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MG MGF Technical - Clunking at the wheels

Anyone experience a clunking thud everytime the brake is applied. Annoying an embarassing sometimes as everytime i brake this thud emmits from the front wheels (axle?). I say clunk cause it sounds quite like metal on metal. My disc brakes are due for a change soon but this is a one time thud and then nothing until the next time i break, and thud again! Brake pads were replaced less than 6 months ago...

Any ideas??!

Cheers

JW
JW Ioannou

Folks,

"You are the weakest link."

JW, I was gonna post this as a separate thread, might not be related, but...

I posted last week (ish) about a creaking (thank you Dieter!) noise coming from the front end when turning/braking. Basic investiagtion revealed that the offside anti roll bar bush had disintegrated.

(Rob, pics taken, will do some words and email it all to you Monday.)

So, off I trotted to tackle the replacements today... the dismay...

The front *nearside* ARB link has sheared off (at the roll bar end), leaving what looks like the open end of a spanner hanging from the lower suspension arm.

So, two questions that y'all can hopefully answer before I get into work Monday:

1. Exactly how dangerous is this and/or how much additional stress is it putting on the suspension geometry? Assume that I have removed the two halves of the broken link from the suspension arm and ARB (to stop the creaking).

2. Can these links be purchased on their tod, and if so, from where? (I'm using a 36K-if-you're-lucky ISP at home, don't have the patience for surfing.)

Once again, thanks for your advise.
Col
Colin McIlwaine

Right, second question sorted, everybody must be down the pub for the rugby ;-)

Brown & Gammons, bless 'em:

> MGF ANTI ROLL BAR LINK ASSY LH
> Price: 16.22 + 2.84 VAT = £ 19.06 each
> Stock No: RBM100111

I'll do both of 'em, if one's gone (97 motor), t'other one is sure to go too.

Col
Colin McIlwaine

Jon,
Hi, how are you.
In answer to your question it would be prudent to check a few basics : start with your wheel nuts, should be rechecked after fitting. Are the brake calipers tight, new pads as you have said, are the hubs tight, is your suspension secure and check the bushes and ARB's (as per Colins comments) check for any signs of rust etc, sign of a crack.
Even check your wheels, you have said your roads are rough, what about shock absorbers and mountings. Other than generally following your nose around the front in a systematic search I don't know of anything specific.
Do you have a pair of hands that can work the steering and the brakes while you look, that would certainly help.

Adrian
Adrian Clifford

Nice one, Adrian ;-) Excellent advise to bring a sense of balance after my rant!

I said a couple of weeks ago that I'd stripped the bars off my locknut adapter. I'm now in possession of four new std nuts to replace the lockers. However, despite hammering a 18mm socket onto three of the locknuts and getting 'em off, the front o/s refuses to budge.

Have tried WD40, 3-in-1, blowtorch, the 18mm socket, a 17mm socket, a 16mm socket and short moment of deep prayer. That baby ain't moving ;-( Help!

Col
Colin McIlwaine

Colin,
"FRONT DROP LINKS
Billet ali anodised front anti roll bar drop links and polyurethane bushes, improve the looks,steering and handling response to your MGF or TF with these precision components , fits all MGF/TF -price per pair £36.00 plus vat"
Try these as they are only a few pence dearer than std items and have stainless inserts to prevent the bolts seizing.
Mike.
PS JW if you have the AP calipers then a slight clunk is normal as the pads are a 'loose' fit in the caliper and can clunk as they stop on the thrust pads.

Mike.

Thanks all! Will be taking her down to the shop this week to have a thorough investigation as to what is causing this problem. There's definately something fishy going on with the suspension as it's getting kinda squeeky these days. No AP calipers mike, so that's one down. Will take list as per you advise Adrian and see what we can find...
Will certainly be considering the purchase of poly bushes!!

Have also been thinking of a brake upgrade, so this maybe also be the ideal opportunity that will perhaps rid the car of the dreaded clunk! : ))

All that's needed now is the money... : (

JW Ioannou

Nice one Colin! Look forward to seeing the pix on Monday then :o)

Amazing that the clunk is due to the ARB drop links. Interestingly, I've noticed that my car is making some noise (clunk) as it goes over sharp ridges in the road, so it is possible that I've got a similar problem: I shall have to investigate!


>> 1. Exactly how dangerous is this and/or how much additional stress is it putting on the suspension geometry? Assume that I have removed the two halves of the broken link from the suspension arm and ARB (to stop the creaking). <<

It's not so much of a problem when the car is driven gently - there are plenty of hydragas equipped vehicles running without ARBs because that was how they are designed: a considerable amount of roll resistance is inherent in the design of Hydragas :o)
Rob Bell

@Mike, too late, already ordered ;-( If you're *that* Mike, then I'll fax y'all on Monday for the ali coolant pipes... every time I get under the car, I say to myself, better call that Satur fella :-)

@Rob, you're welcome. Btw, it was more of a grinding noise (rather than a clunk); I'm guessing from the utter state of the bush on the ARB end of the link that it was simply metal-on-metal grinding. D'ya have an email limit on (either of) your addresses... kinda large pics.

@Rob #2, drive it gently? You're kidding, right? LOL!

@All, still no joy on the f/o/s locknut!

Ta,
Col
Colin McIlwaine

": a considerable amount of roll resistance is inherent in the design of Hydragas :o) "
Probably so when on the metro as they were linked l-r or individual units, if driven carefully I doubt that you will have any probs as Rob suggests.
Col yes 'that' Mike;-)
mike

>> @Rob, you're welcome. Btw, it was more of a grinding noise (rather than a clunk); I'm guessing from the utter state of the bush on the ARB end of the link that it was simply metal-on-metal grinding. D'ya have an email limit on (either of) your addresses... kinda large pics. <<

Thanks Col :o)
Hmm - looks as though I have a different suspension noise, but it is still worth me investigating when I get a moment!

Regarding email, no limit that I am aware of - but let me know when you send it, and I'll let you know whether it arrives or not. Best send it to the kcl.ac.uk address.
Rob Bell

>The front *nearside* ARB link has sheared off (at the roll bar end), leaving what looks like the open end of a spanner hanging from the lower suspension arm.

The off-side one sheared on my F some years ago. It sheared at just the right point to rub against the inside rim of the wheel, making a nice ridge (and putting the wheel out of balance).

Ralph
Ralph

Colin, haven't got the pix unfortunately - has the email bounced?
Rob Bell

Rob, sending them today (Wednesday), kind of busy last couple of days. D'ya move from UCL to King's? And is the bit before the @ the same?

I can just use the hotmail if needs be, I've 25%ed the images.

Ta,
Col
Colin McIlwaine

Rob,

Ding! You've got mail. @hotmail and @kings (I hope ;-)

Col
Colin McIlwaine

Ha, just hotmail, then!

Remote host said: 550 recipient <blah> at kcl.ac.uk is invalid

Col
Colin McIlwaine

Just got it from the hotmail account, thanks Col! :o)
Rob Bell

This thread was discussed between 04/02/2005 and 09/02/2005

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