A bush problem maybe?
Discussion
Similar to the problem I had previous with the anti-roll bar bushes on the nearside; I now seem to be getting similar horrible sounds coming from the front central part of the car. With the anti-roll bar bush problem I used to get a clonking sound when turning into a corner. The noise I get now occurs when starting off, slowing down or accelerating away. Would this reflect a change in the compliance or wishbone bushes being required? Or is this a more serious problem?
The noise can be re-created by jacking the car up from the front but I can't work out where the problem actually is.
>>> Edited by Dave350iTVR on Tuesday 9th April 09:02
The noise can be re-created by jacking the car up from the front but I can't work out where the problem actually is.
>>> Edited by Dave350iTVR on Tuesday 9th April 09:02
I have had a good look under the car this evening aided with the wedge bible and comments from the guys here. The tie rod or leading link has about 5mm left on the chassis mounting bushes, I take it that is why i'm getting these horrible sounds when I drive along? I had the anti-roll bar and drop link bushes replaced a couple of months back.
The only thing that bothers me now is the castor angles issue, as mentioned by yourself and Dave (mytvr). What the hell is that all about and how do you get it checked? I hope I'm not barking up the wrong tree with these compliance bushes. Although Richard Thorpe seemed convinced from my description of the problem that this was a compliance bush problem.
>> Edited by Dave350iTVR on Tuesday 9th April 22:22
>> Edited by Dave350iTVR on Tuesday 9th April 22:22
As much as it would be a sense of achievement to fix it myself, I might be better off just taking Tamsin to Wedge and being done with it! At least a professional will get the job right first time, also do the castor geometry alignment and ensure nothing else has been missed. For the 1 & 1/2 hr journey it takes to get to Sheffield, it might be my best option. Considering the extra cost involved in paying for delivery of the parts and the ford garage after check cost. Just feels like I'm whimping out!
I think I might have found the possible cause of the problem. The drop link between the anti-roll bar and the leading link on the nearside seems to be angled in the wrong direction. I.e. instead of looking at it going from left to right (front bottom to top viewing) it is going right to left. This means the washer and spring nut on the top of the drop link are freely moving and are playing no active role. The offside is set correctly and surprise surprise has not caused any problems. Unfortunately moving the drop link back across to the correct side seems more difficult than said! I am sure this is the root of my problems, as the compliance bushes don’t actually seem excessively worn.
Well after taking the car to Wedge Auto it turns out the problem was \ is with the anti-roll bar. A new anti-roll bar bracket was required which has helped to reduce the disturbing under car noises. The problem is the drop link keeps moving across to the wrong side of the anti-roll bar. I'm getting a squeaking noise now - not so sinister as the previous but still annoying. I have knocked the drop link back into place but it tends to slip out of place when driven. Any ideas?
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