Front Control Arm Bushes

[carrera]

That didn't sound right to me, so I looked at EPC

[sgould]

Yes the engine subframe ones. Not like the originals. The poly bushes have different ones.

Although it's the rear ones that usually go first.

[carrera]

I agree the rear ones do usually go first..... needed to do them on the green car, and FKA has already had them done. From an engineering perspective isn't the design the same though, compliant material around a steel bush, clamped between two large metal surfaces (one of them a washer, on the underneath) ?

[sgould]

I'm not sure, to be honest. But in the way I pick up info from others, there was a thread where someone had wrong ly placed the washers on his poly bushes.  He reckoned the instructions that came with them were poor.

[fka]

I bought the none powerflex bushes from Bill. They had no instructions but everything I read stated the washers go between the top of the bush and the body.
Only question mark over any of the a available poly subframe bushes is they're all the same diameter, which doesn't account for the slightly larger middle (??) bushes..

[carrera]

Best ask Bill then.

I would have expected the pliable bit of the bush to be clamped between two solid  surfaces....... a washer on the bottom as for the OE parts and either a washer on the top, or the subframe itself.

[fka]

The thread on uksaabs has posts from a few different people stating the washer goes between the bush and the body. Eurosaab USA video states the same but actually shows the fitted incorrectly 
I'm fairly sure I asked Bill at the time and got the same answer..

[carrera]

Seems like I was right and wrong at the same time having looked around

The bush is clamped between two washers.... the original one on the bottom, the one supplied with the bushes on top between the bush and the subframe.

[fka]

Best I can do on my back in a field but the front two are correct, no reason to think the other 4 would be wrong. I don't think the problem is subframe bushes.
Talking of fields - I can definitely feel a bit of a clunk driving on and off the lump field. I'm still swinging towards the control arms because I can't see what else it could be!

[fka]

As I happened to have a torque wrench with me .. None of the 6 bolts were at 100NM, some less so than others but only a half turn or so off. I've taken them up to 100NM +45deg. Had a quick run around the field and couldn't hear/feel anything but that's not really much of a test. Will be driving again tomorrow but now I'm off to the beach for a swim 

[sgould]

I typed this while you were posting, so I'll leave it for consideration if you haven't cured it...

Are you 100% sure that the noise is from the front?  I had a really awful banging sound that I finally traced to the rear anti-roll bar.  It was just the U shaped clamp over the bush that was moving imperceptibly.  The hooked in end.  I only traced it when the shock absorber was off the car and moving the ARB gave a small click.  I suppose the front bar is held in the same way?

The tracing was done by ear and feel, and pinpointed by the small dribble of fresh orange rust.

[phoenix]

Possibles from me if it wasn't the subframe
- did you replace the soft metal spacers when you did the springs?
- how are the rear trailing arm bushes?

[fka]

I replaced everything on the front struts and the rear trailing arm bushes are powerflex fit by the PO.

I "think" I may have lost a clunk since tightening the subframe bolts but the rattle is still there. Think as the roads here are quite good ..

Seems to be in time with the front wheels going over rough road so inclined to stick with it being front end. I don't have the wherewithal to check the top nut on the struts but will ask Joe to check when he has it.

If the subframe bolts have worked loose (time will tell) other than locktite, is it usual practice to replace them as they're stretch bolts?

[fka]

I'd bought the complete front control arms that come with Poweflex bushes pre-fit. Worked out a little dearer than just buying the bushes but potentially cheaper than the paying the labour on removing the old bushes. They went on the car last week [along with a Jetex (Simons) CAT back which looks kinda smart, sounds lovely at idle and overrun, and isn't in any way intrusive on the motorway..]
Steering is much more direct, torque steer is reduced and it seems to get the power down a lot better pulling out of bends. Doesn't feel any harsher over the potholes, just more solid. More than happy with this month's unnecessary expenditure 

The rattle however is still evident, not too surprisingly.
Joe checked over the front struts and can't find anything but can hear the rattle, although as he said, it seems like quite a light metallic noise.
I think I may have found it. I'd adjusted the bonnet a few months back as the shut line wasn't even (slightly up at the front). I've put the stops and the latches back where they were and although there's still a slight rattle on some of the larger bumps, it's nowhere near as bad. I can only assume that's why the bonnet had been set like that in the first place...

[fka]

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