front end rattle

buckhorn · 17th July 2020, 11:36

Hi, my 2004 75 2.0 cdti has a clonking / rattle coming from front end whenever I drive along especially over bumps. But when I look underneath nothing seems lose or worn. Its not the engine and car seems to handle ok but noise is getting worse, like clonking all the time. Anyone have any ideas please ??

operamagorum · 17th July 2020, 11:42

I have had these symptoms twice now
Ist time was the crankshaft pulley
2nd time droplink (they go quite often on these cars)
Good luck
Geoff

Rogue · 17th July 2020, 12:11

I would guess droplinks too

dattrike · 17th July 2020, 12:11

Most likely front drop links, usually left one (nearside)

Mike Noc · 17th July 2020, 12:57

Jack both front wheels off the ground and get a crow bar and lever the anti roll bar up and down on each side. Any play in the droplink and you will see and hear it. Usually the upper balljoint is the culprit.

.

Arctic · 17th July 2020, 13:26

Do not discount the top strut bearing, but as above first suspect is the drop links, we may as well say these are now yearly maintenance job.

You can occasionally find some good drop links that will last, the ones on my old MGZT had been on for four years & were still good after i gave it away.

Ant new drop links purchased i would advise to add some extra grease into the joints before fitting.

patrolman pete · 17th July 2020, 16:45

I had similar a few years back when I bought the Connie. To find the faulty drop link , on the n/s/f I squeezed some oil under the rubber boots and after a road test the noise was gone so I hit lucky first go , however it was back after a few days so I ordered a replacement pair from DMGR Spares and set to with the cutting disc !

patrolman pete · 17th July 2020, 16:47

P S the ones on my tourer are original and are still quiet at 191,000 miles !

bl52krz · 17th July 2020, 19:41

Jack each front wheel up and take wheel off. Take off the lower nut on the droplink, lever the anti roll bar down and take the threaded end out of the anti roll barr. You will then find out that the top ball joint will rattle like a babies rattle if it’s gone. When fitting the new one(s), cut around 7 mm off the top of the threaded rod. You can then get a ring spanner on to tighten it up. Job done. And like Artic says, put some grease in the joints on each link before fitting.

mh007 · 17th July 2020, 21:12

As said, jack up & remove front wheels.

With the palm of your hand, give the anti-roll bar a shunt where it joins with the lower joint of the drop link & you'll probably hear it clunk and/or rattle at the top joint.

17th July 2020, 11:36	#1
buckhorn Newbie rover 75 saloon Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Leicester Posts: 3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	front end rattle Hi, my 2004 75 2.0 cdti has a clonking / rattle coming from front end whenever I drive along especially over bumps. But when I look underneath nothing seems lose or worn. Its not the engine and car seems to handle ok but noise is getting worse, like clonking all the time. Anyone have any ideas please ??

17th July 2020, 12:11	#3
Rogue I really should get out more....... 75 CDT SE 160 Saloon Join Date: May 2017 Location: Thorpe St Andrew, Norwich Posts: 2,653 Thanks: 1,386 Thanked 1,096 Times in 774 Posts	I would guess droplinks too __________________ Glutton for punishment --- Previously ... 2.6 SD1 x 2, 3.5 SD1, 820S, 820Si x2, 216 Gsi, 220T saloon, 414, 45 1.4 x2 and now a Cowley 75 CDT

17th July 2020, 12:11	#4
dattrike Posted a thing or two V6 2ltr auto in copperleaf +CDTI Auto in Royal Blue on loan to Son Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire Posts: 1,709 Thanks: 105 Thanked 476 Times in 267 Posts	Most likely front drop links, usually left one (nearside) __________________

17th July 2020, 12:57	#5
Mike Noc This is my second home Rover 75 CDT Manual Connoisseur SE, Rover 75 CDT Automatic Connoisseur SE & a Freelander Td4. Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Hampshire Posts: 11,549 Thanks: 3,470 Thanked 3,119 Times in 2,247 Posts	Jack both front wheels off the ground and get a crow bar and lever the anti roll bar up and down on each side. Any play in the droplink and you will see and hear it. Usually the upper balljoint is the culprit. . Last edited by Mike Noc; 17th July 2020 at 20:52..

17th July 2020, 13:26	#6
Arctic Give to Learn Freelander 2 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: West Midlands Posts: 18,716 Thanks: 1,155 Thanked 6,407 Times in 3,874 Posts	Do not discount the top strut bearing, but as above first suspect is the drop links, we may as well say these are now yearly maintenance job. You can occasionally find some good drop links that will last, the ones on my old MGZT had been on for four years & were still good after i gave it away. Ant new drop links purchased i would advise to add some extra grease into the joints before fitting. __________________ Arctic Givology Learn to Give Everything is Achievable ad altiora tendo. Check out our Nano meet dates http://www.midlandsnanomeets.co.uk/ http://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/index.php?thepage=howto " You do the work , we supply the expertise "

17th July 2020, 11:42	#2
operamagorum Loves to post BMW 330i Touring Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Blandford Forum Posts: 378 Thanks: 184 Thanked 159 Times in 89 Posts	I have had these symptoms twice now Ist time was the crankshaft pulley 2nd time droplink (they go quite often on these cars) Good luck Geoff

17th July 2020, 16:45	#7
patrolman pete Posted a thing or two Rover 75 club se tourer CDT and a Connoisseur SE Diesel Auto Saloon Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Houghton - le - Spring Posts: 1,418 Thanks: 618 Thanked 333 Times in 197 Posts	I had similar a few years back when I bought the Connie. To find the faulty drop link , on the n/s/f I squeezed some oil under the rubber boots and after a road test the noise was gone so I hit lucky first go , however it was back after a few days so I ordered a replacement pair from DMGR Spares and set to with the cutting disc !

17th July 2020, 16:47	#8
patrolman pete Posted a thing or two Rover 75 club se tourer CDT and a Connoisseur SE Diesel Auto Saloon Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Houghton - le - Spring Posts: 1,418 Thanks: 618 Thanked 333 Times in 197 Posts	P S the ones on my tourer are original and are still quiet at 191,000 miles !

17th July 2020, 19:41	#9
bl52krz This is my second home Rover 75 cdt club + Rover 2.5 KV6 Conni SE Join Date: May 2008 Location: Birmingham Posts: 11,394 Thanks: 6,587 Thanked 2,262 Times in 1,729 Posts	Jack each front wheel up and take wheel off. Take off the lower nut on the droplink, lever the anti roll bar down and take the threaded end out of the anti roll barr. You will then find out that the top ball joint will rattle like a babies rattle if it’s gone. When fitting the new one(s), cut around 7 mm off the top of the threaded rod. You can then get a ring spanner on to tighten it up. Job done. And like Artic says, put some grease in the joints on each link before fitting. __________________ Great Barr, Birmingham.

17th July 2020, 21:12	#10
mh007 This is my second home MG ZT260 SE, MG ZT190+, MG ZTT 160, R75 Conn SE 2.0, R75 Conn SE 2.5 X 3, R75 Club SE 1.8, P5B Coupe Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Keynsham, Bristol Posts: 4,211 Thanks: 65 Thanked 635 Times in 499 Posts	As said, jack up & remove front wheels. With the palm of your hand, give the anti-roll bar a shunt where it joins with the lower joint of the drop link & you'll probably hear it clunk and/or rattle at the top joint.