front Suspension knocking, 3200

[Almichie]

In an attempt to make the car look pretty inreadyness for a drive today I cleaned washed and waxed her yesterday afternoon before tucking her up for the night.

When I reversed out of the garage and turned sharp right I heard a loud knock. Driving today it seems that if you hit the brakes with a little force the knock can be heard, also at or near full lock, over larger bumps etc. I also noticed at over 40mph you can hear a gentle noise that appears to be related to suspension movement.

I noticed the noise earlier in the year but today it is the waste that I've noticed. I've had it jacked up (in the summer) and couldn't see anything that stood out (bushes seem good, not noticeable play anywhere) but the noise remains.

I think it may have to be booked in now as it really is getting bad; has any one had anything like this before? I was thinking either track rod end or an upper it lower ball joint?

Thanks in advance, Al

 

[philw696]

Front anti roll bar drop links or d bushesost likely.

 

[Almichie]

Front anti roll bar drop links or d bushesost likely.

ThAnks Phil,

It's had the drop links replaced, but will recheck them tomorrow along with the drop link rubbers, in fact I may just have them replaced; the rears were done earlier this year so the fronts must be due.

 

[philw696]

No worries apologies for my grammar just opened a bottle of lemonchello after being on the Gordon's.

 

[conaero]

Lower arm to hub balljoints are a common one on the 3200.

Get a pry bar under the joint and look for play.

Sometimes they simply require tightening.

 

[Almichie]

Lower arm to hub balljoints are a common one on the 3200.

Get a pry bar under the joint and look for play.

Sometimes they simply require tightening.

Thanks for this, i took a quick look tonight without removing the wheel and can't see any shim out of place or gaps/loose nuts etc.

I'll get the can jacked up tomorrow and get the wheels off and see if anything is loose, failing that it'll go in with my local to see if they can't see anything; it's due an MOT in a couple of weeks and I wouldn't want it to fail on something silly

 

[Parisien]

As Matt states....its a common ongoing complaint Almichie


P

 

[Almichie]

Checked all the obvious today; managed to get about an 1/8th of a turn on the lower ball joint and the same on the most forward of the lower arm bolts and the large clunk has now gone, which is nice. There is still a suspension related click/ small knock when going over speed bumps and when you go ******* the brake. I'm suspecting this is likely the AR bar bushes as the drop links have already been done. I'll get these ordered and report back.

Thanks for the advise so far chaps.

Al

 

[conaero]

Sounds like front roll bar drop link, they are cheap so just replace them.

 

[Parisien]

Had the same on mine....changed and checked all............its still there only only on harsh braking.....4 yrs later....


P

 

[BennyD]

It looks like her front knockers need suspension. Sorry, I misread the thread title.

 

[allandwf]

Maybe the nipples need greasing!

 

[BennyD]

I can do that, I've got a sackful of white grease that would do the job nicely.

 

[2b1ask1]

I can do that, I've got a sackful of white grease that would do the job nicely.

Benny, are you getting fuzzy feelings for the 3200 now

 

[BennyD]

If so, it's probably nausea.

 

[Almichie]

Amazing; the infinite ability of SM to stray (although not so far in this case) from the original theme, and of corse add humour into the mix!

In all seriousness though, I removed the drop link to be sure that it was the issue and found it nice and tight (waits for the puns) so pulled the bush on the bottom of the shock and reinserted it and reassembled and tightened up; voila the noise has gone! The bush must have needed a little fondle and the pin reinserting with some force.....

 

[Parisien]

Thats the spirit Almichie.......one solid thrust with a bit of lub..............and it all comes right......


P

 

[2b1ask1]

So there is some truth in the older ones teaching you a thing or two...

Well done indeed

 

[Almichie]

Following the replacement of the brakes the knocking is back with a vengeance.

Thinking I would use the MOT to highlight the issue I booked it in and it passed first time! I have ordered a new set of top mounts for the shock absorbers and will try this first.

Any other thoughts?

 

[davy83]

I still think the lower ball joints are likely or its the rears (top or bottom) and you are not hearing the source well. The suspension ball joints don't last very long so are a prime problem (except for the front upper one which is the cheapest to replace and lasts longer than all the others doooh). One thing might be the AR bushes, did you look at these? If these start to rotate rather than twist they click and creak? They are reasonably cheap and easy to replace, it might be worth a try.