Fil

Should there be any play in front drift shafts? as in up and down and front and back movement, by play i mean about 1mm tops?

Overhalfs Ka, has a proper knocking noise from the front, suspension knock etc.

Just been under it,

no play in the wheel bearings.
suspension lower arms, with the 3 bushes, all ok,( replaced not to long ago.
arb, seems solid, bushes look ok
engine and gearbox mounts look to be in good condition.
suspension top mounts , look ok, feel solid.

nothing found apart from the drift shaft play?

2001 car on 70K

any other areas to investigate???

Ollie MK5 Turbo

I had a mate who asked me about this on her ka. She was getting a knocking sound when pulling away. Only problem i found was the same as you.
The drive shafts just move about in the cups.

silky16v

iTrader: (1)

they go threw front shocks quite quickly the Ford Ka check the seals

Fil

cant see any signs of leaks? Still jacked up at the mo, ill give it a bounce when back on the ground.

dojj

iTrader: (3)

how are you testing the shafts for play?
you need to be twisting them back and forth to feel for play whilst holding the other bit of the cv to see if you can feel any movement

and in and out movement is fine as that's just the slack being taken up, but a twisting bit of movement points to something being wrong

have you done the "drive it on full lock one way then the other" to eleminate them from the equation?

zetecapri

youll get up and down play, and in and out. but try turning them, shouldnt really have play there.

Dal_

iTrader: (2)

Do Kas have anti-roll bars? If so, and it's a suspension 'clonk' - check the drop links