Knocking noise from front tire

There is a knocking noise from the left front of the vehicle while driving. The front struts and control arm were replaced recently.
Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
It would be helpful to know why were the components you mentioned were replaced in the first place. There are a few more components in the front end that could cause this issue. Problems with the sway bar links are common on these vehicles. My best recommendation would be to have the vehicle raised and inspected to determine what is causing the knocking noise.

How to Identify and Fix Common car Problems ?

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Bad Tires/Bad Left Tire – A knocking sound may be heard when tires go bad, if they are unbalanced or misaligned, or if there is a broken belt in one of the tires. Wheel Bearings – If a wheel bearing is severely worn out the wheel will not be able to spin freely. This may cause a knocking sound to be heard.
A clunking, rattling, or squeaking noise from your front end while driving can be annoying and unnerving. Oftentimes, this noisy symptom means there is a problem with your vehicle`s suspension system. These sounds typically occur when driving over uneven surfaces, bumps, or potholes.
Tie Rods: A clunking noise when turning typically means there`s a loose or broken tie rod. Sway Bar Link: With a failing sway bar link, you will not only notice a knocking noise while you are turning but also poor handling.
The noise could be a from a tire that is separated or one of the front axles joints being bad. If you do not feel anything in the steering when the noise is happening, then the noise is most likely from an inner axle joint on one of the axles.
When a wheel hub bearing wears out, it puts extra stress on the CV-joint. That can cause the knocking/clunking noise when you turn the vehicle.
The common issues that cause the clunking noise include: Worn out control arm bushes. Bushes keep the control arm in position. They can wear out over time, making the arm loose, thus causing the clunking to appear when going slow or over bumpy roads.
There are four sounds in particular that you should look out for: creaking, grunting, rattling, and knocking. See your auto collision center if you hear any of these noises, and keep reading for more on the four sounds of suspension problems.
This symptom typically happens when you have a suspension issue, and occurs when driving over bumps, uneven surfaces, debris, potholes, and more. It could be that some suspension part is loose or broken. The suspension system is fairly complex, so finding the exact source of the noise can be tricky to do by yourself.
A knocking sound when going over bumps can indicate a problem with the suspension struts. There might be a clanking sound of metal hitting metal when you go over bumps. This could show the rubber bushes that join parts of the suspension have failed.
Rod knocks are typically caused by wear or damage to the bearings. However, engine knocking can also be caused by several mechanical problems. These include: Defective main crankshaft bearings.
Sound — Usually the first indication of worn or loose ball joints will be a faint, intermittent clunking noise that seems to be coming from a corner of your vehicle. The sound may be more pronounced when going over a bump or a dip or when going around a corner.
Everything from the lower control arm with the control arm bushings – which connect the control arm with the frame of the vehicle – to the ball joints can cause suspension noises. Some vehicles – due to age and wear – are more prone to a creaking or groaning noise when the wheel is turned.
Worn or dry rotted suspension bushings essentially make two different sounds; they either squeak like an old bed frame or clunk like two heavy pieces of metal colliding. Typically, sounds are exacerbated by turns or bumpy terrain.
One of the most common causes of engine knocking is low oil. If your car has been using more oil than usual, it`s a good idea to top it off. You can also try using a higher-quality oil, as this can help reduce engine wear. It`s important to regularly change your oil because dirty oil can also cause knocking.
When the CV joint becomes damaged or worn, you may hear a clicking, clunking or popping sound coming from this area as the weight of the vehicle puts pressure on this area and shifts back and forth and side to side.
One of the most common causes of engine knocking is low oil. If your car has been using more oil than usual, it`s a good idea to top it off. You can also try using a higher-quality oil, as this can help reduce engine wear. It`s important to regularly change your oil because dirty oil can also cause knocking.

Relevant Questions and Answers :

the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue

I hear a loud clicking noise on the drivers side by my tire rim when turning the steering wheel front tires vibrating as well.
ANSWER : A clicking noise on turning is very characteristic of a failed outboard CV axle joint. Sometimes, in such a circumstance, you can see that the rubber outboard boot is actually torn and leaking grease. If you see that (look behind the wheel toward the axle end), the axle for sure will have to be serviced. If you change the axle, be sure to install a new rubber seal on the transmission output side so that you do not have transmission fluid leaks with the new axle (a common mistake is to overlook that seal; if an old, left-in-place seal leaks after the axle is put in the job has to be done all over again). Vibration without actual shaking of the steering wheel "might" be related to the axle issue. On the other hand, such vibration could also be due to a failed wheel bearing, especially with over 200,000 miles on the vehicle and if those are the original bearings. If you were to need both an axle and a wheel bearing at the same time, and on the same side, that’s actually not that bad because the steering knuckle that holds the wheel bearing has to come off anyway to replace the axle. But, backing up here, the very first thing to do is get the issue properly diagnosed so you spend the minimum possible. If you want to obtain a diagnostic, please request a vehicle CV/wheel bearing noise inspection and the responding certified mechanic will get this taken care of for you. If you have further questions or concerns, do not hesitate to re-contact YourMechanic as we are always here to help you.

