Front End Noise - Slow Speed / Full Lock!

[RichardL]

My '89 Widebody Carerra makes a "clunking" noise when I'm manouvering at slow speed at full lock. It doesn't seem to happen all the time! Otherwise it seems to drive perfectly. The car has only 30K miles and I believe is on the original Fuch wheels with standard tyre sizes. Any thoughts?

[nick-moss]

There have been a couple of threads on this subject recently

here is one

[Eric Coffey]

What Nick said...

[RichardL]

After some experimentation I have isolated the problem!
It only happens after the car has been stopped and I do some slow speed manouvering - reversing out of my drive for example. It also only occurs once for about 10 meters as I turn full lock. It is a strong regular knock which I can hear but also feel through the steering wheel. It then dissapears and the car drives perfectly. I cannot replicate the noise unless I stop the car and leave it before starting again. It does seem to be getting worse when it occurs. A quick visual inspection has revealed nothing! Any thoughts would be gratefully received - the garage I use is a good distance away and will require taking time off work - again!

[nick-moss]

Does it happen on both locks? Forwards and backwards?

Could be wheel bearings, possibly a disc/caliper problem.

[RichardL]

Only going forward, on both locks! I suspect disc/caliper myslf - could a wheel bearing problem be intermittent?

[nick-moss]

I suppose it's possible. Have you jacked the front up and given everything a good inspection and wriggle? I'm sure any tyre/exhaust shop would be happy to help out. What inspection regime do you have in Ireland? Do they check suspension movement on the annual test using machinery? If so that machine should show the problem up.