Knocking!

[Dave Lindfield]

Hi Guys,

I have a 03 Galaxy and when I bought it a couple of months ago I replaced nearly every suspension bushing as I had a knocking on the passenger side.
After fitting new shocks, top mounts, and the plate that holds the spring in place I still have a slight knock when the passenger wheel drops in a dip in the road.
My mechanic has pulled the spring and shock assembly out of the car and the only thing that we can find is the new plate that sits on top of the spring keeping it in place has started to wear after 3 weeks. It's wearing in the centre hole that sits into the shock.
I rang Ford but they weren't very helpful.

So can anyone shed any light on this?

Many thanks....

[marcushamblin1976]

Hi Guys,

I have a 03 Galaxy and when I bought it a couple of months ago I replaced nearly every suspension bushing as I had a knocking on the passenger side.
After fitting new shocks, top mounts, and the plate that holds the spring in place I still have a slight knock when the passenger wheel drops in a dip in the road.
My mechanic has pulled the spring and shock assembly out of the car and the only thing that we can find is the new plate that sits on top of the spring keeping it in place has started to wear after 3 weeks. It's wearing in the centre hole that sits into the shock.
I rang Ford but they weren't very helpful.

So can anyone shed any light on this?

Many thanks....

Seen it before.  In my opinion it's caused by incorrect fitment.  The top plate has to be flat on the spring . Sometimes it pitches when a air gun is used and elongates the hole.

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

[johnnyroper]

Have you checked the tie rods? Mine has a very annoying knock from near side not a heavy knock more of a repetitive light knocking. Found there to be play in the tie rod joint at the steering rack. Well I hope it that play causing it will find out tomorrow when I change them.

[Dave Lindfield]

Thanks lads.

Not sure if the mechanic used an impact gun to tighten it back up, I'll ask though.

I'll check the tie Rod, didn't think of that.

My suspicion is the top mount somewhere because the last time the car went up on the garage lift and the weight was taken off the suspension then when it went back down the knocking disappeared for a day then gradually came back. It's like something settled then went loose again.

The mechanic reassembled it today and I've a lot of mileage to do over the week so I'll see how it goes.

[johnnyroper]

Well despite the play in tie rods it isn't my noise,I have some bottom arms to go on as bushes knackered but again I don't think that's the noise either. I have had a quick listen and look and I also believe mine is from top of the leg.

[KingyMAK]

I had a knocking at what seemed the centre of the underside;
Just turned out the spare wasn't tightened up completely!
I know it's probably not that, but it's nothing something I would of expected it be or routinely checked!

[marcushamblin1976]

You should hear mine. Its really bad.  Mine is the wiper spindles, they are absolutely knackered.  Mine can be rocked to and throw. If i didn't know better i would think mine was from the suspension. 

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

[mooncat99]

Check the drop links, when they are worn they knock when you hit a dip.

[Dave Lindfield]

It's a strange one. I've changed the drop links, wishbone bushings, ball joints, track Rod ends, and anti roll bar bushings. Also checked engine mounts.

I think I'll just live with it!

[badders1954]

Hi

i had exactly the same problem as you in the end on the advice of my friend whos a suspension engineer somewhat more qualified than a mechanic,
He reasoned that it must have worked when ford built it even thought the design in his words was done by a blind monkey with one hand!!!!! so we rebuilt it to original spec using genuine ford parts which we had to source from Germany as local ford agent wanted to palm us of with pattern parts!!! in ford packets put it all together and bingo no knocking so far car has done 7000 miles and is still ok I am looking to replace the car but it wont be for another galaxy brilliant car when its going ok does everything I want a car to do but the build quality is awfull and could do with a bit more grunt under the bonnet

[badders1954]

PS to last post

DO NOT use an impact/air gun to do up the nuts/bolts they are ok for undoing things but tightening up must be done to the correct torque using a standard torque wrench