cos192000
Member Since: 19 Feb 2015
Location: Ploiesti
Posts: 65
  
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| Issues after changing front lower control arm bushes |
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Hi,
2010 Discovery 4 with 120 000 km.
I have recently changed the front lower control arm bushes. This was due to the fact that there was a knocking coming from the front of the car when going over rough terrain at low speed. Changing the bushes has solved the knocking, however the ride has now become a bit unpleasant especially at lower speeds. The steering wheel will follow any pothole on or anything that makes the surface of the road uneven unless I hold it firmly. If left uncontrolled the steering wheel will go, depending on the surface of the road almost half circle sometimes. This happens both to the left and right. Depending on the road surface sometimes I have to correct it while other times it will straighten itself or go all the way to the opposite direction. While going on motorways this issue is greatly reduced although I can still feel the steering wheel moving a bit when going over small obstacles.
The car has been into 2 Land Rover garages as well as one independent garage. All three have confirmed that everything is OK with the suspension. Power steering fluid level OK. The tires are the same as before and looking good so can't be the cause. Alignment has been done after changing the bushes.
Any ideas about what might be causing this behavior?
Thank you and please excuse my English.
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 7th Oct 2015 6:32 pm |
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cos192000
Member Since: 19 Feb 2015
Location: Ploiesti
Posts: 65
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No,will do, thank you. But steering wheel doesn't feel heavy nor notchy.
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| 7th Oct 2015 7:08 pm |
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M3DPO
Member Since: 22 Sep 2010
Location: Notts.
Posts: 8106
 
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Have you fitted genuine bushes?
Checked steering inner tie rod ends?
Checked the ride height on both sides?
Checked front tyres are not over inflated?
Checked lower steering column UJ for wear or play?- check the bolts are clamped tight after lubricating the joint.
If all the above is good, the alighnment/camber is out, all four wheels must be checked not just the front.  It can when others can't,
It will when others won't,
It goes where others don't.
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| 7th Oct 2015 7:39 pm |
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LIAMMCL
Member Since: 27 Aug 2013
Location: Northumberland
Posts: 404
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Similar thing which is probably worth mentioning on this thread for future readers.
I replaced the whole lower arms with pattern parts from af factors. I have no problem with af factors and have had plenty other service parts from them with no complaints whatsoever.
But this meandering steering has been apparent since having them fitted. It had full laser alignment when they were fitted and when on the move there's no problem. But as per the OP I get the same thing.
I think I'd rather have the knock from the old genuine wishbones.
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| 7th Oct 2015 10:25 pm |
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armalites
Member Since: 17 Aug 2013
Location: Herefordshire
Posts: 1918
 
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I suspect what happens is when the bushes are old and worn/soft they can mask slack in the steering components. When you put new arms or bushes in things tighten up and the steering issues become pronounced. IID PRO
MSV Extreme
Nanocom One
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| 8th Oct 2015 1:41 am |
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cos192000
Member Since: 19 Feb 2015
Location: Ploiesti
Posts: 65
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It's been a while since these issues have started and nothing has changed since.
Everything that M3DPO has mentioned has been checked and all good. The car has been into 3 different LR garages. All have confirmed that everything is OK with the car, all have performed wheel alignments, yet the issue is still present.
I've contacted LR via e-mail thru their customer service form on their website and soon enough one of their local representatives has contacted me. I've been asked to take a video of the hole issue which I did (actually 4 videos just to be sure they get the idea  ). I've posted the videos on Youtube. Playlist here:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLE3...uUK_Ox58Q2
If anybody has any idea please let me know.
Thanks
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| 20th Jan 2016 7:54 pm |
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geoff.
Member Since: 24 Jan 2010
Location: West kent
Posts: 8531
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| Re: Issues after changing front lower control arm bushes |
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cos192000 wrote:Hi,
2010 Discovery 4 with 120 000 km.
I have recently changed the front lower control arm bushes. This was due to the fact that there was a knocking coming from the front of the car when going over rough terrain at low speed. Changing the bushes has solved the knocking, however the ride has now become a bit unpleasant especially at lower speeds. The steering wheel will follow any pothole on or anything that makes the surface of the road uneven unless I hold it firmly. If left uncontrolled the steering wheel will go, depending on the surface of the road almost half circle sometimes. This happens both to the left and right. Depending on the road surface sometimes I have to correct it while other times it will straighten itself or go all the way to the opposite direction. While going on motorways this issue is greatly reduced although I can still feel the steering wheel moving a bit when going over small obstacles.
The car has been into 2 Land Rover garages as well as one independent garage. All three have confirmed that everything is OK with the suspension. Power steering fluid level OK. The tires are the same as before and looking good so can't be the cause. Alignment has been done after changing the bushes.
Any ideas about what might be causing this behavior?
Thank you and please excuse my English.
what your describing is typical of bad wheel alignment
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| 20th Jan 2016 8:26 pm |
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cos192000
Member Since: 19 Feb 2015
Location: Ploiesti
Posts: 65
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Yes I also believe it's a bad wheel alignment yet I find it unbelievable that 3 Land Rover garages were unable to do a proper job.
There are two things that are making me consider this:
- every time I went to another LR garage the first measurements, which were based on the alignment performed by the previous garage, were way out of spec.
- I've asked one of the guys from the last garage I went to if they were putting the car into tight tolerance mode. His reply was that this was not needed and that they were going to lock the car in the low position.
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| 21st Jan 2016 7:45 pm |
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armalites
Member Since: 17 Aug 2013
Location: Herefordshire
Posts: 1918
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If they are setting the car up with it locked in the low position then that will be why it's not handling 100%.
It should be set up in normal height.
As the car lowers the negative camber will increase so if they set it up in the low position the negative camber will decrease at normal height. With less negative the car will feel leass planted on the road. IID PRO
MSV Extreme
Nanocom One
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| 25th Jan 2016 2:15 pm |
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L319
Member Since: 14 Dec 2013
Location: Herefordshire
Posts: 2080
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Agree with armalites, vehicle should be set at normal height. Alignment will be way out if set a low position and give the symptoms you describe.
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| 25th Jan 2016 4:06 pm |
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cos192000
Member Since: 19 Feb 2015
Location: Ploiesti
Posts: 65
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I would like to have a measurement of the current wheel alignment values on an independent machine but not sure how to do this. I was unable to find an independent garage around my area with the equipment to put the car into tight tolerance mode so not sure if the measurements would be relevant. Any way to work around this? I've read that doing the measurements with the engine on and one of the doors open would look the car into the normal operating height. Would this work?
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| 26th Jan 2016 8:01 pm |
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cos192000
Member Since: 19 Feb 2015
Location: Ploiesti
Posts: 65
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Anybody?
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| 28th Jan 2016 7:31 am |
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