Hi Guys.

 

When braking at slow speeds the car makes a loud knocking sound on the front and it feels like there is a bit of movement. This happens if I start reversing, is makes a knock as I start moving and feels like the front shifts slightly (best way I can describe)...

 

Do you reckon this could be the front tension rods being loose?...

 

Best, W

Front tension rod bushes more likely than the rod loose itself.

Think I have Poly bushes in adjustable rods.. are they likely to have just died? I did catch a pot hole unfortunately a few weeks back...

Take a look at the condition, also check the drop links, hitting a pothole could cause any one of a number suspension parts breaking, take it into ATS or somewhere for a free safety check :thumbup1:

Check the lower main arm thoroughly as well as they have a habit of cracking where the tension rod bolts up.

jack the car up and grab hold of the wheel and give it a good pulling round get a little bar a have a good lever round that should be easy to find

Check the lower main arm thoroughly as well as they have a habit of cracking where the tension rod bolts up.

Just to add to Steve's comment, I had one that had cracked and actually broken away around this mounting point on the bottom arm and it was making horrible creaking noises. An accident waiting to happen if not actioned soon!?(if it's that)

if they are adjustable check all your lock nuts.

Hi Guys, Sorry only just seen these messages!!

 

So thanks for Groovers advice I dropped it in to ATS around the corner and just got her back... Well, my girl is poorly :(

 

OSF burst shock

OSF Tie rod broken

 

:( :(

 

Hope there isn't anything else hiding in there like cracks etc, but at least it is a start. The pot hole was a couple of weeks ago, but I guess it weakened it and then finally gave up last night! In fact a squeaking noise was starting to really p me off yesterday morning on way to work, and I guess it was suspension starting to fail.

 

popping a post up in the parts forum! :)

Right the shocks, theres a set of four stock ones here just come collect them. Haven't got spare tension rods though.

Ahh dude that is epic thank you!! I'll give you some $$... only need the OSF at moment. :) Did you fit adjustable to yours? I will try and borrow a car one evening to get over there.

Nah it's cool seriously I was given them by someone else so just paying it forward. You will be doing me a favour if you take the set, they seen in good nick.

I've got a decent tension rod mate, £25 delivered. Can have it with you tuesday.

I've got some front tension rods that you can have mate. I work in southampton if that's any good to you

Hi Guys, the offers are really appreciated!! are either of the tension rods adjustable?... I have just had a full setup done on the car and have adjustables all round so would be worried that putting a fixed one on would throw everything off. Currently drives (or drove) like it was on rails after the setup.

 

Steve, thats awesome thanks! What evening would work for you?..

Mine are stock mate but there is a pair of them

Hi Guys, the offers are really appreciated!! are either of the tension rods adjustable?... I have just had a full setup done on the car and have adjustables all round so would be worried that putting a fixed one on would throw everything off. Currently drives (or drove) like it was on rails after the setup.

 

Steve, thats awesome thanks! What evening would work for you?..

 

Monday I'm in Cornwall but other than that I should be able to accommodate you.

I could be wrong here, but is there really any point in adjustable tension rods? Im not sure they add to the geometry of the car, rather a stiffening tool in general.

I could be wrong here, but is there really any point in adjustable tension rods? Im not sure they add to the geometry of the car, rather a stiffening tool in general.

 

The tension rods allow you to adjust caster which could be affected when other parameters are changed. It's still a valid question though, I would be interested to hear from people with suspension setups that specifically do and don't require caster adjustment to learn at what stage it becomes a necessity.

Well I bought them as the first alignment place I went to said the NSF caster was out with fixed rods, so not sure if it was just slightly bent but thought it prudent to get adjustable so I can have a full setup done, and also be ready for dropping the car a bit at some point.

Fair enough :thumbup1: