Knocking noise front end

[03gallagherj]

Hey guys just done a trip through the Merricumbene Firetrail out near Bendethera NSW, not a bad track but i have gotten back home and the ol paj has developed a bit of a knock in the front end.

The Lower Ball joints were creaking around as the boots have split so theres no grease in them so i re greased them that solved creaking (until the grease came back out) The knocking noise happens on a downward flex in the front end, and also when under heavy brake. It sounds like when the brakes are applied that the whole front diff knocks forward then you take your foot off the brake and back on again and it goes "clunk"

Im going to pull the front end apart tomorrow to check it all out, had a look the other day on a hoist applied pressure to ball joints rod ends pitmen arm steering idler and the likes all are still in top conditions except lower ball joint boots.

Does anyone have any suggestions on what to check and how to go about checking it????

Cheers, Jackson

[REDNUT]

id be looking at the front diff mount bush, controll arm bushes, and front sway bar bushes,

perhaps also wheel bearings?

[03gallagherj]

front diff mount was going to be one of the first things to get a look at tomorrow, swaybar bushes all good not long replaced control arm bushes also all good and not long replaced them either. Wheel bearings i checked them yesterday actually and they are all good too lol hhahahaha

[REDNUT]

only really leaves the lower ball joints?

[03gallagherj]

hmmmmm yes thats what im thinking, was looking at the LH lower and it seems it has moved so im gonna check the bolts lol. Along with the Diff mounts so hopefully the bushes there are still ok.

[03gallagherj]

guess what???? i found the problem.

when i had my upper control arm bushes replaces recently, the mob that fitted them for me didnt tighten the upper control arm to the mounts on the chassis properly.

It mounts to the shock tower area with 2 Bolts with the Bolt head being 19mm and the nut being a 17mm. When i check over the suspension this morning i discovered that i could rock the wheel in and out around 5cm. i was trying to see where it was moving on and then i saw the bolts that were just moving around, they were only finger tight when i got to them this morning. Man im lucky they didnt fall out when i was driving the car.

[peejay68au]

guess what???? i found the problem.

when i had my upper control arm bushes replaces recently, the mob that fitted them for me didnt tighten the upper control arm to the mounts on the chassis properly.

It mounts to the shock tower area with 2 Bolts with the Bolt head being 19mm and the nut being a 17mm. When i check over the suspension this morning i discovered that i could rock the wheel in and out around 5cm. i was trying to see where it was moving on and then i saw the bolts that were just moving around, they were only finger tight when i got to them this morning. Man im lucky they didnt fall out when i was driving the car.

That happened to the father in law with my old jabber, but it did come out and leave him stranded.

[glenn_cot]

This is very comon problem they are a fine thread, once they have been undone after 10 plus years the nuts loosen themselves, the bolts and nuts need to be replaced.
Glenn

[Custardchucker]

My NL did the same thing too. After i tightened them up the first time and they came loose again. I sourced some new bolts and nuts and with a touch of Loctite they havent budged since.
Your a lucky man Gallagher!!!
Cheers
Toby

[03gallagherj]

Yeah im thanking my lucky stars that it didnt come out as i was on my decent on the clyde mtn when it got really bad. its the Mountain between canberra and the coast.

Im thinking i will go and buy myself some new spring washers nuts and bolts plus some locktite