Arrgghh... knocking still there...
 

I'm struggling to get rid of all the front end knocking with my suspension - with knocking still coming front the nearside front when going over bumps.

So far the following has been changed:

Front and rear droplinks
Front shocks
Track rod ends.
Front ball joints
Rear shocks and top mounts.

I don't feel it's the front top mounts as the knocking doesn't sound high up - but any suggestions on what can be left that can cause it?

Many thanks.

What's the noise your getting mate I have a similar problem on the forester where I have a low down constant knocking sound I'm hoping changing the drop links will solve this. Hopefully your post will help me fix mine

Martin

Mine has a front knock too, but I've now given up wasting my time trying to find it..... Even a garage could not diagnose the fault.

The only thing it could be is one of my year and a half old BC coilovers have failed.

Is your knock only over bumps?

I think I've had most of the knocking/banging noises possible - lol. Each time I've had part of the suspension changed it's helped reduce the issue. The ball joints replacement got rid of a more metallic sounding knocking, whilst what is left is the standard suspension knocking - something that I would probably have thought was either drop links or the shocks, but I've changed both of mine.

if I was you I'd change the drop links first - by far and away the cheapest fix.

Yes, only over bumps and is speed dependant.

Sounds similar to mine, on a motorway or above 30-40 mph I can't hear any knocks over bumps.

It's just the low speed bumps that cause it or very rough ground and low speed.

Yep, real pain. I did some testing over some speed bumps and with only the right wheel going over the bump then no noise, but with the left wheel only then the knocking is there - so side dependant for me.

Also side dependent for me, not that I can find it even narrowing down that close haha.

I can't simulate the noise where not moving as I can't put a great enough load of the car without the weight of the car.

Same here. I might wait until the next time the cars in getting something else done and asks the guys to have another listen/look.

try changing your antiroll bar bushes

Thanks - I'll certainly do that. Does the impreza have them front and rear?

yes mate they have them on the front and rear and can cause a knocking noise when worn, not saying this is your issue just a possibility

Thanks. I'm getting to the stage where I've replaced most of the expensive items, so almost ready to replace everything else one at a time to try and clear the noise.

Try disconnect the front droplinks and go for a drive over the humps or any surfaces which normally cause the knocking. If no knocking then it could be the ARB bushes or bushes brackets or droplinks or even lack of lubrications on them.

Was the suspension you changed brand new?

What model is your car? My Sti shocks knocked but they're inverted and prone to it when the original grease disperses and or dries out. That's simple enough to sort if they are Sti shocks.

Also, what brakes do you have? Might sound odd but a lot of the aftermarket upgrades can be noisy. My AP's knock quite loud where the pads aren't the sort of tolerances as the OE setup would be. I have to keep them serviced regularly.

Thanks - will look to give that a try.

Yes, standard new KYB replacement shocks. Mine is the standard WRX blobeye but the front shocks have been inverted but brand new.

Interesting point re the pads - as I've had new discs and pads recently but my front left caliper failed so I replaced it with a non-OEM replacement and my front pads in that side (which has the worse of the knocking) do move about and make a noise when I reverse and brake.

I had a blobeye sti knock on front going off drive it was top mounts

Could well be right as the knocking is pretty loud when it happens and the front top mounts are one of the few things left to change!

Well, I'm going to get the front top mounts changed.

At the rear I've had the drop links, shocks and top mounts all changed and there is the odd knock still occurring.

Worth changing the front and rear ARB bushes too? I must be getting close to changing all that can be changed?

ARB bushes are a very common cause of knocking especially low speed. Do the fronts first.

Thanks - I'll do that :-)

20mm size for the 05 Blobeye wagon?

How does one regrease sti inverted shocks?

Your wasting your time if they are knocking, it will be a very short term solution

I'm going threw the same process of elimination as we speak, just got some meyle hd droplinks in the post today so I'm changing them first!

All fitted and no more knocking they look heavy duty as well, need to be with the state of the roads :(

maybe a scottish thing...
 

I share your pain :)

I've an 08 hawk GB270 with a helluva annoying knocking sound from the front.

To date - replaced struts and springs/drop links/arb bushes and even started to strip the steering rack down thinking it might be the joints on the inner tie rods....

still no change - not a thing.

more louder from the drivers side going over bumps/holes but also a rattly type knock at low speeds if you turn corners - this rattly type knock is more audible on the drivers side but can also be heard on passenger side.

Completely ruining the car for me but I may need to live with it if I can't find the fault.

cant see any play in lower wishbone balljoints or outer tie rod ends, so running out of ideas to be honest.

Cheers - sorry I can't offer any advice - just a wee rant really.....

My rattling type knocking was solved by replacing the Ball Joints and I've now got the final knocking eliminated by changing the front ARB bushes. Finally I've got a car that doesn't knock - but then everything has been changed apart from the front top mounts!

I can empathise with the annoyance - as any sort of knocking ruins the car for me. Just thankful I've managed to resolve it. Given what you have already done to the car then ball joints would be my next change.

Cheers buddy - well done on solving the problem :)

Is that the wishbone ball joints or the tie rod ends?

Thanks - Roo