D3 front end "clunking"

[vbrab]

Has anybody had any problems with noise coming from front shock/steering area on D3 with air/shock suspension?
Went to have steering rod ends and spindles replaced because I had some small "play" and a rattle/clunk when driving on slightly rough roads.
Repairer managed to get a "clunk" from steering through being vigorous with wheels on hoist and seemed likely that noise/clunk was internal to the rack. Replace with all new rack/rods etc.
2 days later on dirt track, still have "clunking" on unmade roads/rough carparks. No noise on bitumen, only on off road.
Vehicle drives very well otherwise.
Repairer says that front air shock system can develope a clunk/rattle, but need to change whole unit. (Air strut and shocker)
My query is.
Suspension unit appears to have separate rubber bush atop it.
Does anybody know if it might be a case of replacing that "bush" rather than the whole unit, or it it a case of change the whole unit?
Has anybody else had similar front end "clunks" that were not steering related? Not keen to replace parts that might not need it.

[Drizzle]

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/d3-d4-rrs/...id-filled.html

[Epic pooh]

Anti roll bar d rubbers can also cause a clunk. Most commonly lca per the thread or lower steering column. Good luck !

[Xtreme]

Check front control arm bushes.

[AnD3rew]

Check front control arm bushes.

That X2

[ADMIRAL]

Or front lower balljoints, particularly if they haven't been changed already.

[brumby]

I had a clunking noise when going over corrugations, rough road and speed bumps. My mechanic (land Rover independent ) picked it straight up as the Lower Control Arm bushes. because of the labour involved it is cheaper to replace the whole Lower Control Arm. Drive over a speed bump on an angle and this should tell you which side the noise is coming from.
Blakey

[Greatsouthernland]

Worth replacing LCA's bushes with poly bushes. The rubber ones are under engineered for the weight.

Don't do what I did and replace top ones with polyurethane too, as this made the beast too tight, with low profile tyres, very firm.

This mob -

Famous Four - Independent Land Rover Parts, Accessories, Sales & Servicing Specialist - Land Rover Parts, Land Rover Accessories, Land Rover Vehicle Sales, Servicing & Repair

I found paying labour to replace the bushes and ball joints on 4 LCAs was cheaper than all new arms (factored in postage) also the benefit was choosing the poly bushes which would last 3 times longer than rubber bushes.

Just my experience...

[vbrab]

Thanks all for input and suggestions will check it all out.
Would usually think ball joints/rod ends and such as the suspects, but had upgraded (D4) lower arms, ball joints etc fitted previously, and all that seems to still be tight. Will explore the bushes on torsion bar, if no luck, will have to pull out airshock and check upper rubber mount.....before replacing the whole unit.

[~Rich~]

No torsion bars on a D3!
Perhaps you meant Anti Roll Bars?
As mentioned before these are also a culprit of clunking, easy fix too.