Tell me about D3 ball joints?

[Michael70]

Guys,

I am sure this has been discussed before but the search function on this site is frustrating to say the least. Anyhow I have recently purchased my first LR a D3 that I had admired since they were released. Had this checked out thoroughly by RACV and it had a full service history at a LR dealer, so all looked OK.

Driving it around after a month or so it developed a clunking noise under the front passenger side when turning corners (mainly to the left) which simply sounded like something loose banging against the chassis rail. Took it to my local repairer AMV and after a quick lap of the block they diagnosed a front ball joint as being the issue.

Apparently these give up the ghost at about 100K kms (mine has about 115K kms) and cost $1,350 per corner. The replacement is apparently a revised design as these were a known weakness and rectified with the D4 (mine is MY08 D3).

The question is: has this problem been overcome with the replacement unit, and should I expect the other three to go in fairly quick succession?

I was planning on spending some coin on accessories for off-road but seems that I have to save my pennies to get this right as well as other surprises that may yet come out of the woodwork.

Thanks for your advice,


Michael.

[PerthDisco]

Hi Michael

Going through all this myself currently at 90k kms.

Took mine in for a wheel alignment recently and they would not do it as too much movement in the front lower control arm bushes.

Seems this is about the right time for them to wear out as car is very heavy and also they have a very tight turning circle which tortures the bits and pieces.

Bit of homework shows that best way is to replace the entire lower control arm (cost approx $350 each) which has all new bushes and a new ball joint, presumably of the latest upgrade variety. Total cost to remove and replace around $2k I would guess.

Interestingly, the local LR dealer did not seem interested in this solution only to press out and replace the bushes (which is a mongrel of a job apparently).

Suggest replace ARB bushes at same time and she should be good for another lap of the block.

[Michael70]

Excuse the ignorance but what are "ARB bushes"?

Also I had the wheel alignment done when I replaced wheels about a week or so before the noise started up, and there was no comment from the aligner about movement or anything untoward???

Either way, it is a strange noise because it does really sound like something slapping against the chassis rail rather than a clunk in the suspension....is this the same sound you are experiencing?

Again thanks for the replies.

Michael.

[PerthDisco]

Anti Roll Bar - same deal bushes wear out.

I don't want to scare but I had a clunk in mine before the manufacturer warranty ran out. You could feel it through the steering wheel when turning / accelerating. Dealer told me they replaced the steering column :eek:

There are a lot of things that can go 'clunk' on a Disco it seems but replacing the entire lower control arms seems to kill three birds with one stone so a good investment in my mind.

Best if you find a very good D3 mechanic and go through it carefully.

[trobbo]

welcome to d3 ownership.
The d3 ball joints are crap and often fail in as little as 45,000 km.
I had the ball joints replaced in my d3 (along with the steering rack) to stop the knock, which it did, however it returned 3 weeks later.
I then had to replace the lower control arms which the ball joints attach to. Got hit twice for much of the labor involved in the two jobs so my advice would be to do the control arms as well and hope you dont have to replace the steering rack.

[roamer]

They haven't gotten any better in the D4 , twice in 65000km :(
At least it was under warranty

Cheers Ken

[smwilk]

I got both lower front control arms replaced for about $1000. Seems to be about the going rate.

[Michael70]

Not good news.....but thanks for the heads up!!

Looks like I have to save my pennies as this may be a recurring issue; pity the little things detract from the overall package.

Believe that the Disco is generations ahead of the jap offerings but I am still a bit nervous with all of the electronics and EAS; but when it is working it is brilliant.

Fingers crossed that the ball joint is the only problem for a while.

[RichardK]

$1350 per corner is a bit rich, I've just had both my front ones done plus the mandatory wheel alignment, my cost was $1650 all up

[NavyDiver]

I had both lower control arms replaced at about 150,000 cost a lot less than $1000 per side I think.

It seems your alinement person is not on the ball or ball jiont :cool: You would have thought they might mention a fault like that. That said my rattle was really only noted when going over corrigations or speed humps to fast. The nice guys are a ringwood LD service place could not find it till they hit a speed hump as well. Quick and easy to fix.

The great turning circle and other tricks our Discos can do does have some mainatence requirements.

