Identifying Suspension Knocks on an FL1

I've been embarking on a programme of replacing various tired parts of my TD4 FL1 suspension to cure various knocks, rattles and other noises, but I could now do with a bit of advice.

In recent weeks I've been experiencing a reasonably clear and firm knock, seemingly coming from the off side front of the car, particularly over bumps that give a bit of lateral movement of the vehicle. It sounds like a very typical worn ball joint noise, and can be felt in the foot well. I changed both front wishbones (delphi) and bushes last week, along with a strut mount, expecting the knock to have gone but it is still there. Loads of other noises have gone though so not all bad.

I changed drop links and ARB bushes (Delphi and genuine LR respectively) a few months ago, and have had a look at the ARB this week. It appears to be central and as far as I can tell all seems to be well there.

I was wondering where else I should be looking? A friend of mine had a car that had an issue with a front hub ball joint hole going oval and causing a similar knock and wondered if this was a possible/likely cause on the FL hub? I'm also wondering if it could be engine mounts. This seems less likely though as the knock does feel low down on the o/s front. The steering feels tight with no play that I can detect, but are track rods also something that could be the culprit?

Any thoughts on investigatory action/probable causes are welcome

I hate knocks, as the buggers are so difficult to find. Was this knock there before the wishbones and bushes were done?

Nodge68 said:

I hate knocks, as the buggers are so difficult to find. Was this knock there before the wishbones and bushes were done?

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Yeah, it was. All the other errant noises are gone but this reasonably firm and clear knock remains. I genuinely thought it was a ball joint, which is why I was hopeful that wishbones would cure it. Most annoying.

Just a thought. Have you checked the door hinges for slop or wear? I've had worn hinges make a knock over bumps in the past.

Nodge68 said:

Just a thought. Have you checked the door hinges for slop or wear? I've had worn hinges make a knock over bumps in the past.

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Having checked this eve (just to be sure) there is a very minor bit of play in the drivers door, but it's negligible and I'm 98% certain that the doors are not the cause of the noise - mainly because it's to firm and can be felt in the footwell such that it must be low down and forward of the doors. Any thoughts on wear to the ball joint spindle hole on the hub? Is that a possibility on the FL hub? I suspect not though as it's not a pinch bolt type.

kernowsvenski said:

but it's negligible and I'm 98% certain that the doors are not the cause of the noise - mainly because it's to firm and can be felt in the footwell

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That's normal for a failed large bush, which of course yours now doesn't have.

kernowsvenski said:

Any thoughts on wear to the ball joint spindle hole on the hub? Is that a possibility on the FL hub?

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Very difficult on a Freelander. It uses a taper on the ball joint, which grips tight into the matching taper on the hub, the moment the nut is tightened. Some vehicles use a parallel ball joint pin, which is the most likely to suffer loosening of the pin, or wear of the hole.

Nodge68 said:

That's normal for a failed large bush, which of course yours now doesn't have.

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Indeed.

Nodge68 said:

Very difficult on a Freelander. It uses a taper on the ball joint, which grips tight into the matching taper on the hub, the moment the nut is tightened. Some vehicles use a parallel ball joint pin, which is the most likely to suffer loosening of the pin, or wear of the hole.

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That was my thoughts, but thought I'd ask just in case.

I'm now wondering about sub frame fastenings or engine mounts. It's not likely to be a Delphi drop link after less than a year I guess?

Lower engine tie bar?

kernowsvenski said:

I'm now wondering about sub frame fastenings or engine mounts. I

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Possibly.

kernowsvenski said:

It's not likely to be a Delphi drop link after less than a year I guess?

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Doubtful, although I think the quality of OE parts, isn't what it was in the past. It's easy to eliminate the whole ARB, simply by unbolting the drop links at the strut, and tying them out the way. Take it for a drive and see what's changed. If nothing, the the ARB assembly can be eliminated.

htr said:

Lower engine tie bar?

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I'll check that out at the weekend i think

Nodge68 said:

unbolting the drop links at the strut, and tying them out the way. Take it for a drive and see what's changed. If nothing, the the ARB assembly can be eliminated.

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That's the next job then.

Sometimes you can find a knock by pushing stuff around with your hand. The car needs to be on its wheels for some things like drive shafts or ARB's to show. Other things like bearings need the car off the ground.

So I've decided to resurrect my thread. I've been having a very thorough search for my occasional but firm knocking from the front when driving over speed bumps, drain covers or other undulations. I can't seem to find anything amiss. New wishbones and bushes. ARB bushes and drop links are fine. Steering rack and track rod ends are good. Exhaust is all secure. Engine mounts etc are all okay. Subframe is secure.

I'm really struggling with this now so the latest remedy has been the trusty "just turn the radio up" method. That has worked fairly well as it masks the sound, but I can still feel the knocks. I'm now starting to wonder if the front shocks could be the issue. Does anyone know if front shocks can wear in such a way that they can cause a symptom like this?

kernowsvenski said:

So I've decided to resurrect my thread. I've been having a very thorough search for my occasional but firm knocking from the front when driving over speed bumps, drain covers or other undulations. I can't seem to find anything amiss. New wishbones and bushes. ARB bushes and drop links are fine. Steering rack and track rod ends are good. Exhaust is all secure. Engine mounts etc are all okay. Subframe is secure.

I'm really struggling with this now so the latest remedy has been the trusty "just turn the radio up" method. That has worked fairly well as it masks the sound, but I can still feel the knocks. I'm now starting to wonder if the front shocks could be the issue. Does anyone know if front shocks can wear in such a way that they can cause a symptom like this?

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Yes, I had this problem and chased it for ages. If I recall it seemed worst when the wheel suddenly dropped rather than when hitting a bump but it was a while ago. A used shock from a scrappy sorted it for me.

kernowsvenski said:

I'm now starting to wonder if the front shocks could be the issue. Does anyone know if front shocks can wear in such a way that they can cause a symptom like this?

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It wasn't unheard of for the shocks to knock on the MG ZS. Those were made by Delhi, which is the same make as the FL1 shocks.

Mine also has a knock, most noticeable over sharp dips or bumps, like when the top layer of tarmac has come away. Mine has a creaky sound too, which hides the knock some what.

Nodge68 said:

Mine also has a knock, most noticeable over sharp dips or bumps, like when the top layer of tarmac has come away. Mine has a creaky sound too, which hides the knock some what.

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I've not got the creaky sound but the rest of the description sounds similar. However, @Alibro 's post below seems identical to what is going on with mine.

Alibro said:

If I recall it seemed worst when the wheel suddenly dropped rather than when hitting a bump.

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New shocks to be added to the list methinks

kernowsvenski said:

I've not got the creaky sound but the rest of the description sounds similar. However, @Alibro 's post below seems identical to what is going on with mine.



New shocks to be added to the list methinks

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It could be the shocks, or maybe the top mount bearing?

A 'strut mount' has been changed, dunno if that means a top mount or both?? Mine had a knock that went when I tightened the top allen key and nut on the strut top mount.

kernowsvenski said:

New shocks to be added to the list methinks

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If I was 100% sure I'm keeping mine, then I'd like to fit new shocks all round. Mine are well past there best at 130K miles.

My TD4 is 170k just on. Original shocks. Next on list to do. I'm going to put V6 on the road and then do my TD4 suspension and brakes, fuel tank carrier etc for a mid life refurb.