L Suspension Noise

89lseries · Post by **89lseries** » Fri Mar 31, 2006 12:37 pm

My l series has develpoped a clunking noise from the front passenger side. It does it at all speeds constantly, does not change when clutch goes in and coasting, and turns into a creek when slowly turning. All the cvs have no play in them. It will do it when i hit a bump on the road. Vechile in question is a 89l unlifted wagon with all near new polyurethane bushes except D-bushes on swaybar, near new tie rod ends (about 10000klms old off memory), ball joint has no play in it and we have sprayed silicone spray on all the bushes. Also rack eneds still feel fairly tight. Any thoughts on what the noise could be? It is drivin me nuts and i think the noise is gettin slowly worse.

thanks
89lseries

GTlegs · Post by **GTlegs** » Fri Mar 31, 2006 3:38 pm

It is likely to be a wheel bearing

subgiraffe · Post by **subgiraffe** » Fri Mar 31, 2006 4:40 pm

Check that the "C" countersunk washers on the d/shaft spline that lock the hub aren't worn. If they are, it can cause the hub to rock on the d/shaft. Easily solved with new washers or by opening the slot in them with an angle grinder.

AndrewT · Post by **AndrewT** » Sun Apr 02, 2006 12:25 pm

Check for rust around the large triangular mount on the floor body where the radius rod connects. My old L series had rusted out quite badly in there, the bolts had actually pulled their threads out of the floor and it was creaking just like you've described as it flexed.

(hope this isn't the problem but worth a look!)

89lseries · Post by **89lseries** » Mon Apr 03, 2006 11:11 am

Thanks for the replies
I will check the wheel bearings, but they were only replaced 10000klms ago with new bearings after being replaced 10000klms b4 that with new bearings. If it is the bearings i will b wondering what i am doin wrong cause the car is mainly used on road. How do i check if the washers are worn? Do they just look smaller than they should be or will they have grooves or cuts in them or something? I sure hope it isnt what u said about rust around the radius rod bushes, AndrewT but i will check just in case.
89lseries

fredsub · Post by **fredsub** » Mon Apr 03, 2006 11:38 am

AndrewT wrote:Check for rust around the large triangular mount on the floor body where the radius rod connects. My old L series had rusted out quite badly in there, the bolts had actually pulled their threads out of the floor and it was creaking just like you've described as it flexed.

(hope this isn't the problem but worth a look!)

noise here is usually ominous when braking, and will feel like something is is really loose down there with body movement...horrible..and would need fixing pronto...but by your description thats hopefully not it...
Clunking is usually the ball joint, esp when you go over a kerb or something...
bearings hmm..they should last more than 10kkm,but ?
Feel any vibes in the steering wheel?