Hi,

Have had an intermittent clunking noise coming from the front nearside for quite a while. Thought I would get underneath to diagnose the fault and found that my ARB bushes were literally crumbling when I touched them. The car had the newer 19mm ARB fitted about 3 years ago - could it be that the bushes have gone that quickly?

I am planning an upgrade to powerflex bushes - is this an easy job to do yourself?

Thanks,

Jim

All depends on the mileage you do, the road quality of the routes you take regularly and the aggressiveness of your driving.

I had new ARB bushes a bit over a year ago and I've got an intermittent knock over rough roads that's def not the console bushes.

I think it's my ARB bushes or perhaps more likely in both our cases a worn drop link? Or, maybe a top mount?

Is it's like a sprung metallic knocking? that happens over bumps but doesn't really have a specific cause?

The cars based on this platform really are just a tad under engineered on the front suspension setup really, aren't they.

All depends on the mileage you do, the road quality of the routes you take regularly and the aggressiveness of your driving.

I had new ARB bushes a bit over a year ago and I've got an intermittent knock over rough roads that's def not the console bushes.

I think it's my ARB bushes or perhaps more likely in both our cases a worn drop link? Or, maybe a top mount?

Is it's like a sprung metallic knocking? that happens over bumps but doesn't really have a specific cause?

The cars based on this platform really are just a tad under engineered on the front suspension setup really, aren't they.

Console bushes were replaced with Cupra ones a couple of years ago, the drop links were also replaced at this time and visually 'appear' to be OK.

Clunk mainly occurs at slower speeds over small bumps in the road.

Edited 25 July, 201015 yr by jimbell

Console bushes were replaced with Cupra ones a couple of years ago, the drop links were also replaced at this time and visually 'appear' to be OK.

Clunk mainly occurs at slower speeds over small bumps in the road.

They are pretty easy to replace yourself. You will need a ring spanner with a slight angle on it to get the bolts out of the offside bush as the driveshaft is in the way, but the nearside is easy enough. Pop the car up on axle stands at the front, but keep the weight off the wheels/suspsension. You'll want to take off the front wheels for access. Just make sure you have the split in the ARB bush on the bracket side as apposed to the chassis side. 30min job.

They are pretty easy to replace yourself. You will need a ring spanner with a slight angle on it to get the bolts out of the offside bush as the driveshaft is in the way, but the nearside is easy enough. Pop the car up on axle stands at the front, but keep the weight off the wheels/suspsension. You'll want to take off the front wheels for access. Just make sure you have the split in the ARB bush on the bracket side as apposed to the chassis side. 30min job.

Thanks for your help. So can these be replaced without removing the ARB?

I have been informed by my garage that they fitted ARB with part number: 6Q0411305AB, could anybody tell me for definite if this is the newer 19mm bar?

Many thanks,

I think it's my ARB bushes or perhaps more likely in both our cases a worn drop link? Or, maybe a top mount?

Is it's like a sprung metallic knocking? that happens over bumps but doesn't really have a specific cause?

Do let me know what you find. I'm experiencing similar 'knocky' symptoms to you. Not had a good look underneath yet but it's not lower arm bushes or ball joints as these sorted recently.

It's a kind of light knocking when rolling over small bumps? Hard to pin down exactly where it's coming from - sometimes even sounds like it's at the rear!

drop links, gsf sell these for about 11 quid solved my knocking problems

Do let me know what you find. I'm experiencing similar 'knocky' symptoms to you. Not had a good look underneath yet but it's not lower arm bushes or ball joints as these sorted recently.

It's a kind of light knocking when rolling over small bumps? Hard to pin down exactly where it's coming from - sometimes even sounds like it's at the rear!

UPDATE: Replaced ARB bushes - quite a cheap and easy job with a set of Halfords advanced ratchet spanners. Whilst examining the front suspension it was obvious that there was a lot of movement in the nearside drop link at the ARB end. I will be ordering and fitting new drop links ASAP and will let you know the outcome.

UPDATE: Replaced ARB bushes - quite a cheap and easy job with a set of Halfords advanced ratchet spanners. Whilst examining the front suspension it was obvious that there was a lot of movement in the nearside drop link at the ARB end. I will be ordering and fitting new drop links ASAP and will let you know the outcome.

Seen these?

Good Drop Links

Seen these?

Good Drop Links

Hi,

I did consider these when browsing the forum but decided to go for the genuine ones that look very similar - and certainly different to the ones I took off.

The part number I used was: 6Q0411315N.

I found the easiest way was to crack the nut off at each end and angle grind the rest off as mine were well corroded.

More importantly replacing both sides has solved the clunking/ knocking noise.