Front A.R.B. bushes: do they really wear?

MissMoppet · 23rd September 2021, 16:29

I've been trying to cure a clunk or rattle from the front suspension for a year or two, in which time I've had replaced top strut mounts, both drop links, lower wishbone bushes - and just recently both shocks. All to no avail. In my usual blind ignorance - and reading DMGRS' website - "If you have a 'clunk' when travelling over bumps, or have noticed your anti roll bar bushes are worn, this kit contains everything needed to resolve the problem." (I'd like to know how you notice they're worn as it took me a while just to find the bloomin' things.

Well that's me alright, but now having got them, got the motor up on the ramps, taken off the undertray, (a) I had a job finding the bushes (b) as far as I can tell they're tight - who knows? and (c) how the hell do get them off without dropping the sub frame?

I think I'm going to leave them on - this ain't a five minute job - unless someone can assure me that when they have replaced them (a) yes they are worn and (b) it has cured The Clunk.

All ideas welcome. (The diesel has done approaching 150K miles)

xsport · 23rd September 2021, 17:34

if you undo the droplinks both sides on the swaybar you should be able to hear a clunk or tap when you push up and down sharply. but i bet you wont. !! i went through all of this 3 yrs with a knock on the front of my 75. turned out it was the hub clamp for the lower wishbone pin not gripping. it was the noise produced by the pin cut out for the bolt hitting the bolt. when its down on the floor it looks ok and its difficult to replicate the noise. once the wheels are off the ground you may see some movementup and down. i did not believe this but the MOT man showed me with a long prybar whilst up on the ramp. this movement up and down when going over a pothole has a "hammer " effect on the wishbone pin that will ruin the balljoint and need relacing in no time at all. my answer was to fit new hubs and this sorted it. rimmers and mat are doing them. my old ones did not look elonguated and seemed to torque up ok ... but i was wrong ...

TourerSteve · 23rd September 2021, 18:56

To check your ARB bushes you need the car on all four wheels with no torsion in the bar . Ultimately you need it over a pit or on a 4 post ramp .
Then from underneath you can check for movement of the anti roll bar within the bushes . I have replaced mine on a 60,000 mile car as one of the rubber bushes was elongated . This can be achieved quite easily on a ramp or over a pit with the right tooling without lowering or removing the subframe. But a word of warning here ,Rounding off a bolt head, turning the captive nut or sheering a bolt will probably mean dropping the subframe to repair . The bolts are a flanged bolt with 10mm head with an 8mm thread and I would always ensure a good soaking with release oil and the use where possible a 6 sided socket for removal.
As said by xsport I would definitely check all other front suspension and steering components for knocks as you are unlikely to hear a heavy knock from a rubber anti roll bar bush .Drop links usually rattle .
Usually an ARB would be picked up on an MOT even as an advisory
The last two suspension knocks i have picked up on A R75 and an MG 6 has been bottom arm ball joint that has had play when you pull the wheels at 3 and 9 o clock (side to side) rather than rather than 12 and 6 o clock ,

Rogue · 23rd September 2021, 19:08

I had a clunk i couldn't get rid off and like you replaced all the usual suspects to no avail. It was only when the car was up on ramps could it be seen that the ARB bushes looked a little unheathy and were replaced. Cleared that clunk up completely. However i now have an annoying knock i get on acceleration which sounds as though it's coming from the offside front somewhere. no knocking over bumps at least though

xsport · 23rd September 2021, 19:49

could be the lower engine rear mount....

MissMoppet · 24th September 2021, 07:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by xsport

could be the lower engine rear mount....

I've changed that, ta.

pletevl · 24th September 2021, 14:09

Remove the droplinks and go for a drive (tie up the AR bar before moving off)

pete.

COLVERT · 24th September 2021, 15:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rogue

I had a clunk I couldn't get rid off and, like you, replaced all the usual suspects but to no avail. It was only when the car was up on ramps could it be seen that the ARB bushes looked a little unhealthy and were replaced. Cleared that clunk up completely. However I now have an annoying knock I get on acceleration which sounds as though it's coming from the offside front somewhere, no knocking over bumps at least though

Lower suspension arm rear rubber bush.---Beginning to disintegrate.

I replaced one of mine last year. Now the second one is on its way out.---

MissMoppet · 24th September 2021, 16:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by COLVERT

Lower suspension arm rear rubber bush.---Beginning to disintegrate.

I replaced one of mine last year. Now the second one is on its way out.---

I hope not : both replaced last year.

DMGRS · 24th September 2021, 17:04

I had this myself on my ZT - and changing them did indeed solve the problem.
Not the easiest job, but the silence after was glorious (and I'd changed a few other parts trying to fix it!)

