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        General >> Problems >> Suspension clonking Cosworth saloon
        
(Message started by: Jeff on Jan 5^th, 2009, 3:52pm)

Title: Suspension clonking Cosworth saloon
Post by Jeff on Jan 5^th, 2009, 3:52pm

Happy new year everyone, who wants to have a go at this query. I have recently replaced the front suspension lower arms and the anti-rollbar drop rods on my Cosworth saloon. About a month later a definate clonking has developed from the front suspension.
I have inspected all over the front thinking I may have failed to tighten something but all seems OK, no play anywhere as far as I can see. I'm wondering if I have a failed strut. Car has done 80k miles and passed with flying colours last MOT, so how do I establish good struts? The clonking is caused by road bump, and is not constant. Any ideas anyone...difficult to diagnose a noise by email I know.....
oh and btw don't do what I did - like a prize burke - jacked up under the bottom of the front wing. Yes it folded up like cardboard and I now have a ruined wing >:(

Title: Re: Suspension clonking Cosworth saloon
Post by Tompion on Jan 5^th, 2009, 4:30pm

I assume you tightened the wishbone bushes with the car lowered to the ground - so the rubber bushes were in their natural position.

Dave

Title: Re: Suspension clonking Cosworth saloon
Post by Jonnycab on Jan 5^th, 2009, 4:37pm

Have you checked the anti-roll bar bushes ? :)

Title: Re: Suspension clonking Cosworth saloon
Post by Scorpio_Mike on Jan 5^th, 2009, 4:38pm

Check for broken coil spring ???

Title: Re: Suspension clonking Cosworth saloon
Post by Jeff on Jan 5^th, 2009, 5:01pm

As far as I can remember the car was on my ramps at the time but it may be that I did the bolts up before setting it back down on its wheels. (I followed the service manual pages on here so I would have seen the note about weight etc). But if I did fail to put the wheels down first is it any good undoing everything and starting again - will they settle in properly a second time round? Pretty sure I didn't get this wrong, but can't remember for sure. I didn't do the roll bar bushes so might have a go at them. Can't detect any broken springs (by running fingers all around coils).
How do trade check shocks? Look for leaks?

I fancy those roll bar rubbers are the culprits. When global warming kicks in round here I'll get under and do 'em...

ps Tompion, I'm in Woking...or is it Siberia, that's what it feels like today...

Title: Re: Suspension clonking Cosworth saloon
Post by matt1987 on Jan 5^th, 2009, 9:02pm

well im in the trade, i visual look at the spring, touch them and tap them with a screwdriver and listen to them, you can also rock the car side to side and compress the suspension by pushing on the car

all the best

Title: Re: Suspension clonking Cosworth saloon
Post by Tompion on Jan 5^th, 2009, 9:04pm

Yes Jeff pretty darned cold down south in sunny Guildford too :(

Dave

Title: Re: Suspension clonking Cosworth saloon
Post by Highlander on Jan 5^th, 2009, 10:51pm

Checked the link arms??

http://www.fordscorpio.co.uk/linkrods.htm

Title: Re: Suspension clonking Cosworth saloon
Post by Jeff on Jan 5^th, 2009, 11:38pm

Yes, thanks Highlander, replaced them at the same time, but for some reason didn't do the anti roll bar bushes, so they are my prime suspects now. I'll do them and report back for the record.
I'll check my springs as well again as you suggest Matt, thanks for that also. Can't be doing with clonking, it's just not the thing on one of these, is it!

Title: Re: Suspension clonking Cosworth saloon
Post by gozz on Jan 5^th, 2009, 11:56pm

Jeff.
Tompion asked if you had lowered the car onto it's wheels before tightening because if not the bushes are over tensioned and can be torn.I always leave all the nuts loose,lower the car and drive it back and forth to allow the wheels to assume their outermost position,thus ensuring that the car is as low as it will go,then tighten the nuts.
GOZZ.