02 Disco 2 - knocking from steering?

02Disco2 · Apr 7, 2018

Hi,

First post here and very new owner of an '02 Discovery 2 and have never owned a Landrover of any sort before so apologies if I'm not 100% up to speed yet.

Got the car home today and there is a strange "knock" noise from what I think is the front left (nearside) wheel but it only seems to happen when you turn the steering wheel slightly to the right (or left but the noise is more pronounced when turning right).

I've tried full lock both left and right and there is no noise or juddering and when steering heavily there is no noise.

No obvious noise from the suspension and when pushing down/releasing the front wings the shocks seem to cope fine without any noises... So I don't think it's suspension related - but what do I know?!

I've mentioned this to the (non 4x4 specialist) dealer that I bought the car from and they are going to take a look at it next week so hopefully they'll sort it out but I was hoping to get some idea as to what it is so that I can make sure its fixed!

Worth nothing that the car has just had an MOT (within the last 3 weeks) and has currently done 89,000 miles and "seems" to be in fairly good condition.
The rear SLS has been replaced by coil springs but I think that's fodder for another post!

Thanks for any suggestions on how to pin down the issue or advice

jamesmartin · Apr 7, 2018

could be a roll bar drop link,or a roll bar bush or other ,best thing is to get someone to rock vehicle hard whilst you look for play , you can feel play better than looking often so try holding suspect parts as its rocked

02Disco2 · Apr 7, 2018

jamesmartin said:
could be a roll bar drop link,or a roll bar bush or other ,best thing is to get someone to rock vehicle hard whilst you look for play , you can feel play better than looking often so try holding suspect parts as its rocked

thanks, will give that a try in the morning

Bobdog · Apr 7, 2018

02Disco2 said:
thanks, will give that a try in the morning

is it a knock that you can almost 'feel' rather than 'hear'? happens when turning the steering wheel across the mid-point either left or right? if so, i am 99% sure it will be your anti-roll bar bushes. easy to do, just under the bumper and 4 bolts iirc, mine were worn through, changing them sorted it. (just don't drop the bar on your head

)

02Disco2 · Apr 7, 2018

Bobdog said:
is it a knock that you can almost 'feel' rather than 'hear'? happens when turning the steering wheel across the mid-point either left or right? if so, i am 99% sure it will be your anti-roll bar bushes. easy to do, just under the bumper and 4 bolts iirc, mine were worn through, changing them sorted it. (just don't drop the bar on your head )

yes that's it - ok, will have a look underneath tomorrow and do some more investigation and figure out what parts I need. I'm about as far from a car mechanic as you can get but I'm keen to learn and try with the discovery..!

thank you everyone for your help so far!

02Disco2 · Apr 7, 2018

I've just seen from the latest MOT certificate (yes I know I should have checked this earlier but my wife bought the car and I believed her when she said "its passed with no issues) and there are 2 advisories for; "near and off-side front shock absorber, slightly worn bush".

Could these factor in the "knocking" and are they something that (with a little assistance from my very mechanically minded neighbour) I could replace myself? and are they expensive parts?

Sorry again for all the questions, keen to learn but very new to this!

thanks
S

Bobdog · Apr 7, 2018

02Disco2 said:
I've just seen from the latest MOT certificate (yes I know I should have checked this earlier but my wife bought the car and I believed her when she said "its passed with no issues) and there are 2 advisories for; "near and off-side front shock absorber, slightly worn bush".

Could these factor in the "knocking" and are they something that (with a little assistance from my very mechanically minded neighbour) I could replace myself? and are they expensive parts?

Sorry again for all the questions, keen to learn but very new to this!

thanks
S

the shock bushes are unlikely to be the cause of your knock, though they would start knocking eventually. whilst the shock bushes job isnt very technical, it can be a bit of an arse due to how tight they are. the ARB bushes are much easier as they are split to go over the bar.

Bobdog · Apr 7, 2018

@02Disco2 one thing to note is, when you get the ARB bushes, (which are cheap as chips) there are two types. one for ACE and one for non-ACE. fitting is the same, they are just different sizes.

02Disco2 · Apr 7, 2018

Bobdog said:
@02Disco2 one thing to note is, when you get the ARB bushes, (which are cheap as chips) there are two types. one for ACE and one for non-ACE. fitting is the same, they are just different sizes.

Ok, noted. Thanks! It’s a 2002 disco so I believe it has ACE but is there a way to makes sure?

