Suspension Clanging Video

[PembsPanther]

Hello http://www.fgoc.co.uk/forum/Smileys/default/smiley.gif

Suspension knocking and clanging got a LOT worst today, was convinced it was the strut tops but after advice here and a ot of research I am no longer convinced so off came the wheel and had a good look and poke around with a bar, think I have found the culprit what do you think? Any advice?

 

 

Presuming this is the problem? Full wishbone replacement easier than messing with bushes? Any how to's anywhere?

Thanks in advance

 

 

[bigdave982]

Yup, wishbone fubared

[PembsPanther]

Hi Big Dave :)

 

So am I right in thinking that this worn bush will make the whole front end of the car sound as though it is about to fall off when going over certain bumps in the road? Going to be a few days before parts are delivered but need to carry on using the car in the meantime, is the only thing to be worried about the dramatic noise? ie nothing should actually fall off??

 

Thanks ;)

[bigdave982]

I think so yes, the noise form a worn droplink can be incredible so a wishbone with no bushing and the weight of the car banging up and down on it would be impressive to say the least. Needs changing soon as poss

[bigdave982]

I think so yes, the noise form a worn droplink can be incredible so a wishbone with no bushing and the weight of the car banging up and down on it would be impressive to say the least. Needs changing soon as poss . As it is it will probaly be affecting steering and braking as front wheels aint gonna be in line. Might be an idea to have tracking checked after replacememt

[BrianH]

Hi Big Dave :)

 

So am I right in thinking that this worn bush will make the whole front end of the car sound as though it is about to fall off when going over certain bumps in the road? Going to be a few days before parts are delivered but need to carry on using the car in the meantime, is the only thing to be worried about the dramatic noise? ie nothing should actually fall off??

 

Thanks ;)

If you get the wishbone knocking against any part of the cars chassis it will make a racket as it will be amplified, As Dave says drop links make enough noise when they are shot, the amount of movement you have there its no wonder its making noise. But maybe you now don't need to change the strut you mentioned a few days ago, so probabbly good news.

 

Be prepared for the track rod end not wanting to come off easily - When i had to take mine off to remove driveshafts for the clutch i had to cut it off as it wasn't behaving itself!

[sparky Paul]

You shouldn't need to touch the track rod end.

 

I replaced all the bushes in mine with genuine bushes, I didn't fancy doing it again for a while - it was a lot easier than expected. Undo the bottom ball joint nut, bar the wishbone down and whilst applying downward pressure give the side of the taper a couple of good whacks with a hammer to split the ball joint from the wishbone. Undo the (very tight) bolts into the subframe, and remove the wishbone. If you are simply replacing with new wishbones, reassemble, but leave the final torquing up of the subframe bolts until the car is back on it's wheels.

 

If you are renewing the bushes in the old wishbones, a hydraulic or fly press with various bit of sockets and spacers is useful, but it can be done with a good sized bench vice. Make sure you mark the position of the rear bush on the wishbone and press the new ones on in exactly the same orientation. Take particular care pressing the rear bush in as the casings are soft white metal and are easily damaged or deformed. Press or burn the old front bush out and pull the new one in with a length of threaded bar, a couple of suitable sockets and a bit of fairy liquid for lube.

[sparky Paul]

By the way, before doing any of this, make sure the car is well secured on axle stand/s, as the job does require a bit of welly undoing some of the nuts & bolts.

[xavier]

Have you replaced the droplinks? Assuming you have, I replaced the wishbones in mine when I had to do the ball joint, I could not get the ball joint to split or come out of the wishbone so replaced balljoint and wishbone. I'd suggest doing the same. But only after doing the drop links, because they make a racket when they're gone.

 

Also haynes say to tighten up the ball joint when the car is on the ground, there's not a lot of clearance to say the least!

[sparky Paul]

Also haynes say to tighten up the ball joint when the car is on the ground, there's not a lot of clearance to say the least!

 

I've never bothered doing that, so long as you take care to seat the taper correctly it should be okay to tighten the balljoint jacked up.

 

It's the bush pinch bolts where it is important that the full weight is on the suspension before doing the final tightening.