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MG MGF Technical - Suspension issue bang sound?

Hi all

When going over pot holes or small speed bumps I get a metallic bang (knock) sound from the front near side of the car. It is more noticeable when breaking to slow down. Happens even at 15 mph over pot holes. The car is 7 years old and has done 60,000 miles. I have looked at:

Suspension height = 340 (with lowering knuckles)
Shocks no signs of leaks or damaged rubbers.
Quick look at suspension joins just visual no signs of damage.

Any ideas what it could be?
Dave

Have you tried pumping the top suspension link inner bearing with grease. It is, after, all based on a Mini, and is a needle roller bearing. Surprising how often it needs attention.
Jerry Herbert

Jerry

I have not tried this. Where is the grease nipple and is there more than one?. It must be hidden some where as was not visable when I looked. Also if this was dry would this make this type of sound.

Dave

Top suspension link, one grease nipple, probably hidden under some old dirty grease!! Pump until clean grease emerges, and noise of expelled air ceases. Clean off the resultant mess, and see what happens next time out. The bearing can wear, and give rise to fore and aft movement, which could be the noise on braking?
If it works, you get away with it for some time if you grease it regularly!!
Jerry Herbert

That's a good thought Jerry! My '96 car developed the same noise last year, but mysteriously disappeared when the subframe bushes were replaced. Might be related to the bushes - or it could be because the wishbone bearings were re-greased at that time?

Dave, do let us know whether this works :o)
Rob Bell

Being old and nerdy, I grease them quiet regularly: every 3/4 months, as long experience of Mini rebuilding has proved its worth. It is realy quiet crude, but still effective in dealing with the high forces put on it by the suspension spring.
Jerry Herbert

Rob

I will re grease the bearings but would like to see if the sub frame bushes have worn, whilst have the car jacked up and wheels off. Any ideas how I check these
Dave

I am not aware of any hard or fast rules on telling whether the bushes are failed whilst the subframes are still in the car Dave. Inspection is probably the best approach - look to see whether the rubber has significantly degenerated (splits in the rubber etc)

The reason why I had mine changed was for improved suspension geometry control - I had the alloy TF mounts fitted in place of the original rubber. Made a terrific difference, and I am delighted with the result. Worth considering if you enjoy driving your car hard (and very worth while for the track day warriors amongst us! ;o))
Rob Bell

Rob, Jerry

I borrowed a grease gun and greased the nipples until grease run out at the other end to get a good lot of new grease in. I also did the back. Easy job took just half an hour. It did not take the noise away. The Car will have an MOT this week so this should pick up the cause. I let you all know.
Dave

Probably needed a good grease anyway!!! Try the calipers/pads as a last resort. Caliper fixing bolts to the hub, sliding surfaces, loose pads etc. A little slack anywhere can make a lot of noise - worth trying.
Jerry Herbert

This thread was discussed between 05/09/2005 and 07/09/2005

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