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[amba]

I had hoped that the slight knocking I getfrom front o/s when going over bumps at slow speed would have been cured by me replacing both front drop links last week with new GM part.
No such luck as noise is still there move evident at slow speed and bumpy road(we have lots of them here !!).
No strange movement from steering at any speed and all else seems normal.
I do have a set of lemforder wishbones which I have had for a while as came up cheap,but before I get into replacing them as knock on cost of alignment aswell and £££,s tight at moment,any thing else that could be problem.?
How do you carry out a conclusive check on wishbones to test their condition?

[johny5]

is it a knock that sounds like ur engines about to fall out? really loud.

[amba]

More of a light metalic noise/knock..not a heavy thud/..wanted to be sure best way to check condition of wishbones and their bushes as MOT only seems to put a prise bar in and thats it..does that really test thier condition ??
No broken spring and shocks return car to level when pressed hard on wing after 1 compression.
What noise would I be getting if front arb bushes were on thier way out and is this possible to detect by visual inspection ?

[Kevin Wood]

Anti-roll bar bushes might be worth a look although they don't seem to be regular failure items.

To check the wishbone bushes, pry the front bushes left and right with a bar. There should be movement in them but they should still be "springy". If they slop around they are knackered. A bit of a subjective test but if they are knocking I'd suggest they'll be pretty sloppy.

The rear front wishbone bushes should be pretty firm. If you can detect any sloppiness in them they are certainly shot, I'd say.

Also look for signs that the rubber is delaminating from the bush inner and outer sleeves or cracking.

Worth also checking the ball joint and track rod ends for play, and giving the upper half of the strut a good wiggle.

Kevin

[henryd]

have a look at the steering idler on the n/s of the car,see if there is any rock in its bush as this can give the metallic knock you describe

[Weds]

I had hoped that the slight knocking I getfrom front o/s when going over bumps at slow speed would have been cured by me replacing both front drop links last week with new GM part.
No such luck as noise is still there move evident at slow speed and bumpy road(we have lots of them here !!).
No strange movement from steering at any speed and all else seems normal.
I do have a set of lemforder wishbones which I have had for a while as came up cheap,but before I get into replacing them as knock on cost of alignment aswell and £££,s tight at moment,any thing else that could be problem.?
How do you carry out a conclusive check on wishbones to test their condition?

Strange because I've recently changed my drop links for the same reason and still have a very slight knocking sound when driving very slowly (when creeping up to traffic lights)

And I drive over the same roads as you :-)

[amba]

Thanks for pointers,guys....Weds..perhaps we should lobby Medway council as it seems to have started since Christmas .

[shane1000]

you say not broken spring? have you peeled back the plastic coating on the very bottom few inches of spring? i had same knocking a while back.. turned out to bottom of spring (the tapered part about 1" from end) broken off but plastic kept it in place. took me ages to find.

[amba]

Shane1000,thanks for "heads-up" on the possible issues with the  springs.I will have a really good look with the inspection lamp early next week when I get around to replacing the front pads..worth doing both while wheels are off.
Must say the noise doesnt sound too heavy so could be worn bush on arb but might just do the lot while I am at it as suspect they are all original circa 1998 and 160k miles young so can,t hurt.
Any advise on best option for arb bushes or genuine GM ?  if they are not second world debt !!

[smegheadsteve]

I have just changed o/s wishbone and since doing so there is a rumbling noise when travelling on a slightly bumpy road.Doesnt happen on a smooth surface.
It didnt do this before!
Better check for a broken spring as someone has mentioned,and ball joints.
I was pretty rough with the strut while I was trying to get wishbone ball joint in!
So your knocking noise might not be the wishbone,unless my new wishbone is buggered!

[feeutfo]

I have just changed o/s wishbone and since doing so there is a rumbling noise when travelling on a slightly bumpy road.Doesnt happen on a smooth surface.
It didnt do this before!
Better check for a broken spring as someone has mentioned,and ball joints.
I was pretty rough with the strut while I was trying to get wishbone ball joint in!
So your knocking noise might not be the wishbone,unless my new wishbone is buggered!

What make wishbone was fitted?

[amba]

Really strange thing is that since I fitted new front brake pads yesterday,the noise seems to have gone ..well didn,t hear it on usual journey,but can,t see hope new pads would cure the noise I had.
Took advise from KW and ChrisG and gave all the joints a really good pull and prise with bar while wheels off..checked all joints and even gave the entire suspension and track road arms assembly  a total clean with with water and then wiped over with a very lightly oiled rag..no evidence of damage to springs or any perished rubbers.
I am now almost thinking it might have been a loose wheel nut but I always torque them up to 100nm and didnt feel any noticeably loose.
Will see what todays drive brings and may report back if issues remain.

[johny5]

check the old pads and see if the spring clips are all there and complete.

I had a rattle before and discovered both spring clips broken on one side. Changed the pads and noise went!

[smegheadsteve]

What make wishbone was fitted?[/quote]

Not sure on the make,they were from vauxcentre.co.uk.