Clunk / Bang From Front End - During Reverse

[jrman]

Have been experiencing a somewhat loud single loud clunk / bang noise when reversing with turned wheels while parallel parking. It's a single bang - and only during the parallel parking maneuver. I've tried to replicate it by reversing in straight line or with wheels turned slightly - but nothing. The noise only takes place intermittently, and only when the wheel has been turned to lock and is just beginning the turn back out of lock during a parallel park situation. Hope I've described this well enough.

Anyone else experienced this with Delica or other vehicle?

Bushings on front sway bar have been done - and nothing else appears lose up there from what I could tell.

Not really familiar with steering & suspension troubleshooting.

Anyone's thoughts / suggestions appreciated.

[BCDelica]

Have you check the 4 bolts that hold up the front end?

Well my Deli was done last week, but not until this afternoon has a smooth riding front end. Front wheel bearings were cooked to a golden brown one side, so we replaced both sides. They are BR50 inner and outer bearings, which were in stock in our little burg. I don't have a part number for the front axle bushing's, but they were an off the self item. Still with the clunk, clunk on the front end. My mechanic suggested replacing the front steering assembly, big bucks!! I talked to Glen, ccauto, this afternoon and he suggested cleaning up and tightening the front bolts holding up the lower suspension assembly. WOW, less then 10 minutes later, and still haven't touched the front bolt on the drivers side, presto; no more noise under my Delica. I'm so happy, not having to buy a new steering assembly too. If Glen wasn't a ferry ride away he'd be the only one I'd let touch my Delica.

Thanks Glen!

One of the 4, that's a 17 mm socket BTW.

[jrman]

Thanks Glen. I actually used your original post when I first purchased my deli last summer and found those bolts to be ok. The noise back then was the result of virtually non existent bushings on the front sway bar...which has been replaced and all grease nipplies lubed up. Anyway - the noise I'm experiencing now is not consistent - I'm thinking ball joint maybe....hope not. Will have Mardy's shop take a look at the front suspension on my Spring Tune Up....tks for the follow up.

[EricN]

I have the same noise. I havent bothered to look too hard for it though but I dont beleive it is a ball joint. It sounds more like the subframe (see BCDelicas post) shifting or possibly the control arm bushings but subframe was my gut feeling. It is starting to get more common now so one day I might crawl under there and fix it.

[BCDelica]

Don't know if this could cause it, but our first Delica had low miles and almost gone leaf spring bushings. Guess age can turn em into something with the consistency of hardened toothpaste.

Would that cause you clunk/bang?

Kev

[EricN]

Don't know if this could cause it, but our first Delica had low miles and almost gone leaf spring bushings. Guess age can turn em into something with the consistency of hardened toothpaste.

Would that cause you clunk/bang?

Kev

I have that one too. This bang that he is hearing is definately from the front end, no mistake about it.

[mdrive]

This clunky noise comes from Control Arm Bushings. It is very hard to insert the bushings in to the control arm, you need a hydraulic press to insert them.

[jrman]

Tks to all for input.
I put on new shocks last week and seems to have cleared up the noise....for now anyway.
Ride is also hugely improved. I was surprised how much of a difference good quality shocks could make. Tks again for the input - will look at bushings & other things if it comes back.

[delicat]

Which shocks did you end up using?

[wynnsk8]

i also have that noise problem in the front when backing up and turning the wheel, i also noticed that when i shift to the R position while turning the wheel the "clunk sound" is accompanied by a slight jolt on the gear lever. i've had this problem for a year now. shockes repalced, greased under chassis, tie rod end checked almost everything checked.
so is it really from Control Arm Bushings?

[jrman]

Hey delicat,
Sorry for the delay - didn't see your question before. Went with the Pro Comp ES9000 913515 (front) and 919520 (rear) on the advise of Mardy - great product in my opinion. Cranked the bars this past weekend, trimmed the fenderwells, and put on 31" tires, then had alignment done this morning at West Coast - off to the races!

Alot of people said that Torsion Bar adjustment might cause me problems - but I feel the ride is firmer and more responsive overall. Have not hit the bumpstops and have been trying - but then again - have not taken it in full 4x4 mode yet so maybe I'll see the negative size of cranking under different conditions. For overall road driving - I'm happy with the decision...and it certainly looks much more aggressive.

[jrman]

Oh...the bad news, after cranking the T-Bars, the bang sound came back on the same conditions that others on this post have noticed, in reverse with the wheels turned (turned to the left in my case)...worse than before actually.
For now...I really try to avoid reversing with my wheels turned to lock or close to lock in this direction...but would really like to find the root cause eventually.

[jwfchase]

Could it have anything to do with the autohubs malfunctioning somehow?

[BadgeStar]

We have that exact same clunk/bang as you describe in reverse on my wife's Delica (which is a manual 'box and doesn't have any free-wheel hubs fitted so it can't be anything to do with F-W hubs).
What I do know is that the front outer drive shaft couplings are worn on this van so I wondered if it was something to do with them?

Barry.

[jrman]

I think EricN and Mdrive have it - either subframe or control arm bushings.
Going to deal with this in the summer.