Thud from Right Front Wheel…

[fljjmarz]

I posted this in the “convertibles” forum and didn’t receive any responses, so I thought I’d post it here:

Over the past couple months I’ve noticed a thud sound coming from the front passenger side wheel area of my 2006 FWD 1.8t Cabrio. It happens on hard breaking, when I hit a large bump & when I turn the wheel completely to the left or right in forward or reverse. Recently it’s becoming more prevalent & I realize I can no longer ignore it & it probably needs to be attended to.
Has anyone else experienced this? If so, what was your issue & more importantly, how much $$ did it cost to fix?
Thanks in advance.
Frank

[Dillon]

Questions..

1. Have you had your brakes or rotors changed recently?

2. Have you had your wheels removed for anything?

3. Can you work on your car yourself?

Answer these three and i may be able to help!

EDIT* Also do you have aftermarket rims with hubcentric rings? and is the thud one time per revolution or multiple?

[fljjmarz]

thanks for responding:
1. about a year ago
2. rotated same time breaks were done
3. yes
stock rims.

[Dillon]

hmm. does it just Thud one time when you break hard? or is it about one thud per each revolution under breaking?

[fljjmarz]

It doesn’t just “thud” while breaking…
I could be backing out of my driveway & turn the wheel all the way to the right &it sometimes happens then…
Additionally, it sometimes happens when I go over a pothole/bump in the street – I could go over a pothole/bump with the front driver’s side & nothing…
I’m going to set up a service appointment this week & have it taken care of – bit it seems like every time I bring the car in for some rattle or other issue, it never happens for the mechanic on the test drive.
Thanks for your help.
Frank

[brynreynolds]

Hi there Frank

I would take a close inspection of the rubber bushings on your control arms (especially the upper arms), my bet is that your bushing(s) are shot. Very simple inspection and a cheap and easy fix.

Regards
Bryn

[Greedo]

Is it a thud or more like a popping? Mine has a similar issue. When I'm driving at normal speeds I never notice it, but when I'm going slower, such as idle speed, I hear a popping noise. I have yet to figure it out and the car has done it for the longest time. I usually notice it when I'm backing out of my parking spot. It's really annoying.

[PwAg]

Is it a thud or more like a popping? Mine has a similar issue. When I'm driving at normal speeds I never notice it, but when I'm going slower, such as idle speed, I hear a popping noise. I have yet to figure it out and the car has done it for the longest time. I usually notice it when I'm backing out of my parking spot. It's really annoying.

Have slight popping sound on passenger side when pulling out of garage or slow turns in parking lot. Wheel must be turned to "left" for this to occur. Only became issue after re-hauling my control arms, tie-rods, and struts this past weekend. Have two main suspects:

1. Sway bar link - still awaiting the correct sway link for right side of vehicle (was sent wrong part) and new matching bolts. New bolts going into sway bar strike me as critical.
2. Outer tie-rod ball joint (specifically insert rod) that is pressed into top of wheel bearing housing. This insert section has a special orientation that coincides with horizontal bolt going through the cross-section. It is possible that the insert is slightly off center and the high torsion during low speed turning results in strain between insert recess & bolt. Perhaps top or horizontal nuts in this area are also over-torqued?

Just had alignment done. Need to find out if I can remove these tie-rod bolts, keep insert in place, check insert orientation, while not altering alignment specs. Bently manual says not to touch these bolts or it may effect alignment. Don't quite understand how that is case if insert stays in place and only adjustment is toe (lock nut mating with inner tie rod section).