The first 10 minutes or so, driving low speeds around town/out of my street etc, there is a strange knocking noise (appears mainly from the front end when going over small bumps/pot holes/uneven roads), but strangely the noise disappears afterwards.

the noise doesn't sound like metal on metal but rather.......erm hard to explain lol

what could be the reason for this? sounds like something needs replacing soon

Recently had new drop links and top mounts for the front

Also do these coilovers need regular cleaning/greasing (once a year) to keep in tip top condition? if so what's best?

many thanks

Top mounts or bottom arm bushes id sayd, jack the front of the car up and wiggle the wheel and see if you can see any movement anywhere

double check all your bolts around the wishbone and ARB, could need tightening

ok thanks for the replies lads, ill have a check.

Also when braking it makes knocking noises and feels like the brakes are slipping??? I'm guessing this might have something to do with the bushes?

cheers : )

my coilovers do this and it was doing my nut in.. i managed to get it on the ramp when it was making the noise and it is the round metal plate that sits between the 2 springs on the front right coilover in my case, it somehow moves and the 2 springs clunk over bumps then it moves back and stops doing it, i rang the place i got my coilovers from and they said take it off and send it back and they will replace it, i dont have the space for my car to be sat on an axle stand for a week or 2 while i send it back and they send me a replacement so i have just got to get used to it.. it drives me mad, i hate knocking noises..

Had this with my Joms, it was the nut/plate that keeps the insert in the damper, take the strut out, put some loctite on the nut and tighten it back up with a punch (google the problem)