clonking noise when turning at slow speed

[VAGMAN1]

I'm getting a clonking noise when I turn the car (A3 TDI/2000) at slow speed i.e. under 20mph.

It's a clonk and happens twice when turning the wheel from centre to full lock either way.

With the bonnet open and turning the wheel, you can visibly see the passenger-side top-shock mount judder very slightly and when you hold the top mount, you can feel it clonking/juddering.

I suspected it was the top bush/bearing or a something do do with the spring, but on inspection everything looks fine - i.e. shock is not broken and seated correctly. I greased the bush as well - however the problem is still there.

help please!!!

 

[SimonPoole]

Did you check that the spring is correctly seated and not snapped?
They tend to snap on the last coil so it is not immediately obvious that they have broken.

 

[VAGMAN1]

yep - the spring is all fine - seated properly with no cracks/broken pieces

 

[imported_rustys3]

I had a similar problem with my steering. I jacked the car up and got a mate to turn the steering slowly and I noticed that the bottom of the strut was turning nice & freely but the top would judder round.
It came down to a seized strut top bearing.
This part is only about £5.00 from your stealer.
I would recommend changing the strut top bush/rubber at the same time.

Cheers
Rusty

 

[VAGMAN1]

thanks rusty - that is excatly what it was! changed the top bush and bearing and it's all fine now.

amuses me though, because when I asked at the local stealer they said........'we've never had to change those parts before'!!!