I need your help :(

[Azbates]

Hello everyone,

Recently my car has developed a knocking noise at the front, drivers side.
It's been to 3 mechanics, first one said everything is fine, he heard the noise but couldn't finding anything wrong. 2nd one changed the anti roll bar link, it made no difference, he then said its the strut top mount ( I'd suspected that after doing some googling). The 3rd place, diagnosed top strut mount and replaced it. The noise however is still there. I took it back to them and they spent an hour checking everything over again. They got there master mechanic over who is equally stumped. The only thing he could come up with was a similar case on an Astra years ago and that turned out to be a failed shock absorber. They have visually checked the shocker and it looks fine, obviously they can't see inside it. Apparently pushing the front of the car down doesn't work now or something to that effect.

Anybody got ideas? or experience of the same thing?

[Jo67]

When does it knock, and what kind of knocking is it? Be graphic!

[Azbates]

It knocks over bumps, small and big ones but not every one of that makes sense, the knocking noise sounds almost as if the wheel is loose, like a dum noise.

[Jo67]

Difficult to say from a description, and I'd hope a mechanic would have checked this, but engine mounting?

[Azbates]

Yeah they checked engine and gear box mounts.

On a side note, I can't even find new shocks to buy, citroen don't seem to list them and neither do the major parts companies I know of. Great.

[Azbates]

Ok so I've just been our for a drive on quite roads, couldn't really pin point what it was whilst driving.

I then pulled back onto my drive, gone to the passenger side wheel and when I try to move it towards myself and then back towards the care there is ZERO movement.
When I go the drivers side I can rock the wheel slightly, I can feel the movement and noise.
I'm no wiser to the problem (bearing???) but I'm off straight to a garage in the morning

[Azbates]

Here's a vid of the noise it makes when I rock the wheel

[Jo67]

I haven't come across that noise before - sorry. I'd be interested to know what it is when you do find out. Good luck.

[Azbates]

Update: took the car to halfords auto centre who spent an hour and half checking it (with out charge). All the mechanics there had a look and they were stumped aswell. They mentioned it could be a shocker but couldn't be certain.
They advised me to go to main dealer and have a word with them. Citroen Derby were superb, there tech guy suspected it was a shocker, he put it on the ramps and had a check and confirmed the telescopic bit is broken. The car is out of warranty but he had a word with the sales guy and they have emailed DS with the intention of trying to get it done for free for me.

Hopefully the end is in sight.

I'll update on Monday

[Jo67]

Well that's a good result if they do it foc.

[Noo]

Hope they sort that kit for you

[Hyperkev]

Nice one

[lfcrule1972]

Glad its been diagnosed at least

[Azbates]

Citroen got back to me and said DS will pay 70% of the costs, I'm pretty happy with that!

[Superfly Guy]

A story with a happy ending that details a helpful Citroen garage, quick get it off the forum