JamesV6CDX Posted January 4, 2013 Report Share Posted January 4, 2013 Hi Tony and team, hope you had a great Christmas and New Year After 3 years of Omega ownership, I was racking up very high miles, so decided to take advantage of my uncles 2001 3.0V6 S type Jag with 70k on the clock. Car has always driven quite well and is an 'unmolested' version, squeaky clean underneith etc. When I first picked her up there was a very slight knock over bumps, which I knew about. Very slight. I drove the car to Amsterdam, and various places around the UK, no problem, knock always there though. In recent weeks, it's got worse. Over normal medium quality roads, at around 20mph, it's a "clonk clonk clonk" from underneith. Totaly spoils the otherwise lovely ride of the Jag! I jacked up the car onto axle stands and started tugging and prying things to see if I could see anything. The droplinks felt like they had too much give, (anti rollbar links) and the noise sounded just like failed Omega droplinks. So I changed these. Absolutely no change at all, noise still there. I tightened up the 4 nuts on top of each strut, which felt a bit loose, and there is a SMALL amount of play where the steering rack bushes join the car. I tightened these, but it made next to no difference to the play. The noise may be a tiny, tiny bit less, but it's definitely still there. The noise can be heard if you shake the steering wheel quickly left to right at 20mph (on a private road of course ) As I couldn't find anything, I went to my local garage. They had it on a 4 poster, with the weight on the wheels. They used their "shaker plates" and I was looking with them. All of the balljoints and bushes appeared fine, no play could be found anywhere. They said they would easily pass it through an MOT, suspension wise. They spent an hour with me, (at no charge!) and weren't just trying to get me out the door - our family have used this garage for decades, and they do genuinely care and help. So, I'm at a loss. They did mention it might be "undetectable" play in the steering rack... but they couldn't be certain. Yet, the knock is loud and clear (and really annoying!) Any ideas? WIM is a 140 mile round trip.. I'd gladly make it if you deemed it likely you'd find anything.. but your opinion on here would be really welcomed first :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesV6CDX Posted January 4, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 4, 2013 Just to add, with the wheels raised, no noise at all can be heard when steering left to right quickly..same with the wheels on the ground - it only happens when moving.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adam_r Posted January 4, 2013 Report Share Posted January 4, 2013 have you checked drive shaft nuts?.... or checked the cv joints? get the front of the car jacked up and supported. then get someone to hold one wheel whilst you sit in the car and shake the steering wheel side to side... hopefully this will narrow it down to which side is causing this issue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesV6CDX Posted January 5, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 5, 2013 have you checked drive shaft nuts?.... or checked the cv joints? get the front of the car jacked up and supported. then get someone to hold one wheel whilst you sit in the car and shake the steering wheel side to side... hopefully this will narrow it down to which side is causing this issue. Hiya - and many thanks for the reply The Jag is correct (rear) wheel drive, so there won't be any driveshafts/CV joints at the front to worry about. I have done as you suggest - no play can be found at all Cheers, James Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adam_r Posted January 5, 2013 Report Share Posted January 5, 2013 oh yes sorry I do know the jag is RWD.. just forgot . im puzzled as you say it only happens when moving, but not when the car is stationary... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted January 5, 2013 Report Share Posted January 5, 2013 Is the sound metallic or a thud? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesV6CDX Posted January 5, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 5, 2013 Hi Tony, to me it sounds metallic, just like a balljoint clonking away... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
liner33 Posted January 5, 2013 Report Share Posted January 5, 2013 Does the Jag have struts with top mounts?? My Evo used to clonk but i couldnt find any play when i jacked the car up but upon removing the strut you could feel it , luckily it was a common issue as its not something i would usually check Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted January 5, 2013 Report Share Posted January 5, 2013 Were the anti roll bar bushes checked? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted January 6, 2013 Report Share Posted January 6, 2013 If it's metallic then it has to be a joint, all other things like roll bar, top mounts have compliant bushings.... As said the knock is on bump not droop so it's a compression knock?... If it was the lower ball joint you would by know and feel some play in it, seemingly not! I think it is a drop-link. Yoy need to know you cannot test for play in a drop-link with the car jacked up and even less chance if the car is jacked on one side because your loading the drop-link. