ARB bushes?

[pauljmcnulty]

My S2 has developed a really noticeably cloncking from the front O/S, sounds like it's about where my right foot is. Happens when turning left and right, and over bumps. Doesn't seem to have affected handling, but it's bad enough to make me need to deal with it.

Does it sound like ARB bushes? If so, I know I need new shocks at the front at some point so does it make sense to do it all and have a proper set-up as well?

 

[Eldavo]

I had something similar and a simple tightening of the nut sorted it out.

Changing the ARB bushes won't affect the geo setup so you can afford to do it in stages if you wish. It is also very simple to do, so no excuse for not getting your hands dirty this time!

 

[chrisg]

Paul

IMHO, ARB bushes wear/degrade over a period of time and any reduction in handling/ noise is difficult to perceive. As Eldavo said, I would spanner check all the relevant bits - my bet would be that the T shape barrel/rod section that holds the ARB into the track control arm has rusted through - this appears to be a common problem ?

If you've no joy with the ARB set up - suggest you check all the steering elements, the camber fixing at the rear of the Track control arm, the engine mount and the bolts holding the front cross member to the chassis rail.

Yours

Chris

 

[robwright]

If you replace your shocks you will have to get the geometry reset anyway. One of the bolts holding the damper on is an eccentric "Camber Bolt". As the name suggests the bolt is used to adjust the camber of the front wheels. If you get this set up then I would just go for a full computer 4 wheel alignment. Prices start from around £50 provided they know how to do it all. It can be a bit tricky on a 944!!!

 

[Super_Marv]

ORIGINAL: pauljmcnulty

My S2 has developed a really noticeably cloncking from the front O/S, sounds like it's about where my right foot is. Happens when turning left and right, and over bumps. Doesn't seem to have affected handling, but it's bad enough to make me need to deal with it.

Does it sound like ARB bushes? If so, I know I need new shocks at the front at some point so does it make sense to do it all and have a proper set-up as well?

Sounds like perhaps one of your ARB droplinks has broken? Usually the one that pushes through the alloy control arm:

I've had both my old ones break in the space of a year and pretty much got the symptoms you describe.

 

[zcacogp]

^^^ Wot chrisg and SuperMarv said.

Or possibly the ARB mount at the front of the car - the strip that clamps the front ARB bush to the subframe can snap in a similar way, and need replacing.

I've had one of each type of mount go on my S2 in the last 6 months, and replaced all four. Easy job (even for you!), and the car is much sharper (as you'd expect) afterwards.


Oli.