Front End Knocking

[Ajreed8]

Recently been having a knocking sound with my 05' LR3. It sounds like it is coming from the front passenger side near the wheel well. I have read a few different things about control arm issues which sound similar to my issue but I was looking to narrow it down before taking it in.

It only happens when I go over rough or bumpy terrain, and I live on a rough and bumpy dirt road, so it happens constantly! I drove over some washboard on both sides (so one side was on the washboard and the other side wasn't) and it only happens with the right side, and only the front end.

 

[Houm_WA]

...sounds like a bushing to me. You can also test it out by idling along at 5 mph or so, then "snapping" the brake pedal. If it makes that sound then it's likely the control arm bushing(s). It could also be the swaybar bushings.

 

[tlt]

You can save a few bucks by bringing in your own parts. I suggest replacing the whole lower control arm. While you are at it, you might consider changing them both. The Roll Bar bushings are cheap, and have been improved over the years it might be worthwhile doing them at the same time.

You will need a 4 wheel alignment when you are done. I recommend a dealer for that. The OEM suspension arms run about 225 online approx.

 

[Ajreed8]

So I have been researching and looking at the car for the past day and a half now and I am imagine it is a bushing issue. I tried the idle and brake thing (while someone else drove and I looked/listened) and that causes the car to make that sound.

I did find the parts online for about $40 a bushing and $260 for the control arm.

Has anyone ever taken this on themselves?

Can you give me instructions if you have?

 

[tlt]

When I just did mine, I bought the whole control arms for the front and just the bushings for the rear.

My mechanics had a heck of a time getting the old bushings out. It would have been cheaper to just do the arms labor wise. The fronts are even worse. In addition, the front lower control arms where improved, with addition of a larger ball joint, and so on.

If you would like to try to rebuild the fronts, I have a used set of upper and lower that need rebuilding I will give you a heck of a deal on. Unless you plan on cutting/dremeling out the old bushings yourself it will not be cost effective to by the individual components.

For the DIY instructions, send me a PM with your e-mail address and i'll mail you some links seeing as this site blocks all competitor links.

 

[jjvd21]

Here are some videos I made a few years back when I had a front clunk. In my opinion the front lower control arms and the anti roll bar bushings cause about 80% of the clunk. I have always suspected that the front top control arms also play a role and wish I had these replaced.

lower control arm - YouTube

Right lower control arm - YouTube

 

[tlt]

I have to say, this is the best video ever demonstrating the problem. How did you do it, attach a digital camera under there or what. Nice work..!!

 

[Skunkape]

Also check the steering input shaft. There is a TSB addressign that as well. I had a rattle felt in the steering wheel, noticed the most when off road, rocky. I had the bushings replaced and it helped but did not eliminate it. The steering input shaft corrected what the bushing did not fix.

 

[tlt]

Anyone have a part number for that steering input shaft?

 

[jjvd21]

I have to say, this is the best video ever demonstrating the problem. How did you do it, attach a digital camera under there or what. Nice work..!!

I used a Flip Mino player and clamp mount. I bought the clamp mount off of ebay for about $10.00 and just clamped it to different parts of the underside until I could get the right angle on the parts in question. Made my discussion with my dealer about the failing bushings a little easier

here's my exact clamp mount but I didn't pay anything close to this: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Pedco-ULTRA...670?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item27c80ea99e