Member Since: 25 Jul 2017
Location: Bradford on Avon
Posts: 227
New V8 owner – Issues & question about parts?
Firstly, hello everyone! I’ve been lurking for a year or so whilst I made up my mind about buying a Disco3. I am now the owner of a 05 4.4 HSE V8 in Java Black.
It’s great and I’ve already christened with a few scratches driving around green lanes near Thetford Forest and along Peddars Way – I highly recommend the ViewRanger app for finding these.
So as usual I have a few issues:
The front suspension knocks and feels a bit loose
A whining/scraping noise from about 10mph (wheel bearing?)
Air suspension dips at the front overnight (valve block seals?)
Parking sensors inoperative (wiring or sensors)
• Nearside Front wheel bearing has slight play (2.5.A.3c)
• Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement rear (5.3.4 (a) (i))
• Offside Front Lower Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement rear (5.3.4 (a) (i))
I guess this would explain my first two issues?
My question is where is the best place to get quality parts (OEM or aftermarket) to fix these? I am a pretty competent mechanic so happy to do the work but I have a personal hatred of cheap chinese parts made of cheese.
I know Timkin good bearings for the front, any suggestions for the rears? I noticed britishparts do cheap front arms or rebuild kits, are these any good or should I buy a £300+ pair of OE ones.
Thanks in advance all!
Last edited by MintyHit on 14th Aug 2018 1:04 pm. Edited 1 time in total
14th Aug 2018 12:43 pm
Mogwyth
Member Since: 03 Oct 2014
Location: Pwllheli
Posts: 3976
Advanced Factors and there is a forum discount,look in the sp9nsors section.
And welcome to club V8==================================
05 D3 HSE V8 4.4
04 MG TF 135
03 MG TF 115 Cool Blue Edition
02 MG TF 160
00 Hymer B564 Lionheart
1971 Series III 109
14th Aug 2018 12:58 pm
Discomadness
Member Since: 19 Jan 2015
Location: Caerphilly
Posts: 2256
+1 for advanced factors. I used them heavily when I rebuilt my disco recently. Advanced factors do kits for suspension arms/anti roll bars etc Most people upgrade to either Range Rover sport arms/bushes or poly. Personally I’ve gone for Range Rover sport.
Timken bearings are what I always go for. You’ll prob find “genuine” bearings are timken in a different box Jarrod
Current : D3 2007 HSE - AKA the lemon
-beanie grille
-detango with led bulbs
-club body off rebuild. TWICE.
14th Aug 2018 1:23 pm
MintyHit
Member Since: 25 Jul 2017
Location: Bradford on Avon
Posts: 227
Why did you go for RR sport lower arms may I ask? Are they uprated from the V8 ones?
Did you get them from AF?
EDIT: Not to worry, found my answer - they are fitted with a larger ball joint:
Member Since: 11 Aug 2017
Location: Helsinki
Posts: 6563
Welcome to the exclusive V8 club! 8) Please update your profile with the model and make of your vehicle.
This is my opinion only, of course, but Britpart parts and my D3 don’t mix... except the third row floor mat is BP and it functions as designed.
I’ve used OE or genuine parts in my suspension when replacing. ARB bushes front and back were genuine; track rods, toe links, rear knuckle hub bushes also genuine; rear LCAs genuine, stabilizer links were Meyle HD so they’re actually aftermarket. The various filters have tended to be Mann+Hummel or Mahle.
AFAIK Timken is the same as the genuine thing, all that’s missing is the oval logo and the box.
I like the way the D3 behaves (the original behavior), I wouldn’t polybush it. If you want a sports car get one. This probably splits a lot of people’s opinion.
Shopping - AF which has been suggested is quite good and their site is easy to navigate as they’ve taken the time to make collections of the stuff you most likely need. They’re also nice guys to deal with and answer their emails as well. I tend to buy from them and the more obscure items (usually genuine) from Rimmer Bros who seem to have most of what I’ve wanted/needed in stock.. I don’t buy any aftermarket parts from RB as it’s impossible to tell who it is manufactured by when ordering. AF tells you upfront whose kit they’re selling which is quite nice.
Hope this helps.
14th Aug 2018 3:39 pm
MintyHit
Member Since: 25 Jul 2017
Location: Bradford on Avon
Posts: 227
Thanks for all the replies!
I've just ordered a front bearing from AF... this was the only one highlighted as an advisory on the MOT history. The other front had recently been done... why people don't change them in pairs I really don't know.
