MaxTheDog1

Active Member
Full Member
Hi All,
TLDR:
Front knocking: bushes 14 months old, 5k miles done since.
Apologies for the essay.
For the past 3/4 months there’s been various knocking/creaks seemingly from the front when going over the usual high quality road surfaces here. In February last year I had the lower front arms with track rods, both front and rear arm bushes, drop links, and ARB bushes replaced from British Parts, not Brit Parts. Since then I’ve done around 5.5k miles, 99.99% on road (148750 to 154000 ish). Sometimes there’s a creak when setting off, others it’s just the ‘thud’ when a pothole or repair is hit. My man who sorts things on the FL has had a look and a quick drive and decided that it’s the ARBs that seem to be the culprit. I thought it might be the engine mounts but he’s given them a thumbs up. Same for the others I had replaced. I do remember when I saw the front ARB bushes that they looked like something for a pedal car they were so small ( hence the good price!). It’s a difficult issue because sometimes there’s no creaking but there is now always ‘thud, thud’. I suggested to my mechanic that I replace the ARBs with poly bushes but have read some don’t like them. For now I’ve ordered some more el cheapo ARBs to be fitted. If the thud disappears I’ll either leave them or put polys in. Is the FL1 known for chewing through front ARB bushes given how small they are and how heavy it is? Any thought on what else could be going on and a remedy would be greatly appreciated.
Regards,
Michael.
 
Thanks JD. What even 5.5k miles limited? Or maybe I bought el cheapo ones. I know Nodge recommends Advanced Factors as a source. 👍🏻
 
AF do a heavy duty drop link. More expensive but I have them on all my Freelanders and they certainly last. Thicker rod and bigger ball joint.
 
I think mine have done around 7000 miles, tempted by the HD ones, or accept changing them every couple of years. Easy enough to change even as a service item when checking slide pin on front brakes.
 
Funnily enough, after reading JDs first response, I went and checked the location of the drop links. Easy enough access and I know he put anti seize stuff on when he did them so might order them from AF after I’ve done the ARBs. Thanks Andy, JD.
 
Thanks Dar ran,
How would I test that? Front up off floor , wheels off and shake? 👍🏻
They are a nightmare to isolate especially if the steering is ok not squeaking
this is my own experience with the vans we run but i was in the same situation as you and changed them in desperation if i am honest but fixed the thudding
The ARB would make a metal on metal noise if they failed i am sure 🤷‍♂️
 
I know this is a weird one but do you have the factory side steps?

I was hearing knocking for ages and it was driving me crazy, replaced all the usual culprits and still knocking! Turns out it was the driver side steps rattling, removed both sides and quite as a mouse!
 
Got the ARBs changed. As per the photo they ok to me. Took it for a test; pretty much the same. Dropp link investigation tomorrow weather permitting.

IMG_3266.jpeg
 
Hi, top suspension (fr) mounts definitely make a creeking noise & cheap drop links will not last (they knock over bumps), Meyle HD ones are probably the best. The only other thing I had on mine was the lower arm rear bush (that I'd replaced with powerflex poly type) creeking in the housing.
 
AndyFreeLandy - Is it ok to do that, obviously only temporarily. What about the nylock nuts, do you have to put a new one on?

Andy Warren - I’ll get the Meyle one anyway. I want it right and the cost is nothing really. I’ll check the top suspension mounts, see if I can get them to make a noise. Also going to check the steering arms.

Thanks to you both. 👍🏻
 
Spot the cause - the front bush bolt on the lower offside arm was about 3mm away from the arm face. Took some faffing to get it torqued to 190Nm with tyres on the ground.
IMG_3267.jpeg
 

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Fitted the Meyle HD drop links today. Completely silent now. Yay!!!
New tyres all round next. Recommendations?: 225/55/17s
Thanks to all for your replies.
Cheers,
Much
 

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