JonK_UK Posted January 9, 2008 Report Share Posted January 9, 2008 What a site! My latest fix-it question -- Over small bumps, sometimes even normal road surfaces, I'm getting a light rumble from the front end. It disappears when I'm on the brakes, so I've rules out suspension wear. On inspection, suspension components looked fine. I've just had the front discs skimmed and fitted new front pads due to a rattling caliper, yet the problems still there. Any offers as to where to look next? Cheers (97 4.2 Q) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SneakyMcC Posted January 9, 2008 Report Share Posted January 9, 2008 Rumbles are normally wheel bearings? The suspension links rattle like mofo's on these cars. If the disc and pads are thin, the pads can make a kind of rubbing/grinding noise if loose in the callipers.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonK_UK Posted January 9, 2008 Author Report Share Posted January 9, 2008 Sure thing. The mystery is that the knocking disappears when the brakes are applied. Wheel bearings, suspension wear etc. would carry on making a noise all of the time I would think. Perhaps the discs need replacing at the next service altogether as they looked tired. Pads are new. Skimming improved the surface, but perhaps they're worn and rattling... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LostKiwi Posted January 9, 2008 Report Share Posted January 9, 2008 When you are braking the loads on the suspension increase and any slight play is normally taken up, so don't rule out suspension. Best thing is to jack up the front, then poke prod pull push and lever all the links looking for movement. You may need to put a lot of force in to find it. Personally my favourite would be the sway bar links as mine made a little rumbly rattle and after I changed them it was sweet... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiser647 Posted January 9, 2008 Report Share Posted January 9, 2008 Could be suspension? Try turning the wheel on the move (slowly) over a different surface. You might get the effects through. A visual inspection of the suspension components is not always enough. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonK_UK Posted January 9, 2008 Author Report Share Posted January 9, 2008 Thanks for this, I hadn't thought of that. Replaced one of the roll bar links, the other felt ok. I think come service time in the spring, I'll have to crow-bar my way around and check all the links. With 4 per side, and some done recently, it can be really difficult tracking down the worst offenders. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulW Posted January 9, 2008 Report Share Posted January 9, 2008 I would make sure your spring clips for the brake pads are properly installed, don't know what type of brakes you have, but here are the facelift brakes..... You can find all sorts of picture at audipages.com, here is one link: http://www.audipages.com/Tech_Articles/susp_whls_brake_steer/frontbrakestwin.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Botang Posted January 10, 2008 Report Share Posted January 10, 2008 My gargae has worked out the best way to test them, it involves putting the car on the brake rollers and observing which suspension arms have the most movement when the brakes are applied. Crow bars dont seem to be able to generate enough force on their own. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PsYcHe Posted January 10, 2008 Report Share Posted January 10, 2008 There's a 'u' shaped bracket that connects two of the suspension arms and it's like a thump over little bumps in the road, I thought something was loose in the boot for a couple of weeks. They're not expensive (30 quid ish) and pretty easy to replace (had the garage do mine). Might be worth looking into that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LostKiwi Posted January 10, 2008 Report Share Posted January 10, 2008 [ QUOTE ] There's a 'u' shaped bracket that connects two of the suspension arms and it's like a thump over little bumps in the road, I thought something was loose in the boot for a couple of weeks. They're not expensive (30 quid ish) and pretty easy to replace (had the garage do mine). Might be worth looking into that. [/ QUOTE ] I think thats the anti-roll bar drop link you're referring to there.... same problem I had. Note there are two types - one is rubber bushed (later style) and the other has ball joints (earlier type). Readily available on ebay for under £20 a pair... Like these ones: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Front-Antiroll-Bar...1QQcmdZViewItem The earlier ones are a swine to remove as the balljoint fouls the wheel hub bearing carrier - in the end I dremeled mine off....Easy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SneakyMcC Posted January 11, 2008 Report Share Posted January 11, 2008 [ QUOTE ] The earlier ones are a swine to remove as the balljoint fouls the wheel hub bearing carrier - in the end I dremeled mine off....Easy! [/ QUOTE ] I just did mine last weekend. (These I mean) The old ball jointed ones only need the botton shock absorber bolt removed. The tough bit was sliding the new bolts through. but that was now real prob once I check on PaulW's audipages. Edit: As PaulW clearly states! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LostKiwi Posted January 11, 2008 Report Share Posted January 11, 2008 Oops - I meant the lower spring/shock mount! Thats fine if you can get the lower shock bolt undone and its not been tightened by a steroid addicted gorilla..... Incidentally thats the early version shown in Pauls pic... the later version is the one above Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SneakyMcC Posted January 11, 2008 Report Share Posted January 11, 2008 [ QUOTE ] Incidentally thats the early version shown in Pauls pic... the later version is the one above [/ QUOTE ] Yes, PW has that covered too. In the reassemble photos, you'll see that he's fitted the updated items.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LostKiwi Posted January 11, 2008 Report Share Posted January 11, 2008 Yep.... me too Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjmmarsh Posted January 12, 2008 Report Share Posted January 12, 2008 Wheel bearing problems normally make more noise when the wheel is loaded i.e. more noise when turning right = front left bearing is going. They can rumble on getting progressively worse over time. When they first start to go, applying the brakes clamps the disk vertically, so reducing the amount the wheel can wobble. This will reduce the rumbling. The other explanation could be a warped disk. Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonK_UK Posted March 25, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 25, 2008 FINALLY TRACED!!!!!! Jeez this has been a real issue. Now that I have replaced: pads,discs, tie rod ends, track rod, c links, and a wheel bearing. It seems the rattle has been located in the O/S Brake Caliper Carrier. The part is really worn and rattles like hell unless you apply the brakes even very very lightly to take up the clearance. Got a replacement from a breaker, going to fit on Friday. I really hope that's it -- not much else to actually replace. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duffy3074 Posted March 26, 2008 Report Share Posted March 26, 2008 Well done! It'll be worth it when the peace and quiet returns!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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