[DavidB]

I've an odd grinding/crunching noise coming from the front of my Mk7 Fiesta (95) with ~44k on the clock. I can also feel it through the steering as well. However, it seems to only happen when: a) the car has been standing (e.g. overnight), b) it's on full lock, and c) the car is moving, very slowly. If I drive it a couple of miles then the car is fine and I can't reproduce the problem. I got my local garage to check it out and they said the front suspension was "solid". Any ideaas what this could be? Thanks in advance.

 

[mondy zetecs]

My guess top shock absorber bearing (top mounts) also ckeck top mount nut is tight.

 

[DavidB]

Thanks for the quick reply. I'll let you know what the solution is in due course.

 

[Mondygeek]

My guess is anti roll bar drop links or anti roll bar bushes. Been mentioned here a few times now

 

[turbopete1]

My guess is anti roll bar drop links or anti roll bar bushes. Been mentioned here a few times now

they wouldnt tend to be an issue when turning though they would knock constantly. going on the description of the noise, id guess top mounts or possibly worn bottom ball joints. at 44k its poor if the top strut mounts have failed

 

[Mondygeek]

they wouldnt tend to be an issue when turning though they would knock constantly. going on the description of the noise, id guess top mounts or possibly worn bottom ball joints. at 44k its poor if the top strut mounts have failed

Ahh yes I misread the "at full lock" maybe cv joint??

 

[turbopete1]

Ahh yes I misread the "at full lock" maybe cv joint??

yes thats another possibility, but again, pretty poor if one has failed at such low mileage, unless somehow the boot has split/come off the joint

 

[DavidB]

they wouldnt tend to be an issue when turning though they would knock constantly. going on the description of the noise, id guess top mounts or possibly worn bottom ball joints. at 44k its poor if the top strut mounts have failed

The bottom wishbones were replaced a year ago after it failed its MOT because the gaiters on the joints had split so it probably isn't them. So it sounds like its more likely to be the top mounts or the CVs
My wife also told me that she went over a bad pothole about a month ago, could that have caused a top mount to fail?
Thanks for the help everyone!

 

[turbopete1]

The bottom wishbones were replaced a year ago after it failed its MOT because the gaiters on the joints had split so it probably isn't them. So it sounds like its more likely to be the top mounts or the CVs
My wife also told me that she went over a bad pothole about a month ago, could that have caused a top mount to fail?
Thanks for the help everyone!

pothole could cause a multitude of issues from damaging a top mount or CV joint to ruining a bottom ball joint, especially as depending on the brand, they can last either years or barely get through the second MOT, having been fitted for the first one!

 

[DavidB]

The grinding/crunching noise has gone!. A week ago, I replaced two tyres as they were getting worn. I also rotated the wheels so that the new tyres are on the front and the old, part worn, front ones are on the back. Now, the noise has completely gone and I have no idea why. Do you think the noise could have been caused by the tyres? Could there still be a problem with the suspension, e.g. the top mounts, that I need to be concerned about? Thanks for your help.

 

[turbopete1]

The grinding/crunching noise has gone!. A week ago, I replaced two tyres as they were getting worn. I also rotated the wheels so that the new tyres are on the front and the old, part worn, front ones are on the back. Now, the noise has completely gone and I have no idea why. Do you think the noise could have been caused by the tyres? Could there still be a problem with the suspension, e.g. the top mounts, that I need to be concerned about? Thanks for your help.

it certainly seems that the tyres or wheels have been the culprits.