Knocking when driving

Rebel · Post by **Rebel** » Sat Aug 16, 14 3:54 pm

Went for my MOT today, on the way to the testing station I could hear a knocking from the front right hand side and when loosening grip on the steering wheel, it was steering to the right instantly. Had it all checked at the MOT station and everything got a clean bill of health, the knocking did stop when I left the MOT but returned before I got home again, I'm guessing that the knocking will be a ball joint that's not severe enough to be picked up at MOT but would this effect the steering as well? Or is just that I've missed something when I fitted the replacement steering box?

latil · Post by **latil** » Sat Aug 16, 14 6:24 pm

Lazy sticky caliper just grabbing a slightly out of true disc or tight wheel cylinder and oval brake drum? Will pull you round a bit sometimes.

db · Post by db » Sat Aug 16, 14 8:05 pm

Rebel · Post by **Rebel** » Sat Aug 16, 14 9:47 pm

Hmm, might try swapping the drums side to side and see if it makes a difference then

Adrian Worman · Post by **Adrian Worman** » Sat Aug 16, 14 10:08 pm

Did you say you just fitted a steering box? Checked the adjustment on it? If it was adjusted too tight you will get a ratchety noisy feel from it that won't be apparent on the ramp

latil · Post by **latil** » Sat Aug 16, 14 10:09 pm

Ahh! Drums,yeah check the wheel cylinders are free not sticking and check the mating faces of hub and drum are properly clean so the drum seats squarely.

db · Post by db » Sat Aug 16, 14 10:15 pm

.. and the springs are all fitted correctly, I won't tell you why I mention that

latil · Post by **latil** » Sat Aug 16, 14 10:20 pm

The old spring stuck between the shoes and drum trick,yeah done it on a Landrover

Rebel · Post by **Rebel** » Sat Aug 16, 14 10:46 pm

Adrian Worman wrote:Did you say you just fitted a steering box? Checked the adjustment on it? If it was adjusted too tight you will get a ratchety noisy feel from it that won't be apparent on the ramp

Yeah, just converted from power to manual steering, made sure that the manual box was centered before fitting. Im not even sure that the two issues are connected, when driving in a straight line it just constantly turns to the right, just like there's an invisible person turning the wheel, the knocking seems to happen when going over bumps or undulations in the road. Hope that makes sense

Rebel · Post by **Rebel** » Sat Aug 16, 14 10:48 pm

latil wrote:Ahh! Drums,yeah check the wheel cylinders are free not sticking and check the mating faces of hub and drum are properly clean so the drum seats squarely.

I'll check the brake springs, they weren't disturbed during the steering box swap, got to be worth checking though

Adrian Worman · Post by **Adrian Worman** » Sat Aug 16, 14 11:19 pm

Rebel wrote:
Adrian Worman wrote:Did you say you just fitted a steering box? Checked the adjustment on it? If it was adjusted too tight you will get a ratchety noisy feel from it that won't be apparent on the ramp
Yeah, just converted from power to manual steering, made sure that the manual box was centered before fitting. Im not even sure that the two issues are connected, when driving in a straight line it just constantly turns to the right, just like there's an invisible person turning the wheel, the knocking seems to happen when going over bumps or undulations in the road. Hope that makes sense

It is quite likely that the pulling to one side is directly as a result of changing the box. Any time a steering or suspension component is changed the steering alignment should be checked. Discrepancies in the manufacturing process of even direct replacement components will mean that some adjustment will always be necessary. A quick trip to the local tyre fitting depot will get you sorted. Find the steering alignment setting on the web and instruct them what to set it to, should be fairly easy

Rebel · Post by **Rebel** » Sun Aug 17, 14 12:40 am

Cool, I might have a go at the alignment myself, thanks