Megane 1996 - bonk in front suspension

Honest John Back Room » Technical matters
View Threaded
Thu 12 May 2005 23:02
Megane 1996 - bonk in front suspension - Mike H
Since I bought my megane a year ago for my son to learn to drive in, it has had a persistent bonk from the nearside front suspension. The garage (not a Renault dealer) took a look at it a couple of times. First time they reported replacing a worn bolt (location unspecified). Second time they noted a shock leaking and that this could be causing it, so I had the pair replaced with no effect. I've had a poke round & can find nothing loose or amiss - checked anti-roll bar bushes etc. Last week I thought I could feel a knock in the top mount of the strut, so had that replaced. Some change - noise less pronounced but still there. It wasn't an issue for the MOT. The offside front is no problem, perfectly quiet. Has anyone else had this this & solved it?
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Fri 13 May 2005 11:30
Megane 1996 - bonk in front suspension - arg69
Hi Mike,

I've had loads of front-end bonks and clunks with my '97 Megane - it's had new ball joints, springs, track rod ends etc. etc. Some time ago it had a bonk from the near side which an independent garage said came from "the bushes". Anyway, he soaked everything in duck oil and it was cured for a few months, returning when (I assume) the joints dried up again. Nothing needs replacing, and it sailed through an MoT with no snags. Give it a go.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Fri 13 May 2005 12:05
Megane 1996 - bonk in front suspension - Roger Jones
Possibly completely irrelevant, but just in case it isn't . . . I have just replaced the NSF "brake-support link and ball joint" on my MB W126, which was knocking, being especially noticeable when braking repeatedly at very low speeds and when crossing rough ground. This is a known weakness in this model, so well known that the part to fix it is called a "repair kit". Problem solved. Get someone -- not necessarily a dealer, but perhaps a more competent independent -- to check for excess play in all components in this zone.

By the way, my guess is that this is exactly the sort of thing that happens when people habitually bump across kerbs to park on pavements. Interesting that your problem is NSF too.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Fri 13 May 2005 13:00
Megane 1996 - bonk in front suspension - Mike H
By the way, my guess is that this is exactly the
sort of thing that happens when people habitually bump across kerbs
to park on pavements. Interesting that your problem is NSF too.


Well, it did start life as a hire car.....so god knows how it was treated in the past. Overall, it's remarkably up together, but it's just one of those things I guess that sounds worse than it is - in fact, one of my my son's driving instructors commented on it, concerned that the car wasn't mechanically sound! Ah well, perhaps I'll have another rummage round when the weather's warmer, at least my labour is free. I'll also try the lubrication trick.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link

Looking for a garage you can trust? Honest John's Good Garage Guide has thousands of reader recommended garages, plus how-to guides and tips on servicing.

The Good Garage Guide