Shortly after fitting
two new radius arms (wishbones) to the front suspension, I became aware of a
knocking/graunching noise on slight left steering lock while driving over uneven
road surfaces.I discounted the radius arms, because two new ones had been
fitted only nine months before, but on examination I found the the inner
nearside radius arm bush had failed. The securing pin had lost the grip of the
rubber bush and the radius arm was moving freely, causing the graunching noise.
It is believed that the radius arm had been torqued up while the vehicle was
still on the ramp while the suspension was not under load. Being clamped up, the
bush was unable to readjust to the new position and failed when placed under
load.
A new radius arm was fitted under warranty by Ford.
