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Howdy.

Front right wheel makes a knock noise under certain conditions.

When reversing and then firm braking, and then again when going fwd and braking.

When driving over pot holes or similar uneven surfaces.

Sounds like loose suspension, but have had the wheel off several times for a good look but haven't found anything other than noticing the disc rotor with a fair amount a play around the hub. Visually it looks like it needs a locating screw or bolt, but there is a hole on the disc but no similar thread/hole on the hub.

Thoughts as to what?

G

worn ball joint somewhere.

Wheel bearing, sway bar links, tie rods.

Does it disappear when the brakes are applied?

I've ordered some front wheel bearings, so will replace anyway.

Not sure about under brakes.

Nobody else seen the play between rotational wheel hub bolts and disc rotor?

G

Could it be the shock absorber rubber gaiter has broken away from the top hat?

project.r.racing wrote:worn ball joint somewhere.

How does one usually test for this... ??

The casual grabbing bits of the suspension and wriggling doesn't show any movement. The only play I have found is that the hub and disc are able to move forwards/backwards due to the minor play around the stud bolts. Other than that, everything seems very tights, but without some more formal way of testing, I'm going by what looks ok.

It's almost impossible to help diagnose this for you without seeing the problem. Might be best to take it to Accurate Suspensions, MX-5 Plus or Fulcrum for an inspection.

have you had a look at a workshop manual. If a wheel bearing is loose you should pick that up and if you jack the wheel up and down you might be able to see or feel if the tie rod end is also not firm or try the steering back and forth to see if the joint is faulty.

I had a very similar issue. It got me extremely worried as had checked suspension, hubs etc. After doing some searching I read about anti-rattle brake clips and how they're prone to break after a while. Turns out the front right clips had fallen off. Cheap and easy fix for me and a world of relief. Had exactly the same symptoms as you described. If you haven't checked already it's worth a look.

Doug Danger wrote:I had a very similar issue. It got me extremely worried as had checked suspension, hubs etc. After doing some searching I read about anti-rattle brake clips and how they're prone to break after a while. Turns out the front right clips had fallen off. Cheap and easy fix for me and a world of relief. Had exactly the same symptoms as you described. If you haven't checked already it's worth a look.

Oh wow, that could be it... I guess since I'm only taking off the same wheel I wouldn't realise I'm missing anything. I think I need to grab my two (2) workshop manuals and see if they have photos of this thing. Do you know of any online pics or guides showing these clips and where they are installed !!

Thanks
G

http://www.ehow.co.uk/how_5962787_insta ... -pads.html

^^ is installation guide and will also serve to provide better understanding of the brake components (Americanized though )

Have a google search on brake knocks and suspension knocks, should be able to help narrowing down the issue. At work now so haven't got much time to search haha but good luck, hope it's an easy fix!

I have a set of brake pad clips if you need them, just email me.

myredmx5 wrote:I have a set of brake pad clips if you need them, just email me.

I think I do to... bought them from someone ages ago as I'd heard that they are needed if/when you change the brake pads.

Thanks heaps for the offer though.

I'll report back once I figure out what the problem is, and it is probably rattle clips or hub bearings.

G

the reason i suggested ball joint, is that gslender said about reversing/brakeing, and driving off again. when a ball joint or bush attaching control arm and/or A-arms, then this allows movement when intialling hitting the brake pedal as the upright twistes when the caliper grabbing the rotors are fighting the rolling forces of the wheels.

now if it is making similar noises of uneven surfaces also, it could well be the above problem, or the sway bar bushes on the left side. but you tend to find if the sway bar bbushes have of to s@#t. then you'll get a bongk bongk bongk noise, accompanied by vibrations at the same time. as the sway bar is now moving inside the d-clamp.