Bobdog · Apr 7, 2018

02Disco2 said:
Ok, noted. Thanks! It’s a 2002 disco so I believe it has ACE but is there a way to makes sure?

open the bonnet, look for a plastic tank to the right near the front. if it has two caps, then you have ACE. its written on the plastic tank as well.

02Disco2 · Apr 7, 2018

Bobdog said:
open the bonnet, look for a plastic tank to the right near the front. if it has two caps, then you have ACE. its written on the plastic tank as well.

It does. Thanks, will get googling for the bushes

Bobdog · Apr 7, 2018

02Disco2 said:
It does. Thanks, will get googling for the bushes

here you go. genuine part as well-
https://www.island-4x4.co.uk/anti-roll-bush-with-active-ride-genuine-rbx101181g-p-6028.html

02Disco2 · Apr 8, 2018

Bobdog said:
here you go. genuine part as well-
https://www.island-4x4.co.uk/anti-roll-bush-with-active-ride-genuine-rbx101181g-p-6028.html

That's great, thank you so much

02Disco2 · Apr 20, 2018

So after taking the disco back to the garage that I bought it from for them to investigate the "knocking" they've told me that they can't find out what it is/it's mot passable so won't do anything. As much as I want to kick off and push them to do it I also need the car and want to get it back from them as soon as possible and never have to deal with them again..

I called a local 4x4 garage and they quoted me just over £200 for ARB bushes, linkages and new front shocks.

So my question is, do I take it to them or buy the parts for £80ish and attempt it myself?

A bit of background, I'm very competent with push bikes but have never worked on anything more technical than an air filter change on a car... I have, or have access to, all the tools I need as well as some help but something in my head is telling me to get it done at the dealer just for piece of mind.
Any thoughts on this?!

Iancorky · Apr 20, 2018

Only one way to learn, if you're considering having a garage do those easy jobs, you are going to be poorer than a church mouse when other more serious stuff needs doing.
Get stuck in, plenty of good write ups to help you along the way.
Should manage it all in a few hours

02Disco2 · Apr 20, 2018

Iancorky said:
Only one way to learn, if you're considering having a garage do those easy jobs, you are going to be poorer than a church mouse when other more serious stuff needs doing.
Get stuck in, plenty of good write ups to help you along the way.
Should manage it all in a few hours

A fair point, guess that's me ordering some parts then!!

brian47 · Apr 21, 2018

@02Disco2

Almost all members who do a lot of the work on their own vehicles have the back-up of some sort of written material about the vehicle, even if it's just as an extra saucer for your coffee mug.

A basic start point could be the Haynes "Big Book of Lies and Black Magic" or better still, download a copy of RAVE, the Land Rover workshop manual. It's free but only works properly on a windows PC, not a Mac or a phone.

Download from:- http://www.myrangerover.co.uk/rave-workshop-manual/

02Disco2 · Apr 21, 2018

Thanks @brian47, I'll download that and have a look.

Going to "man up" and give it a go so watch this space!

I keep reading about Poly bushes as a replacement for the standard ones.are they worth it or should I just stick with the standards for now?

Bobdog · Apr 21, 2018

02Disco2 said:
So after taking the disco back to the garage that I bought it from for them to investigate the "knocking" they've told me that they can't find out what it is/it's mot passable so won't do anything. As much as I want to kick off and push them to do it I also need the car and want to get it back from them as soon as possible and never have to deal with them again..

I called a local 4x4 garage and they quoted me just over £200 for ARB bushes, linkages and new front shocks.

So my question is, do I take it to them or buy the parts for £80ish and attempt it myself?

A bit of background, I'm very competent with push bikes but have never worked on anything more technical than an air filter change on a car... I have, or have access to, all the tools I need as well as some help but something in my head is telling me to get it done at the dealer just for piece of mind.
Any thoughts on this?!

seriously mate? £200?? its 2 bolts and a bit of pushing and pulling to replace the ARB bushes. i'd be surprised if changing them alone didnt cure your knocking. its one of the simplest jobs to do on a D2. just have a jack or axle stand or something in place to stop the bar dropping on your head!

MJI · Apr 21, 2018

My rules for using a garage are as follows

1) Is it winter?
2) Is it fiddly or hard work?
3) Am I at all poorly?
4) Any tool issues?

If 3 or more ticked garage time.

Had all 4 just before MOT

02 Disco 2 - knocking from steering?

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