Good evening all,
Have been trying to track down a drivers side suspension noise.
I can only describe it as a “chatterthunk” most noticeable at low speed on rough surfaces or sharp ridges in the road.
Have carried out the usual - Upper and lower shock bushings, ball joints and inner wishbone bushes, anti roll bar bushes and links. Track rod ball joint good. Did find play in the lower ball joint and upper shock mount but after replacing all of above, no improvement.
Subframe bushes and engine mount seem to be in good shape.
Turned my attention to the wheel bearing. There is absolutely no play of the wheel at 12, 6, 3, 9, and with the pads removed (rotor is firm) bearing rotation in very smooth and quiet.
There is none of the usual failed bearing noises such as howling under load, and the “chatterthunk” I’m experiencing happens up and downhill including if the brakes are lightly applied.
Can these new fanged (19 year old) sealed bearings cause this type of noise even though there is no play?

 

Don’t dismiss the subframe bushings completely, but it’s probably your motor mounts. You can’t really tell just by looking at them. They are fluid filled, and eventually the fluid leaks out and they clunk. You probably won’t be able to tell until you remove them and can look at them up close. But if there’s any indication of dried (or wet) oil in the area of the motor mounts or the subframe under them, that’s evidence that they’ve leaked.

 

Thanks for that I will take a close look.
Also going to pull the damper and take her for a short drive just to check that component. Prior to this I disconnected CATS at the damper and that made no difference.
73,000 Km Nov 2001 build, everything else just perfect.
Just going through the motions before delving into the bearing.
Can these wheel bearing start to rattle even though there is no play?

 

Wheel bearings doesn't make clunking sound without any play. Howling yes.