Possible causes
Suspension joints
Worn joints can knock as the suspension moves. A damaged boot lets in water and dirt, which speeds up wear. The condition of a joint is established by inspection, not by the sound alone.
Bushes and mounting points
Rubber-and-metal parts damp the movement of the suspension. When they are damaged they can cause knocks and less precise handling. Similar noises on two cars do not necessarily mean the same faulty part.
Another source nearby
Noise travels through the body, so the impression that it knocks on the left can be misleading. Mention any recent repair, a hard hit to a wheel or a tyre change: these details help decide what to check first.
What to tell the mechanic
- Where the sound seems to come from: front, rear, one side or somewhere hard to pin down.
- When it appears: on small bumps, when turning, accelerating or braking.
- Whether vibration, pulling to one side or a change in the steering has also appeared.
What you can do
If after an impact the car no longer responds normally to the steering, a wheel sits at an odd angle or the knocking suddenly gets worse, stop in a safe place. Arrange for the car to be transported by a recovery service. Do not try to reproduce the noise by driving through potholes on purpose.
Where the check starts
The mechanic finds the exact cause during the inspection.
Frequently asked questions
Can I just ask for the shock absorbers to be replaced?
The cause needs to be found first. Replacing a part on a guess may leave the noise unsolved. When you call Titan, have the make, model and the conditions in which the sound appears ready.
Will wheel alignment stop the knocking?
Adjusting the angles does not repair worn joints. Whether a repair and a follow-up adjustment are needed is decided after the suspension check. Titan checks running gear at Petricani 17/3, Chișinău.