To be honest from my own tests I think there is more play in the rears than the fronts but they have never had an advisory so I will assume the mot tester knows more than I do and change the remaining front... with any luck that will eliminate the irritating noise.
I'll probably do all the arms & arb droplinks when I get the chance.
14th Aug 2018 4:03 pm
Mogwyth
Member Since: 03 Oct 2014
Location: Pwllheli
Posts: 3976
Oh and we are not allowed our own forum but we do have the next best thing an ongoing thread https://www.disco3.co.uk/forum/discovery-3...65149.html==================================
05 D3 HSE V8 4.4
04 MG TF 135
03 MG TF 115 Cool Blue Edition
02 MG TF 160
00 Hymer B564 Lionheart
1971 Series III 109
14th Aug 2018 4:11 pm
kajtzu
Member Since: 11 Aug 2017
Location: Helsinki
Posts: 6563
A lot of people do funny things to their expensive vehicles.
The previous owner of mine had only ~33000 km ago changed the track rods (and I have driven ~25000 km with it) to ones with no text, logos or stamps.. They were all in the spring and I had to replace the inner and outer on both sides - they’re certainly supposed to last longer.
14th Aug 2018 4:33 pm
Charliecloud
Member Since: 31 Jul 2014
Location: Tonbridge
Posts: 980
Welcome to the V8 club
If you haven't already then check your sunroof drains, as if they have not been replaced ( the elbows) then you are on borrowed time. Lots of threads on here about how to do them and well worthwhile unless you like soggy carpet and electrical gremlins. Use the newer RR Sport elbows as they are of the new improved design.
14th Aug 2018 8:31 pm
kajtzu
Member Since: 11 Aug 2017
Location: Helsinki
Posts: 6563
Yeah, as you mentioned you’ve been lurking for a while - checkout (or search) for V8 specific stuff to fix. The T-piece comes to mind and also the PCV valve in the engine; your trip will end if the former breaks and the engine compartment is full of coolant. The latter is also bad for the engine. Both are relatively easy to replace if they have never been.
Then there’s the front diff breather; since it can become obstructed the fix is to replace it with a D4 part. This one is not V8 specific. Not fixing can lead to front diff.
Archives and search are really a good friends especially if you’re handy with the tools as you said.
14th Aug 2018 8:39 pm
kajtzu
Member Since: 11 Aug 2017
Location: Helsinki
Posts: 6563
I’m rather happy the Finnish HSEs don’t seem to have come with a sunroof by default. One less issue.
14th Aug 2018 8:41 pm
MintyHit
Member Since: 25 Jul 2017
Location: Bradford on Avon
Posts: 227
Update:
So I've changed the other front bearing (MOT advisory) and I've still got the hollow metallic scraping sound - at this point I am starting to think it is one of the differentials or the transfer box so I've contacted my dealer and they are going to look into it for me.
Is a noisy / failing diff covered under my consumer rights? I hope so - looks like a tough job to do myself on the street.
I rebuilt my front valve block though - my suspension no longer loses height overnight so at least that fix was a success! I did find a bit (not much) of white dust in the unit though so I guess the silicone in my compressor is breaking down. Is there a DIY fix for this? I've searched but can't find one.
I'll check the sunroof drains!
Thanks everyone!
16th Aug 2018 9:28 am
Mogwyth
Member Since: 03 Oct 2014
Location: Pwllheli
Posts: 3976
You can get kits to refurbish the compressor dryer from eBay or advanced factors forum sponsor.==================================
05 D3 HSE V8 4.4
04 MG TF 135
03 MG TF 115 Cool Blue Edition
02 MG TF 160
00 Hymer B564 Lionheart
1971 Series III 109
16th Aug 2018 11:18 am
Bungle
Member Since: 07 Apr 2015
Location: Wanborough
Posts: 254
You can fit a new drier, but to be honest if the drier is knackered the compressor is probably on borrowed time as well, especially if it has been working harder with the leaks you had. New compressor comes with a new drier attached. Loads of threads on here about switching to the later AMK compressor (which needs a software update to the ECU) or you can stick with the original style (which I did with no issues, but others have had failures, YMMV).
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I tend to buy from them and the more obscure items (usually genuine) from Rimmer Bros who seem to have most of what I’ve wanted/needed in stock.. I don’t buy any aftermarket parts from RB as it’s impossible to tell who it is manufactured by when ordering. AF tells you upfront whose kit they’re selling which is quite nice.
in the spring and I had to replace the inner and outer on both sides - they’re certainly supposed to last longer. 
