Freelander 1 rattley front suspension?

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htr

htr

Well-Known Member
Posts
1,557
Location
Central Otago, Southern New Zealand
I'v got an irritating rattle from the driver's side front suspension. Most noticeable at low speed < 50km/h and foot off the throttle. Happens at other times when going over uneven surfaces. Nothing shows up in our WoF test [=MOT in UK] I've replaced the ARB bushes and the lower engine tie bar. Could this be a faulty drop link?:(
 
I've got the same rattle that I can't trace. I suspect it's the top mount bearing or the strut it's self.
 
htr said:
I've got to take that strut out soon to test fit my lift kit. Is that bearing something that can be replaced or is it the whole strut?
Click to expand...

Yes the top mount bearing is replaceable. You'll need some spring compressors to do it though. They aren't expensive and are the only safe way to remove the spring.
 
Its the same or me so far I have
Replaced both struts/springs/Shock bearings/wish bones/Drop links
I also checked the sway bar bushes (Replaced two years ago) and they were solid
I also checked the track rod ends (Replaced two years ago) and they were solid
Had a rattle of the drive shafts (Wheel bearings replaced last year) and they were solid
I went round and did up all the nuts on the suspension to the correct torque and a few of them were very loose
Passed its MOT not long since back with an advisory regarding engine mount (Can’t remember which one he said) so both of those will be the next job
 
Last edited:
I've replaced drop links and track rod ends and given everything else a once over. I'm now starting to believe the sound is unrelated to the suspension and is being transmitted from another part, but sounds like the suspension.
So far I've narrowed it down to (possibly) one of the linkages? Going from the footwell through the firewall.
As ever, it's having the time and a willing assistant who will hit/push/prod everything whilst I lay under the car and try and trace it.
This noise has been reported ever since I've been on this forum (2009) and, as yet, no definitive answer has been put forward.
First one to find it gets a free 10p mix;)
Mike
 
Skinny Mike said:
I've replaced drop links and track rod ends and given everything else a once over. I'm now starting to believe the sound is unrelated to the suspension and is being transmitted from another part, but sounds like the suspension.
So far I've narrowed it down to (possibly) one of the linkages? Going from the footwell through the firewall.
As ever, it's having the time and a willing assistant who will hit/push/prod everything whilst I lay under the car and try and trace it.
This noise has been reported ever since I've been on this forum (2009) and, as yet, no definitive answer has been put forward.
First one to find it gets a free 10p mix;)
Mike
Click to expand...

What's your noise like Mike? Mine is a knock that I can feel through the floor on the driver's side. It's only there on small sharp bumps. Like when I run over a patch were the upper layer of tarmac has come off. It's not there on large gentle speed humps.
 
Nodge68 said:
What's your noise like Mike? Mine is a knock that I can feel through the floor on the driver's side. It's only there on small sharp bumps. Like when I run over a patch were the upper layer of tarmac has come off. It's not there on large gentle speed humps.
Click to expand...
That's the one. Really noticeable as I live on a cobbled road.
If I had to describe it, it's like an old style steering rack that's loose.
Hard to track down as i think its in the bulk head, and that's tricky to see.
But it must be knocking against something that transmits it through the front end making us all suspect the suspension.
Mike
 
Skinny Mike said:
That's the one. Really noticeable as I live on a cobbled road.
If I had to describe it, it's like an old style steering rack that's loose.
Hard to track down as i think its in the bulk head, and that's tricky to see.
But it must be knocking against something that transmits it through the front end making us all suspect the suspension.
Mike
Click to expand...

To me it sounded like the steering rack was loose. It isn't loose but it's something nearby.
Investigation will continue.
 
My experience with drop links on other cars is that cheapo parts are often either short lived or noisy from new - they are not expensive so why not stick on a good new one and see
 
it can only be the droplinks, I've had two sets in 2 years on my 2004 tdi facelift, just replace them, they aren't expensive so why worry. just my thoughts
 
thebluemax said:
it can only be the droplinks, I've had two sets in 2 years on my 2004 tdi facelift, just replace them, they aren't expensive so why worry. just my thoughts
Click to expand...

Mine isn't the drop links. I've got Delphi links on at the moment and Bearmach before those. The noise is still there, so drop links can be discounted. The lower arm is next on my list to change.
 
Nodge68 said:
Mine isn't the drop links. I've got Delphi links on at the moment and Bearmach before those. The noise is still there, so drop links can be discounted. The lower arm is next on my list to change.
Click to expand...
Likewise, Delphi's fitted OEM spec.
Wish it was the drop links, would be easy to sort.
The other thing that keeps crossing my mind, is a vibration of sorts of the under tray. But I'm not convinced.
Mike
 
Skinny Mike said:
Likewise, Delphi's fitted OEM spec.
Wish it was the drop links, would be easy to sort.
The other thing that keeps crossing my mind, is a vibration of sorts of the under tray. But I'm not convinced.
Mike
Click to expand...
Mine knock is there even when the sump guard is removed.

I had a similar noise on my ZS. That turned out to be the shocker it's self. I think Ali had a similar knock, that was cured by replacing the complete strut.
 
Skinny Mike said:
I've replaced drop links and track rod ends and given everything else a once over. I'm now starting to believe the sound is unrelated to the suspension and is being transmitted from another part, but sounds like the suspension.
So far I've narrowed it down to (possibly) one of the linkages? Going from the footwell through the firewall.
As ever, it's having the time and a willing assistant who will hit/push/prod everything whilst I lay under the car and try and trace it.
This noise has been reported ever since I've been on this forum (2009) and, as yet, no definitive answer has been put forward.
First one to find it gets a free 10p mix;)
Mike
Click to expand...
Can you not record the sound for us and post it up??
 
Madmustang said:
Can you not record the sound for us and post it up??
Click to expand...

Errrrrr, never thought of that:oops:

When I get it back I'll have a go. Neighbours might look at me a bit funny whilst I'm driving up and down our cobbled road trying to hold the phone in one hand and stop my whippet bouncing around the car with the other. It's like a rollercoaster and it's a dead end.
E' bye gum, it's grand in Yorkshire. And I'll have to dodge that sodding kid on his bike delivering Hovis bread.:)
Mike
 
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