Clunky front end

[Flemington08disco]

Hi All,

My 08 Disco has about 220,000 on the clock and is going strong.
My front end is starting to sound clunky and sharp, it’s like the airbag shocks are not as soft as they once were.
I’ve made a visual inspection of the control arms and bushes etc when I do my oil change and they all seem fine.
My question is do the bag shocks eventually become less effective and need replacing?
I replaced my air compressor a while back so no issues there.
Any thoughts appreciated.

[Tombie]

Shocks lose their effective damping from around 100k abs degrade from there.

The clunky sound will be rear lower bushes and/or ball joints, my money is the lower rear bushes.

At the age of vehicle start planning a midlife on the suspension. Arms and strut assemblies.

[Dagilmo]

x 2 for the lower rear bushes. For clarity: Lower Control Arm (search LCA for reams of information on here) rear bush.

I've just done mine at 110k km. Hash ride, a bit of knocking but main symptom was shuddering whist braking. New bushes and all resolved.

[MuzD4]

Sounds like blown lower control arm bushes, these are a hydra bush filled with oil, over time the rubber perishes and the oil ends up leaking out and then you’re left with a clanking front end… replaced both mine 25k km ago and front end feels smooth again. There’s lots of threads on here that cover the subject and also how to replace yourself if you’re interested. 👍

[LukeO]

Sounds like blown lower control arm bushes, these are a hydra bush filled with oil, over time the rubber perishes and the oil ends up leaking out and then you’re left with a clanking front end… replaced both mine 25k km ago and front end feels smooth again. There’s lots of threads on here that cover the subject and also how to replace yourself if you’re interested. 👍

Yep, I also agree with everyone here. Had mine done at 100,000km (roughly). Really tightens up the front end and feels great to drive again. As with most things LR related though it stung the back pocket.....

[josh.huber]

Yep, I also agree with everyone here. Had mine done at 100,000km (roughly). Really tightens up the front end and feels great to drive again. As with most things LR related though it stung the back pocket.....

It doesn't have to but, I did a tutorial on here years ago. Including buying a new press was less then $500 basic hand tools only required. Back then I burnt the old Bush out. I use a drill these days

[loanrangie]

It doesn't have to but, I did a tutorial on here years ago. Including buying a new press was less then $500 basic hand tools only required. Back then I burnt the old Bush out. I use a drill these daysOra press kit for less than $200.

[shack]

Ora press kit for less than $200.I made my own tools, bit rough though! What is this kit you are referring too?

[josh.huber]

Ora press kit for less than $200.

Im always looking but never find em that cheap. Show me the way!!

[MuzD4]

I bought the Laser LR bush tool (part number 6180), cost me ~$400 (banking on using it a few times between myself and another mate) - easy to use and worked a treat for me!

171386

Parts cost me;
LCA rear bush (oilfilled) OEM $88.36ea +GST
Bolt kit for LCA$53.03 +GST (each side)

171384 171385 171387

Note: the following made my life easier for this task;


GAP IID tool - used this to drop/unload/release suspension (need to do this to allow free suspension movement)
Car hoist
Vertical jacking prop (made it easy when setting LCA to normal loaded ride height [which I measured with car on ground] before tightening bush bolts, to ensure bush is unloaded at standard ride height)


:thumbsup:

[Tombie]

I have the hydraulic press and dies.
2 hours per side on the floor had it done.
(My hoist hasn’t been installed yet)

[Dagilmo]

I bought the Laser LR bush tool (part number 6180), cost me ~$400 (banking on using it a few times between myself and another mate) - easy to use and worked a treat for me!

171386

Parts cost me;
LCA rear bush (oilfilled) OEM $88.36ea +GST
Bolt kit for LCA$53.03 +GST (each side)

171384 171385 171387

Note: the following made my life easier for this task;


GAP IID tool - used this to drop/unload/release suspension (need to do this to allow free suspension movement)
Car hoist
Vertical jacking prop (made it easy when setting LCA to normal loaded ride height [which I measured with car on ground] before tightening bush bolts, to ensure bush is unloaded at standard ride height)


:thumbsup:

X2. Have now done two lots of bushes with it. Plus a couple of members have also used it.

[Flemington08disco]

Thanks guys I really appreciate the feedback, I'm on the fence about trying this one myself. If I had access to a lift I'd do it, but looks like a pain in the ass on stands.
I'm going to get the guys at Les Richmond to take a look and quote.

[Dagilmo]

Thanks guys I really appreciate the feedback, I'm on the fence about trying this one myself. If I had access to a lift I'd do it, but looks like a pain in the ass on stands.
I'm going to get the guys at Les Richmond to take a look and quote.

It's not that hard in the driveway. My brother has a hoist and is 30 mins drive away. It's a toss up between loading the tools up and driving there and doing it in the driveway at home....Obviously it's easier on the hoist but the 20 mins load tools, 1 hour return travel and 20 mins unload tools, makes the driveway an option.....

[Tombie]

It's not that hard in the driveway. My brother has a hoist and is 30 mins drive away. It's a toss up between loading the tools up and driving there and doing it in the driveway at home....Obviously it's easier on the hoist but the 20 mins load tools, 1 hour return travel and 20 mins unload tools, makes the driveway an option.....

Mine took a lazy 2 hours in the workshop on the floor when I did them last time.

Nothing rushed.