23rd September 2021, 16:29	#1
MissMoppet Posted a thing or two R 75 Tourer diesel Conny 2002, V6 Conny saloon petrol 2003 Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Taunton Posts: 1,125 Thanks: 212 Thanked 406 Times in 223 Posts	Front A.R.B. bushes: do they really wear? I've been trying to cure a clunk or rattle from the front suspension for a year or two, in which time I've had replaced top strut mounts, both drop links, lower wishbone bushes - and just recently both shocks. All to no avail. In my usual blind ignorance - and reading DMGRS' website - "If you have a 'clunk' when travelling over bumps, or have noticed your anti roll bar bushes are worn, this kit contains everything needed to resolve the problem." (I'd like to know how you *notice* they're worn as it took me a while just to find the bloomin' things. Well that's me alright, but now having got them, got the motor up on the ramps, taken off the undertray, (a) I had a job finding the bushes (b) as far as I can tell they're tight - who knows? and (c) how the hell do get them off without dropping the sub frame? I think I'm going to leave them on - this ain't a five minute job - unless someone can assure me that when they have replaced them (a) yes they are worn and (b) it has cured The Clunk. All ideas welcome. (The diesel has done approaching 150K miles) __________________ Rover 75 Tourer Conny 2002 remapped 160 auto, R75 V6 2.5L auto Connoisseur 2003

23rd September 2021, 18:56	#3
TourerSteve Loves to post Rover 75 Tourer Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Withernsea Posts: 436 Thanks: 43 Thanked 290 Times in 167 Posts	To check your ARB bushes you need the car on all four wheels with no torsion in the bar . Ultimately you need it over a pit or on a 4 post ramp . Then from underneath you can check for movement of the anti roll bar within the bushes . I have replaced mine on a 60,000 mile car as one of the rubber bushes was elongated . This can be achieved quite easily on a ramp or over a pit with the right tooling without lowering or removing the subframe. But a word of warning here ,Rounding off a bolt head, turning the captive nut or sheering a bolt will probably mean dropping the subframe to repair . The bolts are a flanged bolt with 10mm head with an 8mm thread and I would always ensure a good soaking with release oil and the use where possible a 6 sided socket for removal. As said by xsport I would definitely check all other front suspension and steering components for knocks as you are unlikely to hear a heavy knock from a rubber anti roll bar bush .Drop links usually rattle . Usually an ARB would be picked up on an MOT even as an advisory The last two suspension knocks i have picked up on A R75 and an MG 6 has been bottom arm ball joint that has had play when you pull the wheels at 3 and 9 o clock (side to side) rather than rather than 12 and 6 o clock , Last edited by TourerSteve; 23rd September 2021 at 19:51..

23rd September 2021, 19:08	#4
Rogue I really should get out more....... 75 CDT SE 160 Saloon Join Date: May 2017 Location: Thorpe St Andrew, Norwich Posts: 2,645 Thanks: 1,386 Thanked 1,096 Times in 774 Posts	I had a clunk i couldn't get rid off and like you replaced all the usual suspects to no avail. It was only when the car was up on ramps could it be seen that the ARB bushes looked a little unheathy and were replaced. Cleared that clunk up completely. However i now have an annoying knock i get on acceleration which sounds as though it's coming from the offside front somewhere. no knocking over bumps at least though __________________ 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

24th September 2021, 17:04	#10
DMGRS Discount MG Rover Spares Rover 75 CDTi, 2x MG ZS180 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Hythe, Southampton Posts: 11,320 Thanks: 456 Thanked 3,377 Times in 2,027 Posts	I had this myself on my ZT - and changing them did indeed solve the problem. Not the easiest job, but the silence after was glorious (and I'd changed a few other parts trying to fix it!) __________________ Your trusted MG Rover specialist! Tel: 02380 001133 / Email: [email protected] We now have a 'chat' function on our site for even quicker replies. Give it a try! Remember - discount code FORUM5 for 5% off

23rd September 2021, 17:34	#2
xsport Posted a thing or two rover 75 club se Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Leicester Posts: 1,639 Thanks: 358 Thanked 419 Times in 310 Posts	if you undo the droplinks both sides on the swaybar you should be able to hear a clunk or tap when you push up and down sharply. but i bet you wont. !! i went through all of this 3 yrs with a knock on the front of my 75. turned out it was the hub clamp for the lower wishbone pin not gripping. it was the noise produced by the pin cut out for the bolt hitting the bolt. when its down on the floor it looks ok and its difficult to replicate the noise. once the wheels are off the ground you may see some movementup and down. i did not believe this but the MOT man showed me with a long prybar whilst up on the ramp. this movement up and down when going over a pothole has a "hammer " effect on the wishbone pin that will ruin the balljoint and need relacing in no time at all. my answer was to fit new hubs and this sorted it. rimmers and mat are doing them. my old ones did not look elonguated and seemed to torque up ok ... but i was wrong ...

23rd September 2021, 19:49	#5
xsport Posted a thing or two rover 75 club se Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Leicester Posts: 1,639 Thanks: 358 Thanked 419 Times in 310 Posts	could be the lower engine rear mount....

24th September 2021, 14:09	#7
pletevl Posted a thing or two rover 75 cdti(rhd), MG ZR(lhd), MG TF(lhd), MG TF(rhd), mini mpi (lhd), Renault megane III (awful) Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: East of France Posts: 1,278 Thanks: 124 Thanked 114 Times in 93 Posts	Remove the droplinks and go for a drive (tie up the AR bar before moving off) pete.