Knock and squeak, ARB bushes likely culprit?

[Burny16v]

Hi guys,

I've had my 2011 Fiesta Zetec S TDCi for a few weeks, and the whole time it's had a hollow 'knocking' and a squeak from the nearside front suspension. I gave things a rudimentary push/pull and visual inspection when I re-affixed the loose arch liner, which revealed nothing. I booked it into my local Ford specialist (who other people have used and trust), and they can't find any obvious play in anything either. However, they have said there's a 'service bulletin' for uprated anti-roll bar bushes. They seem to think this will only cure the squeak, and the knock is a separate issue, which could be a failure inside the shock unit, something only evident through taking it off and inspecting. From searching on here (and the wider internet), it seems pretty common that an ARB bush causes a knocking noise, though. Also, it's been doing it constantly since I've owned it, but the first time I drive it in the freezing cold to take it to the garage this morning, it stops - the squeak continued a little though. Does this help pinpoint it at all? Extra info is it seems worse at low speed, and the ground doesn't have to be particularly rough to set it off.

So, are both noises likely to be symptoms of the bushes, or do we have any other thoughts? I know it's in the garage at the moment, but I'd like to be as prepared as possible for it to either need further inspection, or possibly be fixed! Thanks very much.

[SEE YA]

Try this trick WD40 one at time see if it stop's.

If it returns found the problem?

[stevieturbo]

It's possible, so just change the bushes ?

[Dave Brand]

SEE YA said:

Try this trick WD40 one at time see if it stop's.

Good advice - if the rubber bushes weren't knackered before they probably will be after spraying them with WD40!

[SEE YA]

Dave Brand said:

SEE YA said:

Try this trick WD40 one at time see if it stop's.

Good advice - if the rubber bushes weren't knackered before they probably will be after spraying them with WD40!

That would be a first.

[Burny16v]

Hi all, just to 'close out' this thread, changing the anti-roll bar bushes cured the squeak, however the knocking was tracked down to a loose shock absorber. The prevailing theory is whoever fitted the lowering springs had neglected to properly tighten it all back up again afterwards. Sadly it had been rattling about so long the thread on the top of the shock was damaged, as was the top mount.

[SEE YA]

Good news not expensive fix bonus.

[phumy]

Dave Brand said:

SEE YA said:

Try this trick WD40 one at time see if it stop's.

Good advice - if the rubber bushes weren't knackered before they probably will be after spraying them with WD40!

WD40 is a water repellant isn't it, no worse than all the salty crap on the roads.

[SEE YA]

phumy said:

Dave Brand said:

SEE YA said:

Try this trick WD40 one at time see if it stop's.

Good advice - if the rubber bushes weren't knackered before they probably will be after spraying them with WD40!

WD40 is a water repellant isn't it, no worse than all the salty crap on the roads.

Yes we know that others however do not it seems.