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[feeutfo]

Ok re read, sounds like your testing car on the floor? But the above test may help trace the issue back throughout the steering mechanism?

[i260]

I had the car off the jack and had it on full lock, engine off and gave a voilent spell of shaking to get the sensation of movement.

The tyres have developed a very sharp edge on the font of the out-side edge so the tracking has sliped within 2,000 miles so maybe that is some indication of something being loose?

[feeutfo]

Suspension will settle from new. First month being worst. As it settles camber increases, and so will toe.

Torque values are in maintenance and Haynes. I'd get a torque wrench and check every bolt is tightened to the correct setting. Easy mistake to make. Wrong torque setting on the wrench or miss a bolt or a side completely.
I know they have checked, but even so. Wishbone bush bolts 120nm +angle tighten 30 then 15 degrees....steering knuckle pinch bolt 100nm from memory. But my memory is appalling so you need to check. Also go over shock to knuckle bolts, drop link bolts, caliper and carrier bolts... The lot!

You need to get under there IMO...

[i260]

No time to get out there while it is light so going back in next week.

If they cant find it then it all goes back to standard (hopefully shutting up the noise) and the car and parts go separate ways on the bay of e.

[i260]

So, a last 'do-or-die' visit to the garage has, on the final day and four suspension strips we have finally got to the bottom of the problem.

The Euro Car Parts top bush!

It is about 5mm thinner / shorter than the oem unit so we are back running the old bushes.

Basically the noise was the top cap rubbing on the inside of the turret, mostly on the drivers side but slightly on the passengers side - which ties up with the wobbly steering and the sensation that the wheels were loose.

So now I need to look into whether epc sent me the wrong part (for a 4 cyl??) or if their item is just no good for uprated suspension.

[feeutfo]

Should be same across the range. Only springs and shocks change.

Good to hear your getting somewhere though.

[i260]

So the ECP part is a pile of stinky stuff then!

[feeutfo]

Try Lemforder from allgerman? There's a baring in there as well, which has probably had a battering. Worth opening that race up and checking for pitting with a re grease at the very least, if not done already...?

Just a thought, the shock tops match? Length of thread showing etc?

[i260]

Well, 60 miles on and all seems ok - will put anothe few hundred on this weekend so will be sure next week.

Job to say about thread lengths as I have not seen them off together.

If I do change them I will stump up good money for gen parts (alas!).

Thanks everybody for all your comments and suggestions.

[car-nut]

I haven't read all the replies just the first page lol, but I have got a strange knocking on my car, my friend and I spent and afternoon jiggling all the front and rear suspension components and came up with zilch, then driving my Omega to a garage to get my new Catalytic converter fitted my mate who was following behind me said my exhaust appeared to be moving a bit. So after getting my car back from the garage we got back under the car and and found that the rear rubbers aren't totally shot but stretched enough to cause the knocking. So is your exhaust secured properly to the car???

HTH

[i260]

see the most recent posts 2 or 3 up from this one - Front strut bushes bad fitment.

(thanks for the interest in the post tho!)

[feeutfo]

Yep noises are a bugger. Recently had a nasty noise over bumps. Hit a speed bump, ooh that's front left, another speed bump, no right rear, next bump left rear, aye? What's going on...?

Turned out the noise was from front right, wrong x3! 

 wheel arch liner dis placed after a joust with a range rover.  . ...sigh!

[maracus]

Yep noises are a bugger. Recently had a nasty noise over bumps. Hit a speed bump, ooh that's front left, another speed bump, no right rear, next bump left rear, aye? What's going on...?

Turned out the noise was from front right, wrong x3! 

 wheel arch liner dis placed after a joust with a range rover.  . ...sigh!

Pmsl I find when diagnosing a wheel bearing, i always try the wrong side first! I convince myself that it's the side it's not! So I position the car so I can get to the good one then realise it don't need changing D'OH!!!!!!

[Dishevelled Den]

Good interesting thread.  Glad that you've got the problem sorted.

[i260]

Good interesting thread.  Glad that you've got the problem sorted.

Not half as glad as me  ! I had visions of binning the lot