Touran front suspension knock

[cdbe]

So I've had this for about 3 years, 10k miles, and 2 mots without comment - it's now got a lot worse and the top mount/bearing which was replaced about 2 years ago with a cheap part had failed again. While the top mount (identified by a big "twang" as the spring twists and releases) is likely a contributory factor there must be something else at play as the knocking was present before and after the mount failure.

The knock is a rattle over uneven surfaces and a metallic knock as it "drops" into potholes.

I'm on holiday at the moment but I've had it jacked up previously and have failed to identify anything loose or worn, including a bit of levering (but I'm not really an expert at this).

I've bought a complete used strut of eBay mainly as a quick and cheap way of ruling out a few components and as we're going from Cornwall to Manchester on Friday and then up to Scotland on Sunday but I know I can swap the strut in a hour.

I'll also do the droplink at the same time as I have a spare.

After that, I'm just wondering what's next? Wishbone, arb bushes?

I don't normally play the part swap lottery but they seem pretty cheap and easy to fit compared with garage labour and as the car (other than the top mount) is all original after 15 years and 113k miles I don't think anything replaced will do any harm.

Apart from knock/twang the car drives, steers and brakes fine.

 

[Mottie]

I'll also do the droplink at the same time as I have a spare.

That’s the normal culprit for the symptoms you describe. I’d be tempted to try that first.

 

[Burnerman]

Agreed!
Buy a quality part though - Febi Bilstein etc.
John

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

So I've had this for about 3 years, 10k miles, and 2 mots without comment - it's now got a lot worse and the top mount/bearing which was replaced about 2 years ago with a cheap part had failed again.

Are you saying, it is back to twanging again? If so, might it be the other side twanging? You confirm which side, by gripping the spring, whilst someone turns the steering wheel. If it just a rattle, the culprit is often the drop-links - you can check those by gripping and tugging at them.

 

[cdbe]

Yes, definitely the same side, seriously loud - I think they were cheap - two for £27 but even so I wouldn't ordinarily be happy with how long it lasted but I suspect that whatever else is worn has put excessive strain on it. Drop link seems tight but as I said I think you sometimes need a bit of experience with your levering to identify small bit of movement that translate into loud noises.

I doubt the spare droplink I have is a decent one but I tend to buy them in two's and the one that was fitted on the driver's side has been fine for 4 years. With a car of this age with perhaps not many years left I tend to fit mainly budget parts.