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesV6CDX Posted January 6, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 6, 2013 Hi Tony / Racer - many thanks for that. I did change both the droplinks - the knocking is still there - loud and clear With both the links removed the Antirollbar did seem very free to move up and down, but, I can't feel any obvious play in the antirollbar bushes? Cheers, James Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bazza Posted January 7, 2013 Report Share Posted January 7, 2013 have checked the exhaust system if its coming in contact with anything ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesV6CDX Posted January 8, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 8, 2013 have checked the exhaust system if its coming in contact with anything ? Yep, It's definitely suspension, zorst is fine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted January 8, 2013 Report Share Posted January 8, 2013 Next thing would be the shock top mount. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesV6CDX Posted January 8, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 8, 2013 Next thing would be the shock top mount. Is there a way to confirm this, without stripping / replacing? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted January 9, 2013 Report Share Posted January 9, 2013 Jack up, check for play and position of the mounts on both sides. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
liner33 Posted January 9, 2013 Report Share Posted January 9, 2013 I found it hard to detect play when the weight was off the wheel , on the Evo at least its a bearing not a bush so unless you can compress the suspension by hand (which you cant) you wont feel the play Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted January 9, 2013 Report Share Posted January 9, 2013 Sometimes you can move a strut up and down on a worn mount. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old cruiser Posted January 9, 2013 Report Share Posted January 9, 2013 Might be worth having a closer look at the lower arms/ wishbone bushes and checking there's no perishing of the rubbers as it could be the metal inner bush moving due to weak rubbers causing the knock. BTW I seem to remember your name on the Omega owners club forum ? from when I had my 2001 Omega, good old cars those, only got rid due to running costs, but do miss it sometimes! Cheers Pete Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesV6CDX Posted January 10, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 10, 2013 Hi Cruiser - Yep that's me! Tony - what would you charge me to take a look at this on the ramp and give me your opinion? I MAY be able to swing by tomorrow afternoon, but it's a provisional at the mo... and obviously subject to you having a spare few mins Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted January 10, 2013 Report Share Posted January 10, 2013 To inspect costs nothing. I need to use the geo ramp and that's fully booked, so the best i can offer is to squeeze you in between but you might have to wait. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesV6CDX Posted January 10, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 10, 2013 Thanks so much Tony. Chances are if it's anything much more complex than a droplink I would be booking it in with you for the work anyway - I am not 100% with all suspension work.. You're an absolute star Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesV6CDX Posted January 15, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 15, 2013 Hi Tony, apologies, I didn't get the chance to pop over hopefully will do in the near future. Noise is still there.. if this helps at all.. if seems worse from cold! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted January 15, 2013 Report Share Posted January 15, 2013 Reads like a bushing if temperature changes the sound, that top mount is in my sights again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesV6CDX Posted January 15, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 15, 2013 Hi Guys, Decided to have another look myself.. I'm stubborn like that. I disconnected both of the antirollbar droplinks again, so I could properly inspect the ARB bushes. I'm not sure how on earth I (and indeed the garage) missed this before, but the ARB bushes are shot. The ARB makes a horrible noise when you push it up and down (just like the creaking I get over bumps!!) and although there isn't a huge amount of play, as such, the side to side movement is very, very free, and you can see how worn the bushes are much more easily with the ARB free. Just as a test (I stress, a brief test) I left the droplinks off, suspended the ARB with a universal securing device (cable tie!) and took a very slow, straight, and careful drive down my road. It would usually knock like mad under these conditions - but it was as silent as a mouse Thanks very much, genuinely, to all of you, for your suggestions and ideas. My last question. I've never done ARB bushes... are they easy enough to change? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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