Knocking from front

**Ben H** · 12th March 2006, 01:16

Have had a quick look round & seen a bit about front springs not seated right.
Basically woundered if anyone can shed any light on my issue.

Picked up my 52 reg SRI from dealership today (23k on it) has been fine all day untill this evening after leaving local leisure complex (has lots of speed humps) and drove about a mile down road, round a few roundabouts and knocking noise coming from front was very concerning, every lump in the road n/s/f wheel hit and coming off roundabouts, so concerning I thought wheel was loose so got out to investigate.
Couldn't find anything and so not having to turf out the boot to get wheel brace I returned to leisure complex where I'd been chatting to a mate in his recovery lorry for him to check it out. All wheel bolts torqued up so jacked it up, couldn't see nothing so let it back down and now all seems relitively ok.

Does this sound likely case of spring seating & if so is it rectifyable.
Thanks.

**signumT** · 12th March 2006, 08:14

could possibly be radiator bushes/mounts see here

http://www.vectra-c.com/forum/showth...ghlight=common

**Gsi3.2** · 12th March 2006, 10:34

a text book example of the spring seat fault..ask the dealer if the mod has been carried out.. it's an easily fixed 'fault'.Get them to check the anti roll bar links as well, it's not uncommon for them to produce a knock going over lumps.

Above all, enjoy your new car mate..

**Ben H** · 12th March 2006, 10:56

The knock felt quite severe which could easily be felt rather than just heard. Enough I was gonna leave it there for the night as I didn't want to drive it until we jacked it up & it settled.
Would rad mount knock be this violent? I'm presuming it's a sping seat issue so there is a mod Vaux can carry out then?

**IamtheStig** · 12th March 2006, 11:06

I had mine done a few weeks ago,i thought it was the springs but in the end Vaux changed the top stut mounts which they said were starting to break up,done under the 3yr warrenty but i wonder if this is a newer mod they do to cure the spring seat issue cause i find it hard to believe that the mounts would go after 20,000 miles

Give them their due though as its been all quiet ever since....

**Gsi3.2** · 12th March 2006, 11:09

Rad mount isn't a violent knock..

The spring seat prob happens when the spring is 'twisted' by the action of the steering and/or road humps and the trapped energy of the spring releases itself as a sudden thump when it re-seats itself. the dealers should be well aware of this fault, so no fob off's..

can go with quite a good bang.

I had a prob with the anti-roll bar links and bushes that also sounded the same. all replaced under warranty..

**Ben H** · 12th March 2006, 11:43

It was very reoccuring in that one short journey, litterally every bump the n/s/f seemed to hit, not just one sudden thump. I'll have to see if it's settled or not today & give the dealer a call in the week.

Is the mod identifiable just by looking to see if it's been done?

**Gsi3.2** · 12th March 2006, 12:02

You can see the mod...They put sleeves on the spring tails i beleive..But you have to be able to see into the spring pans..

It may well thump over every bump as well.. The dealers will have access to the cars service records to be able to tell what recalls or mods the car has had done..

If you're not to far away from Leighton buzzard, I'll have a look for you if you like..How's that for Vectra-c service... Only as I see you're herts/beds borders..

**Ben H** · 12th March 2006, 12:47

Yeah i'm just other side of Luton, Harpenden way. I work in Leighton Buzzard quite a bit.
Gonna take it for drive over to see sales man today I think & see what they say.
Thanks for the offer & the advice.

**Ben H** · 12th March 2006, 17:43

Ok, been for a drive today, decided not to go to dealership as they wouldn't be able to book it anyway. Probably been 40 miles I guess & it's been good as gold.