knocking sound from front end

[rasczak]

Hi guys, it's been awhile since I've posted in this section, but I was hoping you could help me figure something out. Recently I've started to hear loud knocking sounds "thunk" coming from the front of the car. The steering is starting to pull to the right a bit and the steering wheel has a bit of play. How do I diagnose if the issue is with my rack and pinion or if it's my controller arm? The knocking sound is pretty regular (kinda coincides with bumps in the road).

99 passat 1.8t GLS.

 

[SSSnail]

Shocks, worn bumb stop?

 

[BassBomb]

cv joint? my civic had alot of clunking over bumps and it needed a new joiint

 

[rasczak]

cv joint? my civic had alot of clunking over bumps and it needed a new joiint

no, it's def. not the cv joint, i know those clicks. the knocks stop when I turn left or right.

 

[brblx]

put car in air with front wheels hanging, put a hand on each side of the wheel and gently shake back and forth to feel for any play. then do the same thing, but up and down instead of side to side. you may or may not find your problem this way, but it's a good first check.

probably a bad ball joint, control arm bushings, or a strut mount if it happens on bumps.

 

[JJ650]

I 2nd ball joints or control arms.

 

[bruceb]

Ball joints, tie rods, bad upper strut mounts, bad strut (shock), maybe worn out rubber bushings, maybe the sway bar end link is broken.

 

[AMCRambler]

I'd guess tie rod ends. One or both. Or the pitman arm.

 

[zoiks]

I think it's the car.