[Ean Austral]

Gday All,

replaced my lower arms today, put a "How To " in the project/tutorial section.

Pretty straight forward job.

Cheers Ean

[KOOS BEST]

Gday All,

replaced my lower arms today, put a "How To " in the project/tutorial section.

Pretty straight forward job.

Cheers Ean
Sorry cant find it, pse post the link.
THX

[Ean Austral]

Sorry cant find it, pse post the link.
THX

I will once I work out how to post the link.. have to wait till my daughter wakes up.

Cheers Ean

[Scouse]

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/projects-tutorials/161206-how-d3-lower-front-suspension-arms.html

[Michael70]

I had both lower control arms replaced at about 150,000 cost a lot less than $1000 per side I think.

It seems your alinement person is not on the ball or ball jiont :cool: You would have thought they might mention a fault like that. That said my rattle was really only noted when going over corrigations or speed humps to fast. The nice guys are a ringwood LD service place could not find it till they hit a speed hump as well. Quick and easy to fix.

The great turning circle and other tricks our Discos can do does have some mainatence requirements.

Interesting to note that you had them done for less than $1,000 per side......it was the "nice" LR specialist in Ringwood that quoted me $1,350 for one.

Am I getting ripped?

[Mully]

Yes it is necessary job on the D3 and my '05 is in getting the whole front end redone right now, top and bottom and all the bushes. They crap out under all the load and make sure you keep an eye on front rotors while the pads chew away quickly. There is a LOT of weight to stop and the front brakes also cop a hammering alas.

...welcome to the club. :)

[Ean Austral]

Yes it is necessary job on the D3 and my '05 is in getting the whole front end redone right now, top and bottom and all the bushes. They crap out under all the load and make sure you keep an eye on front rotors while the pads chew away quickly. There is a LOT of weight to stop and the front brakes also cop a hammering alas.

...welcome to the club. :)

Funny you mention the rotors, when I replaced my lower arms the other day I did the rotors and pads as well, and even tho the rotors looked and felt bad after I removed them I measured them and they were just in spec.

Easy job to do, and would've had to be done very soon anyway.

Cheers Ean

[NavyDiver]

Interesting to note that you had them done for less than $1,000 per side......it was the "nice" LR specialist in Ringwood that quoted me $1,350 for one.

Am I getting ripped?
Mine was a few years ago. I would have thought with the very high AUD$ now that the price should be static of the same:eek:

Ritta's do all my work now. Perhaps time to get a few quotes.

[Mully]

Brakes here in Adelaide are quoted (where I tend to go when I pay for work to be done) at $550 front or back inclusive of rotors, pads and labor. $1100 all up both ends.

Gotta admit there is a load of work getting done (she is at 170k kms) and the bill could feed a small nation....these trucks cost a ton to keep on the road.

Cheers.

[scarry]

and the bill could feed a small nation....these trucks cost a ton to keep on the road.

Cheers.

You guys are starting to scare me:(

Particularly as the last D2 cost bugga all to keep on the road.

[Ean Austral]

Brakes here in Adelaide are quoted (where I tend to go when I pay for work to be done) at $550 front or back inclusive of rotors, pads and labor. $1100 all up both ends.

Gotta admit there is a load of work getting done (she is at 170k kms) and the bill could feed a small nation....these trucks cost a ton to keep on the road.

Cheers.

The thing with rotors is they seem to vary in price from about $ 60 each to a couple hundred each. Pads seem to range quite alot as well. As far as changing the rotors and pads, well wouldn't be more than an hours labour, so you must be getting the rotors/pads at the better end of the scale for that price.

Cheers Ean

[Glynhouse]

Just looked up my invoice, had both fronts replaced as part of the major 100K service (I bought it at 88K)
total cost of new suspension arms and fitting and wheel alignment came out at $1500. or $750 a side. done in July. 2012

I keep reading that this is a heavy vehicle and to expect maintenance because of that, To me it is not a heavy vehicle ! coming from an 80series which was almost the same tare and gross weight.
I have just returned from our property in the N.T. where we run quite a fleet of 79series tray tops all come in at 3000kgs in fitted up trim, and they get a belting,I could not stay with the work utes in the D3 on give and take station roads. If they have to do anything to these vehicles other than shockers under 200K they raise the roof.

