Front left end thump/knocking sounds

[daxb]

So I just had my front brake pads replaced and rotors resurfaced last week (Tues).

This week, I noticed (yesterday), driving in the snow that I've got a bump sound whenever I hit rough pavement/bumps in the road. It has gotten worse, tonight on my drive home it sounded worse. Its a combination thump/rattle/knocking when that happens. AND when I give the brakes a sharp tap, I get the thump/knock too. Definitely sounds like it's coming from front left axle/wheel area. Any ideas?

It sort of sounds like a problem I had summer 2001 - ended up having the lower ball joints replaced and that problem went away. I hope it's not that again, that's way to soon to replace that crap again.

Front suspension has otherwise seemed fine, although I haven't replaced it since I bought used in Dec. '99. Back left shock is leaking and needs replacement, but shouldn't have anything to do w/ front right, correct?

 

[daxb]

er, make that last statement, rear left shock leak should have nothing to do w/ front left noise.

 

[MuddLover]

Wheel bearings

Have you checked your wheel bearings yet?

Sometimes they will knock, thump, and make all matter of raket rather than squeeling once they begin to go out.

 

[Bshmastr]

This exact thing happened to me, and it turns out they didn't tighten the brake caliper to the hub/spindle whatever. A bolt was working loose, and it rattled and banged like crazy.

 

[daxb]

bshmaster: Is this something I could do myself? I'd hate to be driving there and the bolt come out.

 

[Bshmastr]

Yeah, I just took the front left tire off, looking for the noise. When I grabbed the caliper and shook it, there was like 1/10 inch of play. So I felt around for the bolts that hold it on to the spindle, and one was not tightened down. I just got a socket and torqued it down. No more rattle.