They say it happens in threes >:(

RG · 06-04-2008, 08:41 PM

Well things can't stay all good for too long and things always happen at the worst possible time. With the mrs car out of action (permanently) due to a tree branch last Wednesday in the storms and the replacement, her nans, in such a bad state I wouldn't drive it in a paddock it was naturally the XR's turn for a problem.

So getting to the point of this thread/rant, I have an odd noise coming from I now think the front passenger corner of the XR. I noticed it when taking off a few times from traffic lights last night on the way home which at first made me think it was auto related but tonight as I was pulling into my driveway I heard it again.

It sounds like a groaning/moaning sound making me think brakes or wheel bearing related. It only does it at very low speeds, taking off or coming to a stop with the steering not straight. Any thoughts before I take it in to a brake/suspension shop.

**Whoosha** · 06-04-2008, 08:44 PM

Check wheel nuts. Bluprint Micks ute had the same problem last week end

RG · 06-04-2008, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Whoosha

Check wheel nuts. Bluprint Micks ute had the same problem last week end

Were they too tight or loose, I just re tightened mine the other day.

**Whoosha** · 06-04-2008, 08:48 PM

Loose. failing that dont mess with it get it checked properly .. too late when you figure its a bearing or steering component breaks whislt driving it

**Stav** · 06-04-2008, 08:50 PM

From a bloke that has virtually every part of the car break ..it sounds like..worn pads.. worn left lower ball joint....Does it happen when turning into corners slow as well ?

RG · 06-04-2008, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Whoosha

Loose. failing that dont mess with it get it checked properly .. too late when you figure its a bearing or steering component breaks whislt driving it

Too true, only problem is with all the other cars out of action I don't have any choice but to drive it tomorrow. Got to do 60 odd k each way up the freeway too.

:

RG · 06-04-2008, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stav

From a bloke that has virtually every part of the car break ..it sounds like..worn pads.. worn left lower ball joint....Does it happen when turning into corners slow as well ?

Haven't heard it on slow corners and the pads were pretty good when they went in 6 weeks ago, Shaynets old premos from the TL50 so I don't think that is the problem. Unless of course I've given them a bit of a hard time (I have) and something has gone awry and needs to be re tightened. I should mention there has been a bit of a creak from the front end when I reverse over a bump/out of a driveway at low speeds that has been there since I got the car so maybe a lower ball joint is the problem.

InfernoSR · 06-04-2008, 10:14 PM

I've replace 95% of suspension rubbers, and i've had that issue... ball joint and A-Arm rubbers where my issue...

**Mechan1k** · 07-04-2008, 04:47 AM

get the bushes checked out ... I have a squeak in the front (and a rattle) that is starting to annoy me.

Could be any number of bushes ... My next ones to replace on my ute are the swaybar bushes.

Best thing to do ... get one of those safety checks and see what the come up with (go to someone reputable though just to make sure they aren't telling you porkies).

RG · 09-04-2008, 11:30 AM

Noise got slightly worse over the last couple of days so along with my groaning there is a "cracking" sound too. This is all good though as it made it easier to find the problem. Lower balljoints are not in a real good way so it's off on Friday for that and to get the IRS top shock mounts replaces at the same time as of course being 50k since they were last done they are shagged. For now I am "driving" a Hyundai Getz....YAAAY not.

blueoval · 09-04-2008, 12:23 PM

I had a similar situation with my AU and ended up going to pedders to get a 28 point safety check for $14. Found out my lower control arm bushes were shagged as well as 'd' bushes on the front sway. Got them fixed and it steers sweet now.

My advice is, get it inspected & diagnosed first. Then make up your mind as to what you want to do.

RG · 09-04-2008, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blueoval

I had a similar situation with my AU and ended up going to pedders to get a 28 point safety check for $14. Found out my lower control arm bushes were shagged as well as 'd' bushes on the front sway. Got them fixed and it steers sweet now.

My advice is, get it inspected & diagnosed first. Then make up your mind as to what you want to do.

That's what I had done this morning. These are the things the inspection showed up, not a pedders one as the pedders up here is pretty dodgy. All up it will cost me less than $500.

blueoval · 09-04-2008, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Russell

That's what I had done this morning. These are the things the inspection showed up, not a pedders one as the pedders up here is pretty dodgy. All up it will cost me less than $500.

Thats a good price Russell. How does the car drive now?

RG · 10-04-2008, 01:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blueoval

Thats a good price Russell. How does the car drive now?

Gets done on Friday, atm is it a bit jittery and nervous over mid corner bumps which is not a usual characteristic of the AU.

As for price I have saved myself $50 by shopping around with Ford dealers. Ford up here wanted $102 a side for the mounts where as City Ford in Melb. (on the way to work) only wanted $77 a side. Suspension joint is only charging me $100 to install them because they are doing the balljoints at the same time.

blueoval · 10-04-2008, 10:59 AM

I reckon it should be a well noticeable difference. Something certainly worth doing.

Those prices dont sound too unreasonable. Shopping around has paid off.

Let us know how it feels over the weekend. ;)

RG · 10-04-2008, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blueoval

I reckon it should be a well noticeable difference. Something certainly worth doing.

Those prices dont sound too unreasonable. Shopping around has paid off.

Let us know how it feels over the weekend. ;)

Shall do, I'll even post up a couple of pics so we all know what a shagged mount looks like lol.