Rumbling noise from front driving me crazy! help?? SOLVED

Good evening to everyone, I have previously introduced myself but for those who didnt see then hello everyone! Tom here from Mid Devon. Im falling on my knees for some advice as im getting ot the end of my tether with a non stop rumbling noise from the front n/s, Recently replaced the track rod end and entire wishbone with new bushes, shock absorber has been checked as has the spring and have been told they are fine but when your driving you keep hearing this rumbling noise from the front near side over small bumps in the road, not over large ones or potholes or even speed bumps but its loud and its always there over small bumps. I do know that the rear diff bushes need replacing and im planning on doing this soon but the noise is persistant from the front left. Prop has been removed so its not that. Any ideas of what it could be please anyone? To be honest its driving me mad. Thank you to everyone in advance for any assitance.

Will also add ive just been out and checked the drop links and they are both solid so i dont think its them either.

Evening !
Wheel bearing ?? Presume the knocking has stopped now you've done the joints ?
Could also be drive shaft.
Check for free play in the bearing and the shaft joint.

Thank you Andy.

no the knocking noise did get better after I had replaced the parts but now seems to be back again, going to check all the new parts tomorrow to see if they have somehow failed already, I’ll check the drive shaft while I’m there. By the way, I found the source of that strange noise from the rear I told you about the other day when you steer side to side, turns out the reversing light bulb holder had come out and was swinging around inside the car!

Drop links can feel tight but make a noise. Been there !

Simple way to eliminate is to remove them and go out for steady drive.
Interesting that it went away, you must be close to problem.

Do i take both off or just one at a time and try it out? The noise was much more quiet after changing the track rod end and the wishbone but now its come back again over the past few days, it sounds like a bush has gone again.

You could just take off the faulty side to try it.

Drive it carefully as it will roll slightly more on one side.

Would also have said the drop link. Since it first started in 2017 changing every year, but as @andyfreelandy mentioned on another thread some days ago I ordered one from Meyle HD, hope that'll help.
When you changed the wishbone, did you also change that one RBX101780 as well? It's not really front left, but I think on mine it's cracking on the driver side again.

mbrokof said:

RBX101780

Click to expand...

Hi, thanks for your help, yes we changed the bush for a brand new one at the same time, now considering if its not the o/s/f causing the problem. Been out and had a look but need to get the wheel off and investigate further i think before replacing random parts that we "suspect" is the cause of the noise.

just ordered a new drop link from my local supplier, will get that fitted this afternoon and report back later.

New drop link fitted, problem noise still remains.
So that’s new wishbone with bush
New track rod end
New drop link

what’s next to change? Lol

thank you everyone.

Have to listen to it !

Rumble is bearing, knock is usually a joint. As you have done them all then ears could be deceiving you about which side.
Strut top bearing is a possibility too. Put hand on top and bounce.

Ok yes, it’s a knocking noise but a dull one. The steering wheel does shake a little when you go over a pot hole or bump. Is that a clue to what it could be? I’m very determined to figure this out! Almost tempted to just change everything on the other side too just to rule that out and it’s probably overdue anyway as none of it looks too healthy upon inspection.

Just thought about the ARB on my one. Those were changed as well? On mine the coating of the anti-roll-bar is gone therefore they don't last very long.

Well I’ve changed the drop links on both sides now and no improvement, but it’s now developed another problem where it refuses to start now, so I think it’s battery issue so I’ve got a charger coming today so I can charge it up and try again, that along with the window issues, door lock issues, various knocking noises, failed bushes, failed vcu etc, well, got to say I’m tempted to just get rid at the moment. The car passed its mot in November so I can’t see how it’s developed so many issues in less than 12 weeks. The only advisory was one bush. I’ll keep ploughing on with it for now but I’m just getting a bit bored of “now this has gone wrong with it”

I know what you mean. My one is '02 auto. Havin' the same on the fuel con side. You're one is 19 y.o. so needs a bit of maintenance. My theory behind is that once you start on one side you'll end up on the other as always the weakest link breaks. That video came up on my YT yesterday. I think you were through it all already.

Thank you, I’ll have a look tonight. I’ve sorted the battery issue so at least she starts now. Still got a list to work though thought of problems. Thanks for your help, it’s very appreciated.

You're welcome. Getting there.

So we spent a happy hour on Tom's F1. See above.
No play in any joint. Rack bolted up OK. No noise from wheel bearings. Track rod, drop links and bottom wishbones either replaced or OK.
Only thing was anti roll bar not central and signs of touching strut, but on other side to noise !!
Some play on rack bit not excessive, compared it to my car.
So, rumbles and when you hit a bump it torque steers. No VCU fitted which might explain the torque steer as the wheel skips the pot hole.
Worth refitting new VCU and sorting anti roll bar but this has got me guessing. At least we know nothing is about to drop off.

Over to the forum !!?!?!?!

Thank you Andy,

So i was on a 3 hour drive yesterday and it was getting worrying, when you hit a larger bump the noise continued to make a flapping type noise sometimes for about 1/2 a second after and it was getting hard to control the steering at points, it was a road with many bumps and a few pot holes though. On the motorway she was lovely and smooth to drive but as soon as your off smooth tarmac the noise and shaking starts and i loose confidence in the car, o/s is fine, no noise there at all but evidentally something is very wrong with the f/n/s that cant be seen by inspection alone.

Help me obi forum kenobi, your my only hope...