Hi folks,

Newbie here (we all were at some point, eh?).

Just got hold of a 95 1.8i GLX (picking up tomorrow), which has a suspicious knocking noise coming from underneath *somewhere* on going across bumps.

Apparently, mechanics have been unable to find the cause.

Is there anything specific to the 323F that might be causing this? Like, for example, on some cars the anti-roll bar bushes give up - causing a similar noise - and need changing regularly.

Also, following a brief look in the engine bay, I couldn't see where the oil filter is in this engine. Where is it, and is it a bugger to change or what?

Cheers!

Has the car passed an MOT recently? If not then I would look at the balljoints, I had a knocking noise and went for an mot and it failed on the balljoint (excess play). After changing them the noise has gone.

As for the oil filter, its on the back of the engine under the inlet manifold.

Only way to get to the filter is under the off side wheel arch putting your arm between driveshaft exhaust and steering rack.

Thanks for that ... are balljoints an expensive job on these cars?

Will investigate the filter situation when we get the car tomorrow ... unless a "new" car has clean oil, I like to get it changed straight away.

Cheers, Angus

I do remember some people experiencing this problem back at the yahoo 323 group, from what I remember a few people suggested that the anti-roll bar could be broken at one of the ends, so your suggestion of the bushes could be spot on?

Well, in any case I'll let youse know what it turns out to be ...

(I've had 4 "popup lights" Celicas in the last few years, and every one needed anti-roll bar bushes ...)

Angus

The MOT centre said £30 plus whatever the balljoint is. They later told me the balljoint cost £28 so £58 in total.

knocking when going over humps??

Is it when the front wheels hit the humps... If so, its definately the lower ball joints... Jack the car up and give the front wheels a check by moving it side to side whilst getting someone else to check the ball joint for movements...

Had this problem myself... I believe new joint cost £30 each... Changed them myself...

Could be the anti roll bar links, these have small ball joints at each end that wear and cause a knocking noise. You can normally feel the play in these by grasping the anti roll bar at the end and pushing and pulling against the link. Best to try them with the car on it's wheels and while wheel free.

check the hangars on the exhaust.... particularly the rear/center sections.

One of my hangars had snapped off and evertime i went over a small bumb, the exhaust would hit the suspension as it was hanging too low...

This problem was exaggerated by carrying passengers in the back....

Its probably not the same, but its worth checking out...

Yep, turns out it was one of the front anti-roll bar links.

Thankfully not a major problem.

We came by a boot spoiler - the right colour, too - for £25 up the local breakers, and have a nice set of alloys on the way, so the car's starting to shape up.

Also looks like we have a buyer for the Celica, so even better!

Cheers for the help, folks!

Angus

At 45k OTC my V6 has just started to produce the same annoying knocks. I initally thought it was a Ball Joint, so I replaced it last week but the knocks are still present, despite the Joint that came off, having a bit of play in it.
Anyway, not taking any chances so, Ive bought new droplinks, front and rear, and another new BJ from Autosave components.

Front BJ - £18 inc vat
Front Drop Link - £16 inc vat
Rear Drop Link - £12 inc vat

Hopefully all the knocks and bangs will be cured after this lot is fitted. Thankfully, none of it is too hard to change so I dont have to fork out for labour.



geee its painful at times, trying to find where these annoying knocks come from

Edited : Got half way to work this morning, and my front caliper was "smokin" so have just had to replaced the front discs and pads too

Discs are from a jap company called "Blue Print" only £34 each..which appears to be much cheaper than the mazda originals at £84 each Good old Autosave