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Loud clunking escort

Wel another week another problem for my battle weary escort :( Whilst descending a rather large speedbump earlier in the week I heard a loud clunk come from somewhere around the front wheel on the passenger side, i first thought i'd run over a big branch and it had hit the bottom of the car but the noise happened again when i went over slightly sunk manhole cover.

The noise only tends to happen when going over bumps at a resonable speed, it also always happens when going down speed bumps, it's only one big clunk each time there is no rattling in between and the handling of the car hasn't changed at all.

I've had the wheel off today and had a good nosey around, tried every nut and bolt i can find and everything is tight and seems solid, the exhasut is also secure so i don't think it can be that.

Anyone got any pointers as it's starting to bug me now.

Ta

Kris

Reply to
kris
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Antiroll bat bushes? or tie rod bushes.

Reply to
Duncan Wood

Loud clunking noise is more likely to be the bottom wishbone bushes (very common problem on escorts).

Anti roll bar bushes tend to make a more rattly bumpy kind of sound.

Reply to
moray

I would agree with you on that one; but there are a number of other possibilities out there. I'd get it looked over by a competant garage. Wishbones can be had fitted for £60 non-oem, OEM nearer £120.

Reply to
David R

Also, get the garage, if it *is* the wishbones afterall that are the problem, to ALSO replace the bolts that hold the wishbones in place. The threads wear away, so just replacing the wishbones wont cure the problem for a long time.

Reply to
David R

Could just get some new OEM bushes fitted instead.

Eh? The bush should never move on the bolt. If the bush has been moving on the bolt, then the bolts not been tight enough.

Reply to
moray

When I bought an X-reg escort a while ago, as a cheapo-ish first car for someone, it had this problem, wishbones replaced, then for MOT it was advised that the bolts should be replaced, as the cheap place I had the wishies done at hadn't replaced the bolts.

A search of a few ford-based forums confirmed bolt-replacement is advised with the wishbone replacement, so I don't suspect it's just a random recommendation, but your point is of course taken.

Reply to
David R

You're not thinking of the bottom ball joint pinch bolt by chance? That should always be replaced if there is any doubt about it's condition.

But despite having changed far more escort wishbone bushes than I care to think about, I've never replaced the two main retaining bolts. However, if you want to talk about fiestas wishbones, that's a hole different thing....

Reply to
Moray Cuthill

"Moray Cuthill cuthill_at_v21.me.uk>" You're not thinking of the bottom ball joint pinch bolt by chance?

Good point - my memory is perhaps failing me... I just recall a guy who owns ramps that I know pointing at them, and us changing them.

Reply to
Yozzi

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