“CLUNK, CLUNK” noise to my n/s front wheel on full lock.

[Malcolm from Hampshire]

I have a Jaguar XF. When reversing out of my drive on full lock the nearside front wheel makes a clunk clunk sound.

i’m not sure if this is dangerous but obviously wish to check it. Recently a mechanic drove the car but no clunks. But it’s still doing this when I leave my drive . I’m trying to determine if this is normal or dangerous?

any observations appreciated.

 Malcolm. 

[N6 JMX]

Hi Malcolm, have you tried to replicate the manoeuvre anywhere else other than you own driveway, like a supermarket car park with plenty of space available? If so, does the noise appear in this alternative location?

If the noise is apparent whilst inside the car, it may well be that a part of the wheel is contacting some part of the bodywork. Can you have someone else make the reversing manoeuvre out of the driveway and allow you to be outside the car adjacent to the nearside front. That way, you may be able to get a better handle on where the noise is emanating from.

I don't think it can be normal, but I do know of some Porsche Boxster owners who experience something similar when making a tight reverse turn. This is due to the low profile wide section tyres on the Boxster.

Incidentally, your profile information indicates a Jaguar XF, as you state in your post, but it has 1999 as the Year Of Manufacture. A touch strange since the Jaguar XF only commenced production in 2008. Something amiss!

N6 JMX

[Malcolm from Hampshire]

Many thanks I will carry out the exercise you suggest.

you’re right my car is a 2009 model.

Regards.

 Malcolm.

[Malcolm from Hampshire]

I’ve tried reversing and going forward in full lock both left and right in the garden centre car park there was no noise no clunk.

The clunk only happens when I reverse the car out of my drive and then drive down the road but this is when the car is always cold.

I wonder if the power steering mechanism makes the clunk when cold and makes no noise when the engine is warmed up.

i’m not sure either way.

any further advice would be appreciated.

regards. Malcolm.

[Big John]

Have you tried to replicate noise without leaving car parked? My X type does make a clunk of the pads freeing from the disk as I reverse off the drive. it is only being driven once a week at the moment. Maybe try the manouvere without giving the front brakes time to "stick".

Good luck

John

[N6 JMX]

If it were the pads freeing from the disc after being parked to go cold, there would only be one "clunk", or at least one "clunk" per side. Can you confirm how many "clunks" are being heard and also clarify:

1. Is the clunk heard only when the front wheels are turned to full lock?

2. When you first engage reverse, do you travel any backward distance with the wheels pointing straight, i.e. no lock applied?

3. And if so, is there no clunk whilst travelling straight?

4. Is the clunk apparent whether you are reversing out of the driveway to turn right, or left or both?

5. If only with the wheel rotated to turn left, or right, which lock is being applied when the clunk appears, i.e. left hand down or right hand down?

6. If you look into the wheel arch of the nearside front wheel, use a torch, can you see any indications where the leading edge of the turned wheel may have contacted the wheel arch?

N6 JMX