droplinks not the prob?

ive been hearing knocking noises coming from the n/s front wheel when going round roundabouts and speed bumps.

replaced the drop link (just the one knocking on that side for now) however, the new drop link was exactly the same as the old one exept it was about 5-6mm longer. I got it on no probs though. but its still knocking.

Could it either be that because the droplink was longer it has already failed when i went for a test drive. or that its not the drop link, could it be something like anti roll bar bushes?

NOTE: on the old droplink, the bottom ball didnt stay iin place when moving it about (so i take it that it IS knackered) but i dont get why itrs still knocking.

appriciate any help.

garrytd4 said:

ive been hearing knocking noises coming from the n/s front wheel when going round roundabouts and speed bumps.

replaced the drop link (just the one knocking on that side for now) however, the new drop link was exactly the same as the old one exept it was about 5-6mm longer. I got it on no probs though. but its still knocking.

Could it either be that because the droplink was longer it has already failed when i went for a test drive. or that its not the drop link, could it be something like anti roll bar bushes?

NOTE: on the old droplink, the bottom ball didnt stay iin place when moving it about (so i take it that it IS knackered) but i dont get why itrs still knocking.

appriciate any help.

Click to expand...

it could be your wishbone rubbers usually it is the big one at the back but inspect them all (3) hope this helps

would it be easier to replace the whole wishbone, i heard replacing bushes on them is hassle? eg special tools required?

Replacement wishbones tend to come with the front bush and hub ball joint attached (at least, mine did - Allmakes 4x4 ones). The rear bushes (the big ones) are in their own separate housing, held on with two bolts. You'll also have to remove the through bolt, but, if you are doing the wishbone, it'll be apart anyway.

The big bushes are indeed bastards to do without a press, BUT you can do it: very patiently drill the old ones out and you can then press the new ones in using a big vice and some brute force. You'll probably have to make up some wooden packers to a) protect the metal bush housing and new bush and b) get the whole ensemble in the right position to do the squeezing.

However.... I'd investigate the following first before condemning the wishbones: front anti roll bar bushes, which are pretty pathetic (replace with poly ones), or, as has been the case one mine, track rod end ball joints. All easy to replace.

Remember that if one drop link is knackered the other one will be too pretty soon, if it's not already. The knocking can travel through the suspension and it could just be the other link that needs doing.

Hope that helps.

nice reply Craig

cheers matey, i have just order rb bushes and tr ends. so i ill give them ago.

hi I agree with Craig I did replace mine compleat as it was acctually bent by a lorry sitting on my bonet and the car repairer M&M stoke said there was nothing wrong

any progress on the knocking garry.i have the same problem at the moment....

Have you had a look at the antiroll bar bushes?

I had the same problem with mine. Replaced the anti roll bar bushes fixed the problem and easy to do

hi there, well i have managed to do both drop links, still nocking, i have bought some anti roll bar bushes and will do them in the next few days, i will let you know what the result is.
Ive also bough track rod end ball joints but will do the buhes first.

watch this space.

Some other guys might know if its more common than i, but i have seen cases where the top strut mount can knock.

Also i dont know the age of your car, or the age of vehicle the modification was for..... but i think there was an issue at some point with the locator pegs on the front wishbone front mount. I think there was a locator peg or something you were meant to remove. This idea being a very long shot though

its a year 2000 145k miles

i'll the the ARB bushes first, if thats not the case i will try the track rod end ball joints and if its still not good i will try the wishbone. i hope it doesnt go as far as that tho

changed the anti roll bushes and noise still there.just ordered a set of drop links,,what size allen key do i need to change them.cheers guys

Not sure what Allen key size just pick a handful and try them. It will be a common size.

Not sure what Allen key size. Pick a handful and try them. It's a pretty common size. Nothing big or small. Let me know how you get on. I've done my droplinks but made no difference to knocking. Going todo rb bushes next just havnt

had time

Just changed my droplinks. Did the anti roll bar bushes last week, which didn't cure the problem, just changed the drop links and problem solved. The rattling that I put up with for the last three months has gone. Well chuffed with myself. I think the hex key required to stop the balls turning was 5mm. Be careful though as mine were pretty tight and one of the hex bolts split, requiring use of a hacksaw and a large hammer to get the thing off. Might be an idea to cover them in wd40 before hand to give you a fighting chance. If it hadn't been for that I think it would have only been a 30 min job.

Cheers

Hoppo

Well the droplinks I bought were about 8mm longer than the ones i took off. Do you think they woyld of failed the moment I fitted them? As some people are saying the cured problem and some not. Did anyone check the lengths of there old and new ones. And how did you get the new ones on. I had the jack up the wishbone. Am i going wrong somewhere

I think mine were slightly longer, not sure about 8mm though, the anti roll bar itself has some play in it when not connected to the drop links and you should be able to ease them into place. I don't think 8 mm will make any difference. It might make it easier to move the anti roll bar in to place, to compensate for the 8mm, if you remove both drop links at the same time.

cool. i havnt found the time to do my antiroll bar bushes, but im hoping that will cure the knocking.

I also have track rod end ball joints to fit.
As you have to pop the ball out when removing then unscrew the remaining part, how are you ment to get the new one on, when you have to break the old old one