"Ker-Tong" sound - 156 TS

Hey guys

I have a unique situation and hopefully someone here might have the answer/solution.

My car is a late 2002, 156 2.0L TS selespeed. Occasionally when I go over an undulating road, there will be this "ker-tong" sound from below the car. (Sounds like when an empty oil drum is hit with a stick). The sound seems to come from under the car just behind the driver (RHD).

I have taken the car to the workshop a couple of times. We have lifted her up to check the undercarriage and short of removing all the linkages, arms, ARBs, etc. nothing seems to be loose.

This "ker-tong" sound only comes once in a while and I am unable to recreate it at will. As such, I am unable to let my mechanic hear what it sound like nor have him pinpoint the location.

Has anyone ever had this problem? I have had it for the past 5 months or so. Took her to the track last month, induced over and under-steer but no "ker-tong" sound. Took several friends and 2 mechanics for a ride and I still cound not recreate the sound. But I just heard it again today

Any ideas?

Thanks

Can you recreate it by jacking the front of the car up and letting it down again?

Does it happen when you are diving quickly or at any speed? Is any part of the car hitting the ground?

Btw I have no idea what it is.

Originally Posted by michaeld

Can you recreate it by jacking the front of the car up and letting it down again?

Does it happen when you are diving quickly or at any speed? Is any part of the car hitting the ground?

Btw I have no idea what it is.

Have not tried the jacking suggestion. Will try it soon.

I have had the sound at slow (40kmh) and fairly fast (110kmh) so it does not seem to speed related.

Have you noticed any problems with the back end being a little more "enthusiastic" than usual around the times you've heard the noise?

MR

Originally Posted by CoolJazz

Hey guys


This "ker-tong" sound only comes once in a while and I am unable to recreate it at will. As such, I am unable to let my mechanic hear what it sound like nor have him pinpoint the location.

Has anyone ever had this problem?
Thanks

Yes I have had this problem. More like a "bong" than a "ker-tong". I have always put this down to the suspension being caught out by a pot hole which then causes the spring to make the noise as it contracts/expands and re-seats itself. possibly it is to do with the damping. I,also, have not been able to re create despite trying - so you do feel a bit stupid describing it to the service department!!

Echo that, mine goes BONG every now and again as well, for no particular reason. It's being doing it since new. I have given up trying to find iout why

this may also help:

http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/showthread.php?t=23996 (156 Rear Suspension noises + tires)

Originally Posted by Mike Rovardi

Have you noticed any problems with the back end being a little more "enthusiastic" than usual around the times you've heard the noise?

MR

No I have not..... performance has remained the same. It's just the sound.

Originally Posted by ed77

Yes I have had this problem. More like a "bong" than a "ker-tong". I have always put this down to the suspension being caught out by a pot hole which then causes the spring to make the noise as it contracts/expands and re-seats itself. possibly it is to do with the damping. I,also, have not been able to re create despite trying - so you do feel a bit stupid describing it to the service department!!

Thanks mate!!! It is really funny and difficult to explain to the mechanics when I can't recreate the sound at will.

Now that you mention about "bong" vs "ker-tong"..... hhmmmm I would say it sounds like a bit of both and you might be right. It might be the springs (suspension) that got "un-seated"......... Can't decide whether to laugh or to cry......

Any solution short of changing suspension?

Originally Posted by IanM

Echo that, mine goes BONG every now and again as well, for no particular reason. It's being doing it since new. I have given up trying to find iout why

Hey, that make 3 of us (should I cry or laugh?)
I had actually given up on finding why because the sound has disappeared for 3 months or so, but then it came back once today.


PS: It is totally off topic but I just have to add this.... "Should I cry or laugh" just reminded me of the song by The Clash "Should I stay or should I go"

Originally Posted by ed77

this may also help:

http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/showthread.php?t=23996 (156 Rear Suspension noises + tires)

Very informative thread. Thanks for seaching it out and posting the link!
Cheers

I once had a very load metallic sound from under the car when the car was being driven hard or very uneven surface - it turned out to be the exhaust heat shield was bent up and catching on the anti-roll bar when it flexed.

Mine's a bonger too, seemingly from the front end, sounds like a big spring....which of course the suspension has! Very occasionally, sometimes when not doing any particular type of manoeuvre either.

Originally Posted by CoolJazz

Very informative thread. Thanks for seaching it out and posting the link!
Cheers

Just re read the thread, it seems Alfa's go, clunk, thump, Bong as well as making a sound like the hand of god...
Mind you nobody explained the Bong, apart from the guy (forgot who) who suggested it was the handbrake cable, that's something it definatly isn't...

Originally Posted by Pascs

I once had a very load metallic sound from under the car when the car was being driven hard or very uneven surface - it turned out to be the exhaust heat shield was bent up and catching on the anti-roll bar when it flexed.

Please elaborate. Where is this exhaust heat shield and which ARB?

Thanks

Originally Posted by Sillyspeed

Mine's a bonger too, seemingly from the front end, sounds like a big spring....which of course the suspension has! Very occasionally, sometimes when not doing any particular type of manoeuvre either.

Thanks for sharing your experience. Misery loves company

Originally Posted by IanM

Just re read the thread, it seems Alfa's go, clunk, thump, Bong as well as making a sound like the hand of god...
Mind you nobody explained the Bong, apart from the guy (forgot who) who suggested it was the handbrake cable, that's something it definatly isn't...

VERY GOOD Observation Ian! You took the words right out of my mouth

Maybe the fact that our Alfas go clunk, thump, boing as well as making a sound like the hand of god are the irks that gives the car its CHARACTER