Front suspension bangs

[mjb]

OK so my coupé developed a clunk/bang which sounds like it's coming from the offside front corner. The bang happens when the suspension compresses or expands, so turning when moderately in either direction, or when accelerating or braking sharply, even while driving straight. I can't, however, replicate this while stationary by bouncing the car by pushing/pulling the wing...

The day this started I did the following:

Changed the front brake discs
Filed down the edges of the front brake pads so they don't need a hammer to get them into the callipers
Removed the strut brace (to change the rear spark plugs and clean the inlet manifold)

Given how often I have had the subframe off the car, I strongly suspect it was the latter which caused the clunking as not knowing any better, I remove the strut brace with the front wheels off the floor, causing the strut tops to disappear down into the wheel arches... The strut brace is back on tightly - with all screws put back to the silly torque I needed to remove them (which snapped a couple of T55 sockets)

I've replaced the drop link. I've shoved the suspension/arb bushes around with a pry bar with no noticeable movement and I've re-seated the strut brace with the front wheels on the ground

Any ideas?

[StevieboyTD]

No movement from the bottom ball joint?

[HimBigChief]

Loose bolt on the front subframe assembly? Worn or knackered top mounts?

To be honest, I'm going to keep a close eye on this thread as I have the exact same symptoms with my car atm, although I haven't replaced the droplink yet, but I think I may try that this weekend and see if that solves the issue.

[teamster1975]

Strut top bearing maybe? I suffered this on the tubby & it's not too much of a sod to replace.
What's the condition of the spring?

[mjb]

No movement from the bottom ball joint?

Not that I can see

Loose bolt on the front subframe assembly?

Somehow I've managed to leave the subframe where it is since before this problem started, and the problem did start the day I did that work...

Worn or knackered top mounts?

How would I check?

Strut top bearing maybe? I suffered this on the tubby & it's not too much of a sod to replace.

Possibly. I may have damaged it when it plummeted from the body, but the steering is fine away from full lock (where something possibly the PAS pump gets noisy and vibratey). I'm starting to think about replacing all the springs and shocks as well as the strut bearings though - the shocks are definitely worn more than is healthy

What's the condition of the spring?

Surprisingly good for 182k...

[steve_earwig]

When my strut top bearings went the spring loaded up on the dead bearing and let out suddenly to lock in a different place. I can't remember if I could hear it but I think you'd notice the steering problems anyway.

[406Iain]

The locking nut on the track rod end on the front of my rover came loose and started letting it making a clunking sound.
I just tightened it up and all was bob on afterwards.Worth looking at?