somethings catching when wheel is turned

[justin33]

My mate has just brought an 08 vectra c ellegance(i think) and he noiticed that when her turn the wheel half lock theres a slight knocking noise comming from the passenger front wheel.I had a look tonight and noticed that when he turns its seems that the coil spring is catching on something as its turning.Ive had a feel along the spring and it didnt feel like it was broken so im not sure what it could be.

Anybody got any suggestions i could pass on to him?

Thanks

[Leemarksmith]

Spring sleeve maybe, could be the metal on metal when turning causing it to twang etc...

[John LE]

Either that or the strut top bearing is knackered. It causes the spring to stick, twist and then jump as you turn the steering

[jamesmcuk]

The spring Shouldn't turn with the wheels but may move if the top mounts are loose or kaput. Does the noise happen with no forward or reverse motion? If it happening while moving it could be the CV joint perhaps.

[John LE]

The spring does turn with the steering, i've built enough Vec C shocks up to know that

[jamesmcuk]

The spring does turn with the steering, i've built enough Vec C shocks up to know that

Really??? Actually turns? Or do you mean the whole assembly rotates?

PS: Do you know what the average ride height should be for an SRI above a standard tyre and rim? As in how many cm's from top of tyre to arch - roughly? Just wondering if my springs are snapped.

[John LE]

The whole assembly rotates but the bearing on the top mount can seize and or collapse which stops the spring turning smoothly with the strut.

I'm sure the is a thread with hub centre to wheel arch measurements on here

[jamesmcuk]

I'm sure the is a thread with hub centre to wheel arch measurements on here

Will see if I can find it.

Thanks for the reply

[justin33]

Thanks for you replies guys i will pass it on to him.

Its definatly not CV related because it does it when the car is stationary and you can see the spring kick/flick slightly when the steering wheel is turned.

[John LE]

Thanks for you replies guys i will pass it on to him.

Its definatly not CV related because it does it when the car is stationary and you can see the spring kick/flick slightly when the steering wheel is turned.

Guessing it's making a bed spring twang sort of noise too?