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Lowered car but now have knocking, what do i change first?

3K views 13 replies 5 participants last post by  davealfa11 
#1 ·
Hi ALL,

I Hope you experienced members can help me out, I have JTD 147 on a 2004, which has covered 45k miles only - I recently (just over a month now) lowered the car with a supersport sprint kit, Shocks and springs for a very resonable price, lowered by 35mm all round - the car looks and handles perfectly..

My problem is that approx 3 weeks after lowering i started to experience very bad knocking from the front end, any manhole or pothole i go over is not nice - the shocks and springs do the job well but the noise is driving me mad - i did change the offside drop link bar as this was slightly bent, but was giving me problems before. Can you tell me what i would have to change next - i have been advised to change all front 4 wishbones, but is this entirely nessescary?

Please advise how i can determine what is causing the knocking before i go out and spend more of what i have not got!!

please also advise pros and cons with pattern parts, whats best to buy for least money etcc? thank you
 
#2 ·
First, I'd be inclined to look at the struts again .. were the top mounts correctly fitted? As the knocking wasn't there before I would seriously get whoever did the work to double check for loose connections, etc.

Then replace the other drop link ... you should really replace them in pairs. Are these Alfa parts or off ebay .. the latter don't usually last long .. and I've had a pair for a Pug 206 last less than three weeks!!

Give the top wishbones a good tug about with car up on axle stands. Use the hub up-right and see of there is any movement in the bushes on on the mounting bolt.

PS Welcome to the forum!
 
#3 ·
I think that knocking is usually cased by the ARB, I would certainly have a look at that before replacing all of the wishbones. As for wishbones knocking, I think it's the lower ones which knock but the upper ones just squeak unless they're really knackered. I'm sure someone will come along soon and tell you how to test them.
 
#7 ·
Thanks guys for all of your quick responses, still trying to figure out how to answer you all separately, so for now ill just do on here!

i will do what you have said GAZZA, at the garage tommorow so will get car on axel stands and have a pull around on the wishbones, and double tighten all mounts - the drop links are from alfa - so ok with them.

The noise is like hammer on metal yes??
 
#10 ·
Daft question that i forgot to ask earlier too, i have noticed that the front springs are virtually touching each other - well they seem to group together in the middle with spaces at either end? is this how a lowered spring should look? as for some reason im thinking that the springs could be 'banging together' ? please correct me....
 
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