Ford Scorpio Forum - Print Page


    
      
        Ford Scorpio Forum
        (https://www.fordscorpio.co.uk/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl)
      

        General >> Give/Need advice to/from others >> front clunk FINAL UPDATE
        
(Message started by: Chieftain on Jun 2^nd, 2009, 2:04pm)

Title: front clunk FINAL UPDATE
Post by Chieftain on Jun 2^nd, 2009, 2:04pm

going over bumps I get the front clunk that can be roll bar bushes, wishbone bushes, link arms or steering ball.

How easy is it to determine which is at fault roll bar would be easiest to spot?
[b][/b] ;D

Title: Re: front clunk
Post by Highlander on Jun 2^nd, 2009, 2:28pm

Jack it up and give it a good shake, you should see something move

Title: Re: front clunk
Post by Chieftain on Jun 2^nd, 2009, 2:54pm

;D ;D ;D rather obvious I suppose but is it that easy really?

Title: Re: front clunk
Post by scorpio_man on Jun 2^nd, 2009, 3:07pm

hi there

the only one you'll not see move is the wishbone bushes. the rest will happily rattle about if worn.

hth

Title: Re: front clunk
Post by adzst24 on Jun 2^nd, 2009, 6:33pm

Hi :)
Betts on the link bars then ;D
Adzs.........

Title: Re: front clunk
Post by big_timer on Jun 4^th, 2009, 7:07pm

i had the same knocking/clunking from the front and it ended up the drop links.but where i thought it to be coming from the n/s it ended up having to change the o/s.the knock must have travelled right across the anti roll bar.
just check both when inspecting.and use a reasonable pry bar as theres not much movement around the suspension parts.
i got the droppers for £15 from local motor factors

Title: Re: front clunk
Post by Jonnycab on Jun 6^th, 2009, 4:44am

If it's a real heavy clunk, like metal on metal, then check out the anti roll bar bushes. When they're worn badly the anti roll bar tends to swing too much & strike the bottom of the engine :)

Title: Re: front clunk now I know what it is
Post by Chieftain on Jun 24^th, 2009, 6:14pm

Well at last got chance to have a look and wow found the front left spring had passed its sell buy date, put all back till spring arrives, on checking front right found the lower proting that sits in the bottom cup? has snaopped so guess both need changing.

How hard is it to do? is it a home mechanic type job? have read the repairs section, but has anyone done this and if so what advice. :(

Title: Re: front clunk now I know what it is
Post by Scorpio_Mike on Jun 24^th, 2009, 8:01pm

Changing front springs not difficult but you will need some spring compressors.
Soak the bottom of the strut where it goes into the front hub with WD-40 the night before you are going to do the job ;)
Loosen the top mount before you jack the car up ;)
Check the drop-links too - you may find they also need changing - easy job to do while you are 'in there'.

Title: Re: front clunk now I know what it is
Post by Chieftain on Jun 24^th, 2009, 8:15pm

on 06/24/09 at 20:01:14, Scorpio_Mike wrote:

Mike I assume that if I follow the repairs page on replacing struts I will be ok.

Title: Re: front clunk now I know what it is
Post by Scorpio_Mike on Jun 24^th, 2009, 8:54pm

Bob,
That looks complicated.
I think the strut can be removed without taking the hub assembly out.
Anyone else ?

Title: Re: front clunk now I know what it is
Post by Chieftain on Jun 24^th, 2009, 8:58pm

Hope so as I thought it looked complicated as well

Title: Re: front clunk now I know what it is
Post by Highlander on Jun 24^th, 2009, 9:07pm

on 06/24/09 at 20:54:47, Scorpio_Mike wrote:

Bob,
That looks complicated.
I think the strut can be removed without taking the hub assembly out.
Anyone else ?

Yep it can, this is how I do it, maybe not the best way but its always worked for me ;)

I usually leave the three bolts on the top of the strut connected
Jack it up, remove the wheel, remove the large bolt holding the strut to the hub
Disconnect the drop link
then use a hammer and bit bit of wood on the hub so it slides down the strut.

I've heard people say the vibration can damage the ABS sensor but touch wood i've never had a problem.

Failing that its not much more work to unbolt the wishbone and track rod end and remove the whole assembly.

Although removing all those nuts and bolts will very rarely be easy, I've had some titanic struggles with some of them things!! ;D

Title: Re: front clunk now I know what it is
Post by Chieftain on Jun 25^th, 2009, 8:57am

Thanks for that Highlander, seems much easier apart from the bolts, but they are going to be a pian no matter what. I assume that track rod and such is left connected? Not really looking forward to doing this but needs must.

Title: Re: front clunk now I know what it is
Post by Highlander on Jun 25^th, 2009, 9:00am

yep, if you slacken the rear wishbone clamp you'll get a bit more clearance if you need it

Title: Re: front clunk now I know what it is
Post by Scorpio_Mike on Jun 25^th, 2009, 9:45am

WD-40 the night before on ALL the bolts you intend to undo ;)
If you have to disconnect the track rod end from the hub carrier you will need a ball joint splitter. Also a torque wrench for putting it all back together.
If you get stuck you can always pop a message on here and I'm sure you will get a quick response from someone.
Good luck, let us know how you get on.

Title: Re: front clunk UPDATE
Post by Chieftain on Jul 1^st, 2009, 5:39pm

Ok update on der clunk, today I followed the instructions from Highllander and Scorpio mike. Started on the side with the broken spring lots of huffing and puffing but out it came. Made a slight change to the instructions in that I had a trolley jack under the wishbone to take the weight and it also helped it all slide back together firsttime. 5 hours, only down side is first time spring compressor used got to the last 1/8 and bang away they went, luckily I am ok although right hand is purple and stiff. Damage limited by my habit of wearing some Canadian drover gloves. Anyway many thanks for advice, will let you know how the other spring goes ;D

Title: Re: front clunk UPDATE
Post by Highlander on Jul 1^st, 2009, 5:53pm

Thats why i usually just swap the strut for another one! safer on the fingers! :)

Title: Re: front clunk FINAL UPDATE
Post by Chieftain on Jul 7^th, 2009, 6:58pm

Wel today I finally fitted the other spring all went together 100% and too it for a test drive and all the clunks have gone. Took a long time but great learning curve. Thanks to all who offered advice.