Suspension knocking noise on front near side.

[Markvh]

As title really.
A slight knocking noise has appeared from the front near side. Had just a quick look tonight. While my wife bounced the front corner, I crawled under as best I could. I could easily 'feel' the knocking when I put my hand on the antiroll bar link. I could also 'feel' the knocking when I put my hand on the drag strut/radius rod or the anti roll bar, so am assuming a new antiroll bar link is required. Trouble is the links have only been on for 3000 miles at the most and I had new shock absorbers, springs, mounting blocks etc fitted last year. So am surprised that I may be needing a new antiroll bar link already.
Any ideas what else I should look at?
I also fitted new track control arms and ball joints last year and can't feel any movement/knocking there.
Going through the history file, it looks like the last time it had new antiroll bar rubbers and radius rod rubbers was back in 2000, about 20000 miles ago.
While I'm at it, would it be entirely sensible to remove the anti roll bar and drag struts and fit new mounting rubbers all round? If so should I use rubber or poly? Rubber is on at the moment. Would poly change the ride comfort noticeably?
Comfort is more important to me than handling.
Thanks. Mark

[new to this]

Mark

i would change to poly, as rubber parts don't seam to last long now days,and don't think your notice any difference on comfort,

dave

[Motorsport Micky]

Take the weight off the car with a jack under the crossmember and see if you use a pry bar or large (very) screwdriver under the centre of the tyre if when you lift the prybar there is any movement in the bottom TCA ball joint.

Micky

[davidf]

I spent years trying to trace a symptom like this; finally found it was the mounting rubbers of the anti-roll bar.

And i definitely recommend poly rather than rubber.

[Seaking]

anti roll bar mounting on the drag struts can break worth checking out

cheers Glenn

[Richard G]

As title really.
A slight knocking noise has appeared from the front near side. Had just a quick look tonight. While my wife bounced the front corner, I crawled under as best I could. I could easily 'feel' the knocking when I put my hand on the antiroll bar link. I could also 'feel' the knocking when I put my hand on the drag strut/radius rod or the anti roll bar, so am assuming a new antiroll bar link is required. Trouble is the links have only been on for 3000 miles at the most and I had new shock absorbers, springs, mounting blocks etc fitted last year. So am surprised that I may be needing a new antiroll bar link already.
Any ideas what else I should look at?
I also fitted new track control arms and ball joints last year and can't feel any movement/knocking there.
Going through the history file, it looks like the last time it had new antiroll bar rubbers and radius rod rubbers was back in 2000, about 20000 miles ago.
While I'm at it, would it be entirely sensible to remove the anti roll bar and drag struts and fit new mounting rubbers all round? If so should I use rubber or poly? Rubber is on at the moment. Would poly change the ride comfort noticeably?
Comfort is more important to me than handling.
Thanks. Mark

Take of front wheel and look at spring, it is very close to body halfway up and can knock . I fitted new springs last year, when fitted in strut there is a slight curve from top to bottom and if this if facing the back it will touch body. It mentions this in either the Haynes or Workshop manual. To sort, remove strut unit, compress spring, rotate half turn or so, refit. You can see the curve with a straight edge along length. Takes about 1 hour to do. My springs last coil at base starts at engine side.

[Markvh]

Thanks to all,

I will have a good look soon including the track control arm ball joint. I guess, as the antiroll bar links are only a couple of years old, I'll only need to fit new poly bushes.
I noticed on LDpart's site, that they don't recommend poly bushes for the drag strut to body connection as they may be too stiff and contribute to the drag strut it self breaking. Any thoughts?
Thanks again. Mark

[new to this]

Thanks to all,

I will have a good look soon including the track control arm ball joint. I guess, as the antiroll bar links are only a couple of years old, I'll only need to fit new poly bushes.
I noticed on LDpart's site, that they don't recommend poly bushes for the drag strut to body connection as they may be too stiff and contribute to the drag strut it self breaking. Any thoughts?
Thanks again. Mark

Mark

Not sure if this will help,but on my brothers car he had the yellow ploy bushes every where,he did have some rust issues,( don't know if it was down to using yellow ploy bushes, cant be sure) i had to repair one of the chassis legs where the drag strut comes in to the chassis,we have now changed the drag strut poly to the blue type,think there a bit softer,not noticed any difference on ride comfort

Dave

[Markvh]

Just an update in response to help and advice received, thanks. I have tightened up the anti roll bar links nuts and the anti roll bar u-bar mounting nuts and the knocking has now gone. No doubt it will return in time, but at least I know what it is and what I have to do.

[Gilespfr]

Hi Mark,
Your old post was very interesting! Unfortunately, I too have a knocking noise. It's clear this is coming from the anti roll bar link on the o/s which has snapped / corroded from the cross member, is this a weld job..? I have attached a photo - it would be great to hear, from your experience.

CheersAntiroll.link.jpg

[Markvh]

When you say 'cross member', do you mean the drag strut? If so, I reckon if it was mine, I'd buy a new drag strut and fit that.

[Seaking]

Hi Mark,
Your old post was very interesting! Unfortunately, I too have a knocking noise. It's clear this is coming from the anti roll bar link on the o/s which has snapped / corroded from the cross member, is this a weld job..? I have attached a photo - it would be great to hear, from your experience.

Cheers[ATTACH=CONFIG]40381[/ATTACH]

Yes it can be welded

Cheers Glenn

[Markvh]

There you go Gilespfr.

[greystag]

there is a better type of anti roll bar link from wards, works great on mine.
Regards Terry