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What is causing knocking from the front wheel on my Mercedes-Benz A180?

Last July I purchased a pre-registered Mercedes-Benz A180 CDI. On the whole it's a good car, but I feel it has fault. On full lock, the N/S front wheel skips and knocks and, as a 77-year old ex-motor trader, it feels like a faulty CV joint. I have been back to the dealer four times but every time they either say it is normal for this model car or is the tyres and, as for the CV joint, it never fails. The fault shows up most when reversing over a rough surface on my driveway. I'm sure they think I am old fart who doesn't know what he is talking about.

Asked on 12 January 2013 by RW, Witham

Answered by Honest John
You should never ever use 'full lock' under power on a front wheel-drive car because of the contortions you then put the driveshaft CV joints through. Alternatively the skipping and knocking may be the ABS activating. But if the fault pre-existed your purchase then the dealer who sold it to you is probably liable under Clegg v Olle Anderson, Supreme Court, 2003.
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