Member Since: 31 Mar 2015
Location: Highlands
Posts: 100
ARB bushes and geometry
Getting a bit of a knocking sound over bumps and potholes. I was thinking this might be the front ARB bushes - any ideas? Done 84k miles.
Supplementary question: does the geometry need to be reset after replacement of ARB bushes?
And does anyone know of a place to get geometry reset north of Inverness? ( or even in Inverness?)MY2010 D4 3.0 TDV6 HSE Stornaway grey
16th Apr 2016 9:33 pm
Disco_Mikey
Member Since: 29 May 2007
Location: Dundee, Scotland
Posts: 20746
ARB bushes won't affect alignment, though I suspect your knock will likely be front lower arm bushes at almost 90k miles My D3 Build Thread
Member Since: 22 Sep 2014
Location: Hereford
Posts: 2284
One of my rear ARB links is knocking so I plan to change both links, D rubbers, brackets and bolts.........just to make sure!
On a side note Mike, I had an MOT advisory for slight play in my front arms, would you change them right away(they aren't knocking yet) or see if they hold out for a while?
16th Apr 2016 10:10 pm
Disco_Mikey
Member Since: 29 May 2007
Location: Dundee, Scotland
Posts: 20746
I have seen 6 month old arms/bushes be advised on MOT's. I would wait until they clunk, or you notice a deterioration in handling/stability My D3 Build Thread
Member Since: 22 Sep 2014
Location: Hereford
Posts: 2284
I like the sound of that, thanks
17th Apr 2016 12:22 am
JksD4
Member Since: 31 Mar 2015
Location: Highlands
Posts: 100
Thanks Disco-Mikey, I did have a look at the ARB bushes and they didn't appear too bad visually, but you never know with rubbery types of material how much they may have softened.
My main issue with doing front arms is finding somewhere with the right equipment to do geometry alignment - I've seen posts about places having 'hunter' equipment, but no idea if there are any in the far north (Caithness)MY2010 D4 3.0 TDV6 HSE Stornaway grey
17th Apr 2016 9:43 am
Disco_Mikey
Member Since: 29 May 2007
Location: Dundee, Scotland
Posts: 20746
Member Since: 31 Mar 2015
Location: Highlands
Posts: 100
It might come down to the difference between a knock and a clunk - which can be interpreted differently by each person.
Is there any way to determine whether it's the ARB bushes or the Front lower arm bushes? It looks like the ARB bushes are cheap and relatively easy to do, so would it be worth doing them in any case if you're getting the lower front arms done.
Disco-mikey: I presume you can get the geometry done somewhere close if you the do the front arms at your place?MY2010 D4 3.0 TDV6 HSE Stornaway grey
17th Apr 2016 10:21 am
Disco_Mikey
Member Since: 29 May 2007
Location: Dundee, Scotland
Posts: 20746
Yes, there is a Hunter equipped place in Dundee, 3.5 miles from the workshop
If you jab the brake pedal sharply, when travelling below 15mph, and there is a simultaneous knock/clunk, it's a symptom of lower arm bushes.
That said, worn arm bushes can also mask ARB noises. It's not a huge deal to replace the ARB bushes at the same time though My D3 Build Thread
Member Since: 31 Mar 2015
Location: Highlands
Posts: 100
Thank you - I will give it a try next time out.
My D4 is one of the earliest - 47th in the Vin sequence - so it's coming up for 7 years and needs quite a few things: front and rear cam belts, could do with a transmission flush, sounds like front lower arms, and may as well do ARB bushes.
Probably a bit too much for me as my driveway isn't totally level and with just axle stands not ideal for a lot of work underneath the beast. I'll drop you a PM mikey.MY2010 D4 3.0 TDV6 HSE Stornaway grey
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
