L322 front suspension "creak"

Hi all.

Just thought I'd ask your opinions prior to chucking more ££ at the RR.

2002 TD6, no issues /creaks/ Knocks etc up until recently leaking front strut, so recently replaced:

Both front strut assm (with Dunlops)
2 x ARB drop links (moog)
2 x lower track arms (Britpart) as bushes were completely shot and replaced both the ball joints in the process (moog)

Had a major Hoohar in the process, so suspension arm had to come off at the bush end, track rod end removed from hub, whole hub assm with drive shaft was removed to renew the lower track arm ball joints.

Since changing the parts, there is now a noticeable 'creak'ing noise and very slight light 'knock' at low speeds on slightly uneven surfaces from the front end.

I'm thinking either it's dodgy front Dunlop struts, the lower track arm or susp arm not having been tightened up in the correct procedure at the bush end, torqued them up with no weight on them, then a further 90 degrees with weight on them, however I have read elsewhere they should be tightened up from scratch with full weight of car on them? a dodgy pair of moog ARB drop links or the suspension arms are now shot. The susp arms seem a little coincidental as the noise wasn't there prior to replacing the other parts.

Just to add, passed MOT fine, no advisories on bushes etc.

Thoughts please?

you just nip up the bolts for the bottom arms then refit wheels,lower full weight of car on the ground then fully tighten

wil2813 said:

you just nip up the bolts for the bottom arms then refit wheels,lower full weight of car on the ground then fully tighten

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Thanks for reply Wil,

Ok will loosen them up and re-tighten in the week.
If not tightened up in the correct manor, do you think this could cause the bushes to 'creak' and cause slight knocking noise?

yes rob

Thanks Wil. I will give it a go and let you know.
Cheers.

UPDATE:

Right, took the lower track arms and suspension arms off and re-torqued them up the proper way (with weight of vehicle on them + 90 degrees.)
Took it for a spin, still the same, same little rattley/ creaky noise at low speed.
Took front ARB drop links off and took it for a run to establish if it's anything to do with ARB links/bushes etc. Noise still there.
SO, then jacked up the whole front end to get a good look at everything.
The lower track arms were replaced with Britpart arms when I replaced the front strut assm.
However, there seems to be a lot of play in them IMO.
Here's the link;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8zZiAwH3qM&feature=youtu.be

What do you guys think??
they are only a month old / 500 miles on.
Many Thanks in advance

**** part and you expect more than 500 miles, how unreasonable of you.

Datatek said:

**** part and you expect more than 500 miles, how unreasonable of you.

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Keith, TBH I was umm'ing and arr'ing whether to spend the extra and get the Delphi's. However, with a view I wouldn't been keeping the motor long term decided to go with the cheaper option.

But that may have proved a big mistake as well as being a pain in the backside, more the time and effort aspect involved as a posed to just paying the extra £35 outright in the first place
:crazy:

robhew86 said:

Keith, TBH I was umm'ing and arr'ing whether to spend the extra and get the Delphi's. However, with a view I wouldn't been keeping the motor long term decided to go with the cheaper option.

But that may have proved a big mistake as well as being a pain in the backside, more the time and effort aspect involved as a posed to just paying the extra £35 outright in the first place
:crazy:

Click to expand...

It does seem that anything that moves from ****part fails, I bought all new hoses and they came marked Britpart, they looked OK and were thicker than the originals so I live in hopes they don't fail.
Pretty hard to have to do the job again, contact Britpart and see what the have to say, at least you should get a refund. Good luck

It is said if it moves, seals or rotates steer clear of Britpart!!

Hoses aint too bad mind, but check measurements first before fitting!

once fitted incorrectly & drove on they are known to fail almost instantly as they are over stressed sadly pretty much like anything incorrectly fitted I guess but luckily they are cheap to replace.take it back with receipt & complain you might get lucky

Cheers guys

Full suspension rebuild on mine using **** part
2 years on / 25k miles no issues

It aint all bad

Any experiences of allmakes bushes on the L322?

UPDATE:

Today fitted new suspension arms with ball joints and lower track arms both sides.

Still making the annoying little rattle and low speed on uneven surfaces.
I'm thinking it has to be the new front Dunlop strut assm?
I'm at a loose end now, Any other ideas please??? Anyone else had issues with front Dunlop strut assm?
Cheers

robhew86 said:

UPDATE:

Today fitted new suspension arms with ball joints and lower track arms both sides.

Still making the annoying little rattle and low speed on uneven surfaces.
I'm thinking it has to be the new front Dunlop strut assm?
I'm at a loose end now, Any other ideas please??? Anyone else had issues with front Dunlop strut assm?
Cheers

Click to expand...

Heat shields loose?

Datatek said:

Heat shields loose?

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That was another issue I had! But definitely not that. Not that sort of noise. I can just about feel the knock/rattle through the floor.

robhew86 said:

That was another issue I had! But definitely not that. Not that sort of noise. I can just about feel the knock/rattle through the floor.

Click to expand...

OK, it just sounded like the problem my mate just had and that was one part of the heat shields knocking.

robhew86 said:

Any experiences of allmakes bushes on the L322?

Click to expand...

Allmakes was the brand of the thermostat that was supplied to me, it's also the one that is going back.

Another update;

Put the suspension in off road height to take it for a spin see if it still made the noise, and the front of the car lifted very rapidly and I could hear the same noise/ rattle in the process....so surely it must be the front strut assm ??? Is there any way of checking/testing them? Tried pushing down on the front end of the RR but not making any noises.

Cheers Chaps