Lower suspension arm, what have I done wrong

spitfire · Jun 6, 2012

Hi All,
Changed both lower suspension arms last week as had a pronounced clonk going over potholes, sure enough the nearside balljoint was well worn.
However since changing the arms I now have a pronounced creak when turning the wheel or going over bumps which is driving me crazy. Is there a method of setting the arm before pulling up the bolt or should I have weight on it to settle the bush. Any help gratefully received. Regards Ian

Saint.V8 · Jun 6, 2012

spitfire said:
Hi All,
Changed both lower suspension arms last week as had a pronounced clonk going over potholes, sure enough the nearside balljoint was well worn.
However since changing the arms I now have a pronounced creak when turning the wheel or going over bumps which is driving me crazy. Is there a method of setting the arm before pulling up the bolt or should I have weight on it to settle the bush. Any help gratefully received. Regards Ian

With weight of vehicle then tighten bolts - as per RAVE (as attached)....

spitfire · Jun 6, 2012

Many thanks Saint V8, appreciate your assistance, hope I haven't knackered the new bushes. I would like to check/adjust the tracking now but my local quick fit wont touch it saying it has to go to a main dealer... is this true?

Saint.V8 · Jun 6, 2012

As far as I am aware, the tracking can be done by anyone with a large enough test bay...!!!

Steering and tracking adjustment is done in the same way as 99% of the other vehicles on the road - by turning the Track Rod to adjust the length to move the wheel in or out....whilst RAVE indicates equipment approved by LR, almost all 4 wheel alignment machines will do the job....

If that is Kwik Fit's response, go to a decent fitter - they will know what they're doing....

mike07986 · Jun 6, 2012

hello there

are you sure the creaking wasnt there before maybe a arb link rod they have a habit of creaking was the ball joint knocking before ? cheers mike

dogsbody · Jun 7, 2012

spitfire said:
Many thanks Saint V8, appreciate your assistance, hope I haven't knackered the new bushes. I would like to check/adjust the tracking now but my local quick fit wont touch it saying it has to go to a main dealer... is this true?

Kwik-Fit had a few bad experiences with their fitters trying to align cars that needed special treatment such as the suspension loaded when the tracking is done. Now they are advised to refuse anything that looks expensive or complicated.
Find your local tyre dealer who looks after the Scoobie nutters and the like. They'll charge you but should do a decent job.

spitfire · Jun 7, 2012

Hi Just a quick post to confirm Saint.V8 correct diagnosis. Undid the suspension arms and let the vehicle settle with the cars weight on, then tighten, all now good, note to self to read rave before undertaking maintenance in future. Still no joy with the tracking, no one wants to touch it. Cheers Ian

Saint.V8 · Jun 7, 2012

spitfire said:
hi just a quick post to confirm saint.v8 correct diagnosis. Undid the suspension arms and let the vehicle settle with the cars weight on, then tighten, all now good, note to self to read rave before undertaking maintenance in future. Still no joy with the tracking, no one wants to touch it. Cheers ian

birchy71 · Jun 8, 2012

tracking is best left to experts ,had mine done for the usual £40 at a tyre place after changing the rear toe arm and top bush, started tearing front tyres up ended up in dealers and cost £120 but noticed the difference straight away and got a complete printed report of all the angles etc,had a word with the lad who runs the local indy landrover place and he said normally at least an hour to do any one properly and don.t trust the muppets in the tyre places.

Lower suspension arm, what have I done wrong

spitfire

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