Member Since: 10 Nov 2010
Location: Bristol
Posts: 46
lateral play in front wheels
Hi
at service before christmas (by seemingly good and helpful independant) it was mentioned that lower front arm bushes would need doing soon and as i have mot at the end of the month, thought i'd better have a look -there was some movement in the bushes when 'wobbling' laterally hub/arm with force, but didn't seem too excesive.
More worrying to me was a very small amount of very free lateral movement, equal on both front wheels (similar to tie rod end ball joint or wheel bearing going). I have read another thread which suggested that this could just be 'a feature' of the car (or tie rod ends, but i didn't think so in brief time i had looking at it on saturday morning in the rain).
Car is 2007 and has done 76K. Tyre wear is even, car doesn't tramline and steering feels pretty tight. i do have slight knocking noises when going along, but no 'serious' clunking, ARB bushes look fine on the front at least. Service guy didn't mention it so i assume it isn't an issue.
So, do most cars have this?!
thanks
Ben
17th Jan 2011 2:21 pm
bigdave Site Sponsor
Member Since: 04 Jul 2008
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Ball joints and or wheel bearings.
If it is the ball joints make sure you get them replaced with the up graded and stronger version.
Known weakness on the D3.
Best off luck.
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Ball joints, if the sound is a clunk.17 Discovery 5 HSE Si6, Fuji White on brown | 07 LR3 SE 4.4 Java Black on Alpaca
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17th Jan 2011 2:35 pm
bwall027
Member Since: 10 Nov 2010
Location: Bristol
Posts: 46
thanks for the replies, will try to have a look again. there isn't really any clunk or knock, just a small amount of horizontal play (into the steering rack) - identical on each side. steering wheel does move with it, but if steering wheel is held, you are still left with a little movement
assume wheel bearings would have translated into obvious vertical movement as well. not sure if there is any vertical play at all as i didn't get as far as levering a bar under the wheel
if it is ball joints then will get replacement arms given bushes are on their way out as well.
it just seems odd that the service guy didn't state anything given he mentioned that bushes (and front pads) need doing soon (and he was right on both counts on inspection) but no mention of anything else...
17th Jan 2011 2:57 pm
CMG
Member Since: 12 Jul 2010
Location: USA
Posts: 956
My understanding is that if it were the hubs, that it would grind more than clunk.
Turn the wheel all the way to one direction, and see if you can see any rips on the ball joint boots.17 Discovery 5 HSE Si6, Fuji White on brown | 07 LR3 SE 4.4 Java Black on Alpaca
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17th Jan 2011 5:59 pm
bwall027
Member Since: 10 Nov 2010
Location: Bristol
Posts: 46
Hi CMG
haven't really got any grinding or clunking as such (but do have a very light occassional knocking noise under normal driving - which may not even linked.)
cheers
Ben
17th Jan 2011 6:20 pm
al cope
Member Since: 08 Nov 2005
Location: Oldbury, WM
Posts: 10300
I seem to recall there is supposed to be some lateral float - but cant remember who told me this.
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17th Jan 2011 8:32 pm
DiscoDunc
Member Since: 08 May 2006
Location: Bristol
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I had the same and my tie rods are being done at the moment. well, not at 22:30 at night, but you know what i mean....Duncan
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17th Jan 2011 11:28 pm
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Dunc, did yours feel a bit 'floaty' before you had it done?Bodsys Brake Bible
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17th Jan 2011 11:35 pm
DiscoDunc
Member Since: 08 May 2006
Location: Bristol
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i was getting a bit of vibration throgh the front wheels. TFC pointed it out when he came to check the suspension errors.
The D3 and sankey trailer is at the garage at the moment having stuff done !!, so should know if it drives better in next day or soDuncan
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17th Jan 2011 11:50 pm
chrisbowler
Member Since: 30 Jan 2009
Location: UK WALES
Posts: 176
If the engine is not running, you can get movement lateral - but that goes away when PAS pump is running
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18th Jan 2011 12:19 am
bwall027
Member Since: 10 Nov 2010
Location: Bristol
Posts: 46
checked it with engine running, PAS didn't appear to soak up the movement. It seems to be from the hub and therefore pointing to the bearing, but there's not the same in vertical movement and it's identical each side.
Although it's so minimal it's hard to tell.
Oh well MOT will no doubt advise if there is an issue...
Could be bearings both sides ........ both sides on mine had to be done for MOT
20th Jan 2011 7:51 pm
truck5181
Member Since: 31 Dec 2010
Location: york
Posts: 54
just had mine in for pre test and service inspection, told them about knocking from front when off road thinking the bushes would need replacing only to be told the rack needs to be changed @ only 76k
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........ both sides on mine had to be done for MOT 
