Clacking sound from front offside wheel/suspension

[Alex 111s]

I've got an annoying clacking sound coming from the my offside front wheel/suspension and can’t figure out the cause.
The sound is noticeable when I drive over an uneven surface (so that’s about every road around Aberdeen)

Initially I thought it was brake pads rattling in the calliper but I fitted pretty new pads/discs + anti rattle shims not that long ago and there doesn't appeart to be any real play in them plus the sound is still there when I apply the brakes.
I have removed the wheel to check the suspension out and couldn’t see anything untoward – ball joint bolts and suspension mounts all seem tight, spring isn’t broken, drop link onto anti roll bar is fine, track rod end is fine, no play in the hub.

Any suggestions what else I should be checking anything else in that area that could be loose. (steering rack maybe??)

[r10crw]

Is the noise speed dependent, ie related to the roation of the wheel? Did you use a big pry bar wheen checking the ball joints etc? It can be really difficult to notice the play by wiggling by hand.

[Noops]

My 160 had something of that nature, a clunk????everything as you described it was ok including the anti role bar......, however after closer inspection it was found the bar was ceased solid in the bushes.

Just a thought...

[mac]

Have the front "anti rattle" shims (I guess you mean the large plate that goes between the pad and the pins?) been installed the correct way up?


Mac

[Alex 111s]

Thanks Guys,

The noise is definately not speed related, it sounds like something loose coming into contact with something solid. More of a sharp clacking sound rather than a dull clunk.

Craig/Noops - was checking by hand as the car was up on one axle stand in the centre of the chassis rail. will jack it differently & try a bar + have a look at the ARB tonight.

Mac - I'm pretty sure it's not the brakes. the sprung plate between the pads is in correctly. the shims I referred to were the adhesive backers that stick to the back of the pad.

All part of the fun of Lotus onership I suppose.