Loud knock - drop links?

[EarthMummy]

Hi all, new to the forum and have already posted an introduction. Hello!

My friend bought her 206cc yesterday and so far so good. I had a good look around the car as I do a lot of car maintenance myself and found one fault with the brake fluid hose, appeared to have either come off or be missing a clip. I asked them to sort it and they did. I noticed the hose was wet. It now has a jubilee clip nearer the top of the brake fluid tank.

Also, On the test drive my friend took it for a drive and insured via the motor trade policy. The policy holder was in the car at the time. I listened out for any knocks or whines, and any strange noises etc.
I asked my friend to take down the high street for speed bumps to check any faults in the suspension but due to nerves she chickened out.

Test drive went well, asked her how the brakes performed etc etc.
All went fine and ended up purchasing the car over a very thorough check over.

Have noticed quite a loud knock noise under the front of the vehicle.
Had originally tracked it down to a 'only knocking whilst steering' but soon realized its more of a 'any quite hard bump and it knocks'

Immediately leaves me to believe it is something like the drop links.
I had to do a rear one on my car (406 estate, I know, I know, should of been replaced as a pair but I stupidly paid £30 for ONE drop link, across the road from the MOT test station, purely to get it passed the MOT in a hurry).

Is there any way of checking to see exactly which drop link has failed? I am 4 months pregnant at the moment so limited as to what work I can do on the cars now!
I was thinking, jacking the car up and move the wheel at the top to see if there's excessive play?

Just after some advice,

[Capncol]

Hello and welcome.
Wow! I'm impressed with you having a go at this while pregnant!
Your problem could be droplinks, anti rollbar bushes, shock absorber, suspension joint or broken spring.
It's easier with an assistant, but jack the car up and turn the steering full lock so you have a good view of suspension components.You may have to repeat on the other lock to see everything.

Get someone to use a large prybar (scaffold pole?) between the ground and the bottom of the tyre and use it to lift suspension up and down slightly while you carefully inspect all the suspension components. You may have to *feel* for any movement as you may not see it. If the spring is broken,you should see as it's usually quite obvious.

Good luck and let us know how you get on

[EarthMummy]

Hello and welcome.
Wow! I'm impressed with you having a go at this while pregnant!
Your problem could be droplinks, anti rollbar bushes, shock absorber, suspension joint or broken spring.
It's easier with an assistant, but jack the car up and turn the steering full lock so you have a good view of suspension components.You may have to repeat on the other lock to see everything.

Get someone to use a large prybar (scaffold pole?) between the ground and the bottom of the tyre and use it to lift suspension up and down slightly while you carefully inspect all the suspension components. You may have to *feel* for any movement as you may not see it. If the spring is broken,you should see as it's usually quite obvious.

Good luck and let us know how you get on

Thanks!
Not entirely sure what I'd be looking for with the anti rollbar bushes (is that a case of excessive movement = broken)? shock absorber and the suspension joint etc..

Do the 206s typically go through the drop links like the 406? Anything a common failure on them?
Thanks for all the advice, will take a look at the car tomorrow.. just have to find the jack handle!

Thanks again

[The Swig]

Don't just use the jack when testing these parts. Ideally you want to put it on axle stands for security.

[EarthMummy]

Don't just use the jack when testing these parts. Ideally you want to put it on axle stands for security.

This is very true!