Hi,

Got a 2003 Octy vRS estate.

When turning left i've noticed a slight clonking noise coming from the front. Any idea what this is likely to be? CV joint? Front ARB bushes?

Cheers,

Mike

Yes, it's likely to be one of a CV joint, ARB mounting bushes and ARB droplinks. I'd incline towards the CV joint if it knocks when turning, bit not when going over bumps, or to the ARB if it knocks on bumps.

if its knocking on full lock & the noise goes when you straighten the wheels up it will be a worn cv joint,maybe have a look for a split cv boot,if its split it could of been letting water etc into the joint.

All the CV boots are in good condition with pretty much zero play, as are the drop links (had the car up in the air this afternoon).

Checked the radiator mounts- not much play, and the exhaust mount.

However - when driving over speedbumps the car now sounds like a bag of spanners. So i'm thinking it's a bushing somewhere. The front ARB looks pretty rusty at where the bushes are (I greased them tonight so will see if it makes an improvement) so I"m thinking that's probably the culprit. Looks a pig of a job to DIY so will book it in at a local indie - anyone got an idea of cost of parts/labour for it?

Cheers,

Mike

Ah, if the ARB is rusty around the mounting bushes, that's probably the cause, and yes you need a new ARB and mounting bushes to fix it.

Quick update - took it to a local indie. They suggested drop links....replaced them as I got them cheapish from GSF, no improvement :(

The creaking noise seems more prevalent when going over bumps on the offside front wheel, nearside wheel does make the noise but it's not as loud. People still reckon this is probably the ARB bushes? The garage had the droplinks disconnected and said they couldn't get the ARB to make a noise (although I personally think the corrosion speaks for itself). Or are they any any other bushes that tend to go (wishbone? subframe?).

Cheers,

Mike

Edited 12 May, 200917 yr by Ynox

Hi matey,

No there isn't any other bushes.

It will be the ARB bushes and to be honest I would just get a complete ARB (it also comes with new bushes and mounting plates) as in my past experience I have changed them 4 times now, including putting uprated poly bushes in to - but after a few months it came back.

I bit the bullet and bought a new ARB and it's been great for 6 months now. The new ARB has a raised metal area where the bush sits to and the new brackets are plastic coated at one end to stop rattling (which is the spanner noise you are talking about). The old ARB just had plastic inserts to mount the rubber on.

HTH

OK, guess i'll find another local garage (any recommendations in Cardiff/Newport?) and get them to replace the ARB and bushes.

Cheers for your help.