Front suspension rattle Cerb 4.5

[Goodcall]

Hello all, first post and asking for some advise already! Have had a fairly bad rattle from the front nearside when cornering left on any slightly uneven surface. Took a detailed look today and gave it all on the MOT shaker hoist but found nothing? Its a 97 and was well cared for by former owner but the springs and shocks look tired? Any ideas would be great.

[tofts]

Only left? And on very mild undulating surfaces? I would suspect drop links or anti roll bar personally.

Of course, its a shot in the dark and often keyboard diagnoses are difficult.

[greenracing]

Agree, probably bottom drop link joint. Easy to undo retainer bolt and check.

[Goodcall]

Thanks you guys. Have had a good look at the drop link and all seems ok, nothing moving even with big lever bar. Will have another search this weekend.

[Gazzab]

The left cornering issues if not suspension can be (as I understand it) related to chassis ie engine mounted out of position slightly or not enough oil ie oil not at max (albeit suspect this isn't the prob here!).

[Supateg]

Could it be non suspension related?

If you have aircon the dryer mount rots loose behind the headlight, bonnets rattle too (metallic sounding)
Battery?

[FarmyardPants]

If it's a loud graunching noise that occurs on cornering, it is probably the exhaust downpipe making contact with the chassis on the rhs where it goes between the chassis and the gearbox. Look for witness marks. You can realign it slightly by loosening the gearbox mounts and levering it over.

[FarmyardPants]

Alternatively if it's a knocking sound as if something is loose, it's probably the dampers.

[Goodcall]

Thanks again for the further suggestions to look into - looks like a busy day tomorrow, will let yall know.

[thefrog]

FarmyardPants said:

You can realign it slightly by loosening the gearbox mounts and levering it over.

-Should the box be more or less central or offset between the chassis rails ?
-When moving it side to side, would it make sense to undo the engine mounts to avoid putting stress on them (with exhaust clamps undone to avoid stress on the exhaust) ?

[ukkid35]

I had the same thing, front nearside rattle when cornering. Could not find anything loose, fortunately my MOT inspector found the cause - drivers side drop-link.

[Goodcall]

Thank you all for the posts. Noise now sorted, it was the exhaust touching the chassis. Now all my favorite left handers can be more enthusiastically taken!