Member Since: 18 Jan 2006
Location: Western Australia
Posts: 295
Small clunk
Hi everyone,
I am getting a small clunk from the rear part of the offside on my D3 only at very low speeds while reversing or parking, I have checked underneath but am unable to find any obvious places where this may happen. My suspicions are rear upper control arm/s, can anyone offer any suggestions?
The car has just turned over 400,000ks and they are the original arms.
Cheers
RichardK2009 Discovery S 3, BAS tune, EGR Delete, ARB winch bar, Milemarker hyd winch, HF and UHF radios, Rear spare wheel carrier, Roof rack,
Touring: Australian Offroad Matrix IV Camper
8th Oct 2020 12:50 am
PROFSR G
Member Since: 06 Mar 2017
Location: Lost
Posts: 5036
In this part of the world they'd have fallen off by themselves after 400,000 clicks so it's likely that's your problem.
Uneven tyre wear is often a good indicator, but it depends on how long it's been driven with the bad a susp bush. Since you think it's at the rear just have a look at the harmonic balance weights at each rear corner behind the bumper. It's not unknown for them to let go either.
(They will swing smoothly and quietly without obstruction which is as they were intended.yµ (idµ - eAµ) ψ=mψ
8th Oct 2020 2:00 am
RichardK
Member Since: 18 Jan 2006
Location: Western Australia
Posts: 295
The tyres wear well, I get around 100K each set (BFG AT's) harmonic balance weights are smooth so looks like a rear upper arm change. Must say they are originals and we have been on some of the roughest roads in Oz.
Thanks PROFSR G
Cheers
RichardK2009 Discovery S 3, BAS tune, EGR Delete, ARB winch bar, Milemarker hyd winch, HF and UHF radios, Rear spare wheel carrier, Roof rack,
Touring: Australian Offroad Matrix IV Camper
9th Oct 2020 12:43 am
PROFSR G
Member Since: 06 Mar 2017
Location: Lost
Posts: 5036
I meant to say earlier the rear anti roll bar links and bushings can also cause a clunk. They're easily checked with the wheels off. You can then check the arm bushings as well. yµ (idµ - eAµ) ψ=mψ
9th Oct 2020 1:46 am
aja4x4
Member Since: 14 Apr 2019
Location: Westbury
Posts: 2463
Also check your brake calipers, if the sliders are worn and dry they will clunk when changing direction
9th Oct 2020 5:05 am
gareth71
Member Since: 10 Apr 2016
Location: North-east Wales
Posts: 595
I guess it's only people of a 'certain age' who read the title of this thread and immediately get this image in their head...?
Member Since: 18 Jan 2006
Location: Western Australia
Posts: 295
New ARB bushes fitted front and rear, made a substantial difference to the handling.
Looks like the noise is coming from the weights under the back end, will look at them tomorrow to see what can be done.
Cheers
RichardK2009 Discovery S 3, BAS tune, EGR Delete, ARB winch bar, Milemarker hyd winch, HF and UHF radios, Rear spare wheel carrier, Roof rack,
Touring: Australian Offroad Matrix IV Camper
28th Oct 2020 3:10 am
PROFSR G
Member Since: 06 Mar 2017
Location: Lost
Posts: 5036
Hopefully it's not them as you'll have to lift the body to get them out yµ (idµ - eAµ) ψ=mψ
28th Oct 2020 3:23 am
RichardK
Member Since: 18 Jan 2006
Location: Western Australia
Posts: 295
Yes, had a look yesterday, the pass. side is hitting against the plastic moulding behind it and the rubber bush sounds dry. Will have a good look to see what fix I can do without replacing it.
Wondering if I can just jack up the rear of the body enough to do that?
Has anyone had that problem?
Otherwise just use ear plugs!
Cheers
RichardK2009 Discovery S 3, BAS tune, EGR Delete, ARB winch bar, Milemarker hyd winch, HF and UHF radios, Rear spare wheel carrier, Roof rack,
Touring: Australian Offroad Matrix IV Camper
29th Oct 2020 1:02 am
PROFSR G
Member Since: 06 Mar 2017
Location: Lost
Posts: 5036
OK so it does sound like it is the harmonic balancer that's shot. You may be able to effect a short/med term repair with a silicon based product, (sikaflex, tigerseal, et al) but any repair must not prevent or interfere with the free movement of the balancer! These balancers are heavy, and sit over the chassis rail suspended by a flex bushing which allows for it's required movement.
The other option is to raise the rear of the body off the chassis enough to remove/replace it. This will mean removal of a lot of bits including bumpers, mud flaps, wheel arch trims, rear inner wheel arch liners, rear lamps, rear brake hoses, fuel tank filler neck, rear elec block terminal as well as pdc sensor loom, compressor intake line, transmission shift cable, earth strap, spare wheel, etc. There will be some front bits to come off too such as the top rad mounts, bumper, steering shaft pinch bolt, heater hose clamps, and a few more bits I need to think about further.
You could then remove the first 2 rearmost sets of body/chassis fastener bolts. Then you need only loosen the remainder on as graduated scale decreasing as you move forward towards the front bolts.
In the pics below of the o/s balancer you get an idea of how much you need to raise it, which is quite a bit!
Click image to enlarge
Click image to enlarge
yµ (idµ - eAµ) ψ=mψ
29th Oct 2020 2:28 am
RichardK
Member Since: 18 Jan 2006
Location: Western Australia
Posts: 295
Thanks for that PROFSR G, looking at that list I don't think the small clunk is any where bad enough to worry about at present, that looks like a lengthy operation.
Sort of makes me think..... why didn't LR make it in two pieces, cut in half across the top secured by 2 bolts and perhaps 2 locating dowels so that any bush problem it can be easily removed?
But it is LR and my memory strays to the time when my parents had a 1949 Rover (P3?) and it took us half a day to remove the radiator!
Cheers
RichardK2009 Discovery S 3, BAS tune, EGR Delete, ARB winch bar, Milemarker hyd winch, HF and UHF radios, Rear spare wheel carrier, Roof rack,
Touring: Australian Offroad Matrix IV Camper
31st Oct 2020 7:42 am
aja4x4
Member Since: 14 Apr 2019
Location: Westbury
Posts: 2463
I would immobilise them somehow with cable ties or rope just to make sure.
If it is the weights you couldb always then use something more permenent like expanding foam.
31st Oct 2020 9:09 am
PROFSR G
Member Since: 06 Mar 2017
Location: Lost
Posts: 5036
You can't obstruct them permanently!yµ (idµ - eAµ) ψ=mψ
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
so it's likely that's your problem.
