Clunk, clunk and some more Clunk

[Jayce]

Hi All

I was once told, buy a series 3 and you have bought yourself a hobby. Not only that, having a series 3 has improved my deductive reasoning. When that fails, its time to hit the forum.

The following happens to me. My 109 in wet weather and only when going around sharp corners (90 degrees), makes the most aweful clunking noise. I reackon its the springs, or bushes as the clunk's vibration travels right up to my seat. It appears to be coming from the front. It might also be the steering damper?

Confirmation of my suspicions would be great!

Regards

Jayce

[Moeras]

Hozat Jayce

Tire Size?
We normally put 16/750 tires on our Landys as that is the most commonly available here in SA. These tires are to big for the Landys and hit the inside of the Chassis. If it does this, you will see cutts/marks on the inside edge of your tires, take a look at it.
Nothing you really can do about it except replacing the tires with 16/700's (at about R500 per tire more) or just dont turn so sharp!

Just a thought, use it, dont use it!

Cheers Moeras

[Disco]

I'm not that familiar with series LR's, but I'd put my money on something loose in the suspension department. Have you check for worn bushes?

[Bogatyr]

Jayce,
Make sure the torque on your u-bolts is correct...I'd think that would be the cause. But, also check the tie rod ends and the bolts holding the springs to the frame.
Hmm, you're not in 4wd on the road when this happens are you? If so, take it out of 4wd and see if it happens...could be you're binding up the driveline...

Bogatyr

[Jayce]

I think you are right about the u bolt story, had a look at my springs on the rhs. They should I presume line up with each, some seem to be displaced a little left and right. I think I will have to take my 4 pound hammer and knock them back in line and the tighten up the bolts.

I also noticed that the second leave the wraps around the first leave at the bushes has lost that bit tha wraps around if you get my drift. Hope is wont be a problem if I can tighten up the u-bolts good enough.

The tie rod ends might also need a look at as, I noticed that the fron wheels are wearing unevenly. There is more wear on the outer face than on the inner face. Any suggestions on what to do here would be appreciated.

Cheers

Jayce

[Bogatyr]

Jayce,
So you mean that the leaves don't line up with each other... I'd say you should be in the market for new springs shortly...are the clamps that hold the leaves together in place? With that second leaf not wrapping around it does sound that they are in pretty poor shape.

Now, since there is really only one adjustment you can make to the alignment (toe-in) there's no reason not to align it yourself. Just follow the procedure in the manual. If the outsides of your tires are wearing, and assuming that everything else is in order (which it sounds like your springs aren't the best)...oh...hmm, IIRC I was toed in too much and my insides were wearing...so I'd think that you might be toed out too much...it's been a while though so I might be mistaken...in any case, it's an easy fix.

Of course, if your tie rod ends are suspect, change those out before doing the alignment...

Bogatyr

[Snagger]

I had a similar issue after replacing the front dumb-irons. The new dumb-irons had too wide a space between the spring bolt holes, allowing the spring and bush to slide laterally on the spring bolt. Tightening the spring bolt ans nut until the gap was closed did the trick, even though it did mean that the "verticals" on the spring mounts were no longer parallel.

[Jayce]

Hey Snagger

thanks for the advice. Checked out the hangers and well true as bob, there is about an inch room to have them slide around. As I mentioned earlier, the clunking is more prominent in the wet, the water most probably acts as a bit of lube to get the bushes sliding left and right.

This brings me to my next question: did the orginal bushes meet flushly with the hanger's inside face? If not has anyone tried to put in spacers of some sort?

Cheers

Jayce