Dreaded front end knocking x2

[iipaul]

Hi all,

So I unfortunately have the dreaded front end knock but I have two different knocks, one of them is a slight vibration knock at around 1500rpm and over uneven ground and sounds like it’s coming from the passenger side, the second is like a hard knock when letting off the throttle more of a clunk and more middle sounding but does sometimes feel like it travels and comes from either side and only just started but both are driving me nuts!

After doing some research I’ve replaced a few items such as,
Both lower arms
Drop links
Top mounts 

I looked this evening at the gearbox mount and it doesn’t look perished or anything but does feel soft but not sure if that’s standard,
I feel like the clunk could potentially be the rear engine mount however looking at it, it didn’t look worn. 

Does anyone else have any suggestions 

Thanks

[shtu]

The good thing here is that the parts are really cheap. Just as well, because they don't half chew through stuff.
For suspension bits, both Febi and Meyle are hlaf decent and cheap if you shop around a little.

a slight vibration knock at around 1500rpm and over uneven ground ... I’ve replaced a few items such as,
Both lower arms
Drop links
Top mounts 

You could take a look and make sure the droplinks are still tight, and check the lower balljoints, and anti-roll bar bushes.

a hard knock when letting off the throttle more of a clunk and more middle sounding but does sometimes feel like it travels and comes from either side and only just started but both are driving me nuts!

I'd swap the bushes in the lower engine mount. It's on the list for mine, as it's got a fair old dose of driveline shunt.

[Multispacer]

I had a front end 'clunk' on my Berlingo B9 Multispace and went through all the items you list, plus after talking to my MOT chap who carries out my MOTs asked him if he has spotted anything [it was still passing MOTs without any problems] he stated that he has noticed a bit of play on the inner track rod ends but didn't think that would be the cause. AS I had tried all the obvious stuff, I replaced these [even bought the correct tool for fitting them] but I still had the clunk, so that wasn't the problem

I asked on this forum listing everything I had tried and got a reply from @Lighty [who used to be a regular contributor on here. He ran an independent car workshop that specialised in French vehicles but he sadly passed away a few years back] Anyway, he suggested from Berlingos he had worked on with mysterious knocks/clunks before that I replace the front shock absorbers, as he had seen a number where that had been the cause. I was a bit sceptical as I had already had them out to replace the top mounts and they seemed fine to me but having come to a bit of a dead end I replaced them both and no more clunk! On checking the old ones they didn't seem to have that much lateral movement of the piston but it was obviously enough to cause the problem in my case.   

So that's one possibility.

[Drummond]

My B9 had a loud clunk on suspension rebound at front. I suspected right corner. It was unbearable on rough icy roads on winter. MOT inspector did not find anything although I specifically requested to search for play.

As it was not the droplinks, I replaced the front shocks plus top mounts. There was no obvious fault visible on the old parts, but the clunk was gone. Ah what a relief.

[iipaul]

Thanks for the replies,

So I had it in the garage today and they actually said everything is solid the only thing they suggested was to replace the shocks and maybe worth doing the gearbox mount as they’re cheap enough,

I just hope it is the shocks as it’s horrid to drive feels like it’s going to fall apart lol

[iipaul]

Just to confirm the suspension was the cause of my knocking, the front left strut rod had about 4mm movement back and forth which was causing some annoying knocks!
Glad it’s fixed, thanks for the replies

[Multispacer]

Just to confirm the suspension was the cause of my knocking, the front left strut rod had about 4mm movement back and forth which was causing some annoying knocks!
Glad it’s fixed, thanks for the replies

Good to see you got it fixed and for posting the cause in your case, as it's always useful to other readers to know solutions to problems.