Suspension Bushes

[The Aardvark]

Afternoon All

Was hoping for a quick bit of advice. Currently running a 1999 4.0 Chimaera, and had noticed a slight knocking / creaking from the passenger front wheel.
Had a 6000 mile service last week where front shocks were replaced as old ones were a bit worn. Specialist said that he thought it made a difference, but if the noise continued then possible cause could be the suspension bushes, and a bit more of a stripdown could be required.

In yesterdays warm weather, noise was definitely still there (even moving off slowly from stationary in traffic), and in my (limited) opinion, everything else such as brakes and steering seem ok (am also presuming that brakes would have been checked at service, but I’m sure that the pads and discs were replaced at Fernhurst before I had the car in Feb 2007).

So my questions are these –
- From my description, does suspension bushes seem like a possible cause?
- Anyone have any knowledge of this job being done on their car? Was it expensive?
- Is it definitely a ‘Specialist’ repair, or could a good mechanic with decent knowledge undertake the job?
- Any idea how long it may take?
- Is there any danger from continuing to drive the car (as I presume the car wouldnt have been released from Service if it was dangerous)?

Any help gratefully received.

[V8 Animal]

The Aardvark said:

Afternoon All

Was hoping for a quick bit of advice. Currently running a 1999 4.0 Chimaera, and had noticed a slight knocking / creaking from the passenger front wheel.
Had a 6000 mile service last week where front shocks were replaced as old ones were a bit worn. Specialist said that he thought it made a difference, but if the noise continued then possible cause could be the suspension bushes, and a bit more of a stripdown could be required.

In yesterdays warm weather, noise was definitely still there (even moving off slowly from stationary in traffic), and in my (limited) opinion, everything else such as brakes and steering seem ok (am also presuming that brakes would have been checked at service, but I’m sure that the pads and discs were replaced at Fernhurst before I had the car in Feb 2007).

So my questions are these –
- From my description, does suspension bushes seem like a possible cause?
- Anyone have any knowledge of this job being done on their car? Was it expensive?
- Is it definitely a ‘Specialist’ repair, or could a good mechanic with decent knowledge undertake the job?
- Any idea how long it may take?
- Is there any danger from continuing to drive the car (as I presume the car wouldnt have been released from Service if it was dangerous)?

Any help gratefully received
.

1 could well be a dry bush or it could be a wheel bearing on the way out but im surprised your mechanic can't help.Spray wd over the bushes that should stop it for a while to try to find the problem.
2 done all my bushes myself so cost of parts only.
3 as said a diy job with a toolkit stands and a jack free advice here.
4 depends on who does it a garage 2 hours you it does'nt matter.
5 no just annoying if it's the bush.
V8 Animal

[The Aardvark]

V8 Animal said:

The Aardvark said:

Afternoon All

Was hoping for a quick bit of advice. Currently running a 1999 4.0 Chimaera, and had noticed a slight knocking / creaking from the passenger front wheel.
Had a 6000 mile service last week where front shocks were replaced as old ones were a bit worn. Specialist said that he thought it made a difference, but if the noise continued then possible cause could be the suspension bushes, and a bit more of a stripdown could be required.

In yesterdays warm weather, noise was definitely still there (even moving off slowly from stationary in traffic), and in my (limited) opinion, everything else such as brakes and steering seem ok (am also presuming that brakes would have been checked at service, but I’m sure that the pads and discs were replaced at Fernhurst before I had the car in Feb 2007).

So my questions are these –
- From my description, does suspension bushes seem like a possible cause?
- Anyone have any knowledge of this job being done on their car? Was it expensive?
- Is it definitely a ‘Specialist’ repair, or could a good mechanic with decent knowledge undertake the job?
- Any idea how long it may take?
- Is there any danger from continuing to drive the car (as I presume the car wouldnt have been released from Service if it was dangerous)?

Any help gratefully received
.

1 could well be a dry bush or it could be a wheel bearing on the way out but im surprised your mechanic can't help.Spray wd over the bushes that should stop it for a while to try to find the problem.
2 done all my bushes myself so cost of parts only.
3 as said a diy job with a toolkit stands and a jack free advice here.
4 depends on who does it a garage 2 hours you it does'nt matter.
5 no just annoying if it's the bush.
V8 Animal

Thanks for the advice. Think that to be honest Mechanic was looking for obvious answer first (shocks were knackered and a bit loose apparently), before going for a bit more detail and costing more money. He's also a one man independent so tends to book up to 3-4 weeks in advance. Think that I'm also just a bit over sensitive to the odd TVR noises that you hear.
Hopefully not a wheel bearing, but as I said think that most obvious points would have been checked on the service.
Think I'll take the advice and try a good soaking of WD at the weekend. Failing that, its another trip back to be checked out........

[HRG]

Wheel bearings are cheap as chips to replace TBH though a wheel bearing will usually rumble or knock, not creak. Probably worth waiting till winter and doing the lot with poly bushes if there's no play in it at the moment.