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Cupped tires
ANSWER : Hi there:

Cupping on a tire is one of the more difficult items to diagnose; due to the multiple causes of cupping. In most cases, cupping is caused by suspension components like struts that are worn out; causing the tire to absorb more shock than it should. When you combine this with low air pressure, poor tire quality or certain driving methods; the tread on the tire will separate, causing the tire to "cup". The best way to pinpoint why your tires are cupping is to have a professional mobile mechanic complete a cupping on tires inspection.

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i hear a lot of noise on my front rear tires and i just change my front tires do not what wrong with it
ANSWER : It may not be the tires themselves but rather the front wheel bearings that are at fault for the noise. If noise did not start until you put new tires on then it may be the tire tread and is normal tire noise.

If you’d like to have this looked at, consider YourMechanic, as a certified technician can help you diagnose the noise from your tires in person and suggest a fix from there.

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Rubbing noise coming from the front driver’s side tire. What could be the problem?
ANSWER : The wheel hub bearing could be getting noisy or the scraping noise could be caused by the brake pad material. The most common cause of such noise is when the metallic material in the brake pad makes a scraping noise when brakes are not being applied and then it becomes noisier when the brakes are applied.

Bad or faulty lower control arm bushings will cause the noise to resonate through the frame and body of the car when compared to good rubber bushings that would normally isolate most of the noise.

First, get a certified technician, such as one from YourMechanic, to replace the control arm bushings and check the brakes for any cracks in the brake pad material and excessive metal material in the pads that can cause the noise. At the same time, get the wheel hub bearings checked for noise and replaced, if necessary.

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Loud repetitive noise coming from front tire in 2 wheel drive, goes away when in 4 wheel drive.
ANSWER : Hello, thank you for writing in. Chances are there was an existing issue that was amplified by the tire rotation. There are several parts that will cause similar symptoms. You will want to consider the parts that are under load in 4wd, that are free when in 2wd. This would include the axle and sveral joints. There are a couple of tests that can be done. More damage was likely done driving on dry pavement in 4wd. It was a good step in diagnostics, but should be avoided. For more help with diagnosing the sounds, contact our service department to schedule an appointment.

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The front tire is making a knocking sound when I accelerate
ANSWER : The noise could be a from a tire that is separated or one of the front axles joints being bad. If you do not feel anything in the steering when the noise is happening, then the noise is most likely from an inner axle joint on one of the axles. I recommend having the front end checked by a mechanic, like one from YourMechanic. They will be able to diagnose the knocking noise and make sure that any repairs that are needed are done properly.

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A whining noise starting at 20 m/ph as well as oscillating noise which speeds up and slows down – coming from drivers side.
ANSWER : Hello, thank you for writing in. Due to having the tires replaced recently, you may have a balance issue. Tires are "balanced" in a process where they spin the wheel on a machine and make sure they turn evenly. Any issues are corrected by adding weights to certain parts of the tire. The tires may have been improperly balanced, or may not have been balanced at all. You should start there, and see if the issues is resolved. When they have the wheels off, have a technician check the brakes. Make sure the pads were properly installed and are in place. Between the two inspections and any possible corrections, the issue would go away. If the noises continue, you will want to have the wheel assemblies inspected.

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Strong knocking from front driver’s side and passenger side when making turns left OR right.
ANSWER : The steering rack and pinion assembly is mounted in rubber bushings; they may be deteriorated and allowing the rack and pinion to contact the sub frame making the knocking noise.

The other component to look at is the struts upper bearing and rubber bushing. These get dry of lubricant and should be lubed with a teflon grease when installed so the rubber will not get damaged.

Have someone feel the top of the strut mount under the hood while the steering is turned back and forth to see if the knocking or popping is in the strut. The rack and pinion bushings should be inspected from under the vehicle.

If either or both are bad then they will need to be replaced.

A mobile mechanic, such as one from YourMechanic, can come to your home or business to inspect the knocking noise at your home or business.

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