NOT lower control arms - Knocking problem in the front

[ytt105]

2005 D3
I've got a knock in the drivers side front.
It occurs on short sharp potholes or speed humps. Longer bumps and bigger holes are no problem.

I've replaced the lower arms, complete, about 20,000k ago. The anti roll bar bushes were done at the same time.

The springs, shocks are original, about 170,000ks, and probably should be replaced.

I DO have a small amount of movement in the front wheel bearing on the side that does the knocking.

Also, I THINK there is slight amount of wandering in the steering.

Could the knocking be the wheel bearing or probably something else in the steering?

[ytt105]

Bump

[Redback]

Top shock mount, this could your problem, no rubber bush and when they go, they make a load knocking noise, assuming your's is a coiler and not air suspension.

[~Rich~]

I had a similar clunk / knock in mine, it can be many things with the most likely what you have done.
Another cause can be a worn lower steering shaft, pretty easy to replace. Fixed mine.

[Graeme]

Check both inner and outer tie-rod ends.

[ytt105]

Worth a try Redback, but no cigar.

Mine has air suspension.

I'll have a look at the mount though.

It certainly seems to be driver's side only, hard to find the right speed bumps that I can hit only with the drivers wheels.

[Graeme]

There is a joint on the steering column in the engine bay that if not tight will rattle. Mine was left not properly tight after a body R&R.

[Nomad9]

Hi There,
As Graeme suggests check your tie rod ends into the rack, I had a knock similar to what you mention and found the tie rod end into the rack worn quite badly, didn't show much on the tyre wear which I found surprising.

Cheers Marty.

[Roblott]

I had been chasing a similar noise for a while. Whilst the car was up on the hoist for other work, it had a thorough going over.

Inspection revealed both rack ends had play, as well as the lower steering shaft was knocking.

Now I'm just working through the part numbers to replace. I have a 2005 model also, and apparently there are different size tie rods on the earlier years. I found rocking the front wheel at 12 & 6 o'clock positions produced no play (bearings okay) but 3 & 9 o'clock produced the knock in the tie-rod ends.

My tyres also have no abnormal wear. All that I can think is that they are not being 'held' out of alignment and find an aligned position. Still pretty important to get it fixed though.

[morpheus]

I had a similar knock, felt through the steering wheel. For ages I suspected wheel bearing but had no movement and no discernible signs of wear on tyres. Only in the past few days I have started to get a very slight clink or clicking noise from my passenger front when moving. I checked yesterday and I now have movement from 12 and 6 o'clock positions when the car is lifted and on the ground.. so off to Dr Pete and PCB Landrovers on Friday.

Anyone know the rough cost of a replacement?