Clonking noise heard when turning the steering wheel

[Big Dave]

When I turn the steering wheel, I get a sort of clonking or twanging sound coming from the offside front wheel. It does it regardless if the car is stationary or moving. I have jacked up the car and am satisfied it's not a track rod end or balljoint - no play whatsoever can be felt. However, if I hold the suspension spring and get someone to turn the wheel, it can be felt through the spring. Doesn't do it on the passenger side. Also when I lowered the car back down to the ground it didn't do it at all for short while.

My initial thoughts is the bearing on top of the suspension strut isn't turning smoothly and needs replacing.

Anyone got any other thoughts what it could be, or ways to diagnose further without stripping everything down to take a look?

06 Vectra with 47,000 miles on the clock.

Cheers.

[MRS Wez]

we've got same problem and 2 garages have told us its top bearing too. so i think your right!
we've also got to replace our control arms at front so i get plenty to keep me busy!!

[Art]

That's the type of thing that comes up as an MOT advisory, here's one I was given earlier ...

Offside front Macpherson strut has slight movement at upper attachment [2.5.A.1c]

[P3tchy]

I have exactly the same thing, My Mechanic has said top mount as well.

Any excuse to lower it.

[harny86]

Mate is defo your strut top got mine at vx now getting done.They may be able to put the mod plate that they have in for you.They told me is because of the weather.But i would 100% say its ytour strut top

[tonyord]

mines the same any idea of cost to replace at a local garage ?

[Maddog1974]

I had a similar thing but the noise was intermittant and it turned out to be stones in the spring cup and they were getting caught and 'pinging'.

[Big Dave]

Thanks for your answers so far. It looks like my suspicions are confirmed.

However, I popped in my local Vx garage this morning for them to take a look. Initially they thought it could be a broken spring as they've done loads just recently. Mechanic took a look - confirmed both springs were ok, could have told them that when I looked. Then thought the same as me - the top mount bearing. Popped it into the workshop to get it up on one of the vehicle lifts and found loads of grit and small stones in the spring cup. They cleared it all out with an air line and said everything was ok. Nothing appeared wrong with the top bearing. Unfortunately as I was leaving it did it again. Grrrrr.

They also mentioned that my springs had the mod done to help prevent corrosion and eventual snapping. Some kind of rubber cover or something like that.

This afternoon I gave the car a wash and gave the wheel arch and suspension a good washing out was well. Noise is still there.

Looks like I'm going to have to take the spring assembly out for a closer look at this top mount bearing.

[Big Dave]

Since washing out the wheel arches, the noise got progressively worse.

Until last night that is. After driving for an hour or so the noise suddenly vanished. Not heard anything from it today either. Bizarre or what?

[harny86]

mate if you already have the mod i would say its your bearing mines in vx on tuesday cause thats when they said they will have the part.I took it to kwik fit and they said 170pound and it might not be that but the car is under warrinty so a just went to vx