, and search out answers. The symtoms are as follows:

1) only happens over certain bumps (small) driving over train tracks everything is quiet. Gravel is the best way to replicate this noise.
2) I've disconnected the sway bar links and drove. The sound is still there, so its not the links.
3) this only happens at low speeds.
4) the LCA inner bushing was shot so I replaced the whole arm.
5) when I press the brakes at low speeds the sound seems to go away.
6) when I try to wiggle the wheel, while off the ground, I get a little bit of play with my hands at 12 and 6.
7) the upper ball joint is fine, the LCA ball joint seems fine.
8) when I have someone else shake the tire and look underneath, I cannot see any movement I'm the usual suspects.
9) I checked the tightness of the upper strut bolts and they are all tight.

I am suspecting maybe the wheel bearing? But I am not sure. I really do not want throw money at this issue without knowing what the problem exactly is. Thanks for any help!!!

 

Compression rod

 

Thanks for the reply. I was under the impression that a bad compression rod will make a different noise.

 

Well, obviously I haven't "heard" it, but you seem to have gone thru everything else. Check out the bushing and see if its warped, cracked or lopsided.

The "over small bumps" thing is usually a dead give away for the c-rod bushing tho. I'd just change the bushings to polyurethane.