glasgow Posted May 30, 2013 Share Posted May 30, 2013 Hello, all.... This evening while driving the car in a slow traffic I noticed some clunky noise at the rear of the car. At first I thought it is a loose thing in the boot. However, later realised the noise is at the rear wheels/suspension areas on BOTH driver and passenger sides. It is a quick clunky noise that appears when i try to rock the car up and down and also the same noise occurs when the car is rocked front/back... ☹️ I was told a couple of years ago I need to change my drop links, bought them but never had a chance to replace them. However, my understanding the drop links shouldn't do such noise. I will axle jack the car tomorrow, remove the wheels have a look but would appreciate any advice about what this noise could be. (interestingly the noise is on both sides!!!) Thank you in advance Ahmed (2003, SV Dedion suspensions) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stationary M25 Traveller Posted May 30, 2013 Share Posted May 30, 2013 Little rod end bearings on the Watts linkage .... they get very rattly and need replacing regularly. I have a reasonably priced source. Look at the deDion end of the radius arms that run from the front and rear of each rear wing. With wheel off, grab each arm and shake it hard. Quick and easy job to replace the rod ends. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
myothercarsa2cv Posted May 30, 2013 Share Posted May 30, 2013 Are all SVs Watts linkage rears? Can you convert to trailing arm only? Guess you could if the parts were the same for SV and S3... Would save a fortune in rod ends Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
k.russell Posted May 31, 2013 Share Posted May 31, 2013 my droplink were making exactly that noise, in exactly the same circumstances. changed them, noise gone. no watts link on my car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stationary M25 Traveller Posted May 31, 2013 Share Posted May 31, 2013 Those ARB droplink ends are just as rattly and consumable. I ditched my rear ARB some time ago. Car much better without Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glasgow Posted May 31, 2013 Author Share Posted May 31, 2013 Thank you all... End bearings on the Watts linkage: rock solid on both sides.Noise is coming from the drop links. Looks like the ball joints of the drop links have some movements. Not sure if the ones I bought last year are the right ones as the upper joint looks different from the one I currently have... Would appreciate if someone please could confirm if they are the right ones http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2846/8899894308_9482cd97ce_c.jpg and http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3682/8899888892_e970ecaf66_c.jpg I was planning to change the drop link when i take the car to dreadnought for a service after i come back from IOM, but does this drop link now needs urgent attention? is it DIY (just undo upper and lower bolt?!?!) I also found the ARB can easily slide right and left as if the orange rubber is not tight enough to fix it in place - is this normal....? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stationary M25 Traveller Posted May 31, 2013 Share Posted May 31, 2013 The droplinks are held in place by a tiny wire clip that stop it falling off the ball. Edit ... looked at your pics ... they are the same parts Edited by - Stationary M25 Traveller on 31 May 2013 10:29:04 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mankee Posted May 31, 2013 Share Posted May 31, 2013 Remove one of the drop links and go for a drive to see if the noise persists. If it doesn't change them both, job jobbed! I have the same issue with my ARB (overslung type) moving left to right. Rubs on the tyres slightly if I use 205/60s but seems OK with 205/55s. Powerflex make uprated bushes but they are bigger than 1/2" orange standad bushes, so you need to sleeve the bar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FramerateUK Posted May 31, 2013 Share Posted May 31, 2013 Mine rattle a lot too. I had the car up on stands last week trying to work out what the noise was and decided it was the droplinks! Should probably get some replacements in at some point! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glasgow Posted May 31, 2013 Author Share Posted May 31, 2013 can someone please enlighten me what does the ARB and drop links do? and if they are there for a reason why some people remove them?!?! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mav Posted May 31, 2013 Share Posted May 31, 2013 the ARB helps stop the car rolling in the corner. If you dont connect the Chassis to the ARB via the drop links it can't function. Edited by - mav on 31 May 2013 14:02:10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glasgow Posted May 31, 2013 Author Share Posted May 31, 2013 Phoned Dreadnought garage and Brian said, this noise from the drop link is not a big issue, and even if the drop links snapped, the car would be ok to drive. He was happy for me to wait until i come back from IOM... What do you blatchatters think - anyone had them snapped before? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stationary M25 Traveller Posted May 31, 2013 Share Posted May 31, 2013 The ARB is meant to help stop roll on cornering. I found on bumpy corners that when one wheel hit bumps, the ARB transmitted the bumps to the opposite wheel and the car skipped sideways. Removed ARB .... Easy task . .. Much better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FramerateUK Posted May 31, 2013 Share Posted May 31, 2013 We're touring Scotland in a month or so, ours rattles and has since we got it. I wasn't planning on fixing it before the trip. Unless someone thinks it's particularly important? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mostro Posted May 31, 2013 Share Posted May 31, 2013 Can you just reach in and rattle it by hand at standstill? Think my car my have this, will check when I get home Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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