DD

[Ean Austral]

Just looked up my invoice, had both fronts replaced as part of the major 100K service (I bought it at 88K)
total cost of new suspension arms and fitting and wheel alignment came out at $1500. or $750 a side. done in July. 2012

I keep reading that this is a heavy vehicle and to expect maintenance because of that, To me it is not a heavy vehicle ! coming from an 80series which was almost the same tare and gross weight.
I have just returned from our property in the N.T. where we run quite a fleet of 79series tray tops all come in at 3000kgs in fitted up trim, and they get a belting,I could not stay with the work utes in the D3 on give and take station roads. If they have to do anything to these vehicles other than shockers under 200K they raise the roof.

DD

I am no expert at suspension but when you see the arms when they are out, the rear bush which I believe is the one that fails first doesn't seem big enough to me. The bush sits about level with the back of the front wheel, but the front sits about level with the centre of the wheel, so more stress and work must sit on the rear bush.

I have read on the UK site that there has been varying success with the poly bushes, but they may have better success on aussie roads.
The difference in the car after the replacement is very noticable, and am glad I did the job.

Cheers Ean

[Mully]

Just picked the beast up today and it came in at a tickle under $2700. Gotta say I was happy with that as it was a full front end rebuild and rotors/pads front and back. They also clipped me flapping door trims back on. [:)] Interesting that they have gone to genuine lower wishbones... part number LR028249.... 10.2kg each...

Labor all up was about $560 which I thought was quite reasonable given the amount of time it takes to pull the front apart plus do all the brakes and an alignment of course.

Got a full parts list on the invoice and the rotors were about $100 each and this mob don't like to use the cheaper stuff so all up, it was a fair result.

Nice to be driving a good D3 again! I won't be flogging it hard again after all this.
Hope you are all enjoying yours after your work is done too. [:)]
Cheers.

[Ean Austral]

Just picked the beast up today and it came in at a tickle under $2700. Gotta say I was happy with that as it was a full front end rebuild and rotors/pads front and back. They also clipped me flapping door trims back on. [:)] Interesting that they have gone to genuine lower wishbones... part number LR028249.... 10.2kg each...

Labor all up was about $560 which I thought was quite reasonable given the amount of time it takes to pull the front apart plus do all the brakes and an alignment of course.

Got a full parts list on the invoice and the rotors were about $100 each and this mob don't like to use the cheaper stuff so all up, it was a fair result.

Nice to be driving a good D3 again! I won't be flogging it hard again after all this.
Hope you are all enjoying yours after your work is done too. [:)]
Cheers.

Glad you are happy, its rare to see someone happy with the repair bill, and accept that it is getting value for $$.

Enjoy. Cheerz Ean

[Graeme]

I keep reading that this is a heavy vehicle and to expect maintenance because of that,I think its inevitable that an independent suspension setup that has more than just a little travel is going to be hard on bushes compared with a live axle. Someone suggested the RRS bushes might be better because they are stiffer but the RRS seems to have less suspension travel so might not last as long if the suspension travel is utilised. Larger diameter bushes might not last longer but longer ones may.

[Mully]

Glad you are happy, its rare to see someone happy with the repair bill, and accept that it is getting value for $$.

Enjoy. Cheerz Ean

So true mate. I was honestly expecting near double due to the list of stuff to be done hence the big cost comment to keep these on the road.

The labor bill was good for all the work I thought hence the happy thoughts. Now for the rest of the list most of which I'll do myself.

Deep pockets are certainly required to own a D3 with all the usual issues.
I get the usual comments from the Toyo friends of course. :)
Cheers.

[adzee]

I took mine to Pedders as a trusted mate owns it, ad had the lower control arm bushes replaced with their heavy duty bushes rotors and pads front and rear and labour for about $1100, they also replaced all my abs sensors as they shattered when touched, suffering from heat damage. I can appreciate that given the work out traction control has when off road.

I experienced the clunk and stiff steering so I am about to order a new steering rack(lower) and get that replaced and then I should be free from clunk. (D3 95000)