Help Please

Antm72

Antm72

Zorg Expert (II)
Supporter
British Zeds
Joined
May 4, 2015
Points
246
Location
South Yorkshire
Model of Z
2.8
I have developed a creaking sound in the front drivers side on the steering /suspension. I thought it was the upper suspension mount bearing failing and having stripped it all replaced the top mount and put it all back to gether it all appeared quiet.
Been for a 20mile drive and its back :/
Not sure if its heat related as have only had it bad the last few days and when it was all back together cold it seemed ok.
The creak only appears on right hand down , nothing from left and only in the drivers side.
I can not find any excessive play in any thing but unsure as what to try next.
The lower arms look new as do the back P bushes only really leaves the anti roll bar links and the drag link from the rack to the hub, but again no feedback in the steering indicating any thing is amiss its all tight im thinking may be ball joint is tightening up but its difficult trying to listen for it as i need someone else to turn the wheel while i try identify it....
Anyone had similar issues if so what was the fix ? Thanks
 
One thing to try to isolate it Ant would be to jack up both sides and put on stands if you have some. Remove the wheels and disconnect both track rod ends. With them off turn each hub by hand and try to see if one is "stiffer" to turn that the other. While track rod ends are off try each T/R/E ball joint for smooth operation too to see if one of them is tightening.

Tony.
 
Thanks tony it definatly seems to be heat i went out and douced the joints with the hose and within 5 mins silence , as said i have replaced the upper strut bearing and the washers all was as free as you like , i think i,ll replace the drag link they come complete rack to hub from gsf for 15 quid will measure it all up as to not knock the tracking out that way all joints will be new.
I had the car tracked when i brought it and they struggled heated it and swung around on it may be its either loosening with the heat and creeking or binding up either way heat it appears to be and cold water seems to resolve.
 
If t creaks when turning it can only be the track rod ends or the bottom ball joints mate because nothing else turns when you turn the steering wheel, apart from the top mount bearings which you've replaced. You might end up spending more than you need to. If you need/want any help I'm not too far away.

Tony.
 
The bottom ball joints are integral to the lower arms are they not ? As said they look as if they have been replaced. Im leaning to the drag link inner to be honest when it was bad yesterday when jacked up pressure off the noise was gone. No up down movement so not bearing/ bottom joint no movement to the left ie p bush end but movement to the right and a fair bit was shocked as thought how could that movement be missed on an mot which its just had .When i did the job this afternoon no movement in anything when assembled nut it was cold was going to jack up and check for it again but opted to cool it.
I think the inner ball joint rack end is the culprit it seems an easy job to pop the ball joint and undo the rack end and at 15 quid its not breaking the bank, something had play but i could not see it at outer joint i presume when the joint loosens it creaks with the unwanted pressures will have to do the job i suppose and rule it out.
 
Usually a creak arises with heat, I would be surprised if it was the inner rack end ball joint simply because it's inside the rack boot. I would plump for the track rod end first. Either way mate, I hope you get it sorted ok.

Tony.
 
No worries mate. :):)

Tony.
 
The culprit!!


20150702_162919.webp
Quiet as a mouse after changing it was very sloppy at inner joint at least compared to the new feels like a different car! i think im going to get the passenger one too and replace the pair its only a 30 min job and ive got to pay to have it tracked ,so want to only pay that once.
Have often thought the steering to be vauge and could never really pin point it, as said never any feed back in the steering but when throwing it around a corner i remember the last 2.8 to feel far more planted and as the arms and damapers are all new i thought it may be the difference in the suspension to coilovers which the last zed had fitted.
I know they are a different animal but expected better from stock especially as its all new all round but now i know why!
Happy chap and great to be able to take a spanner to the car you get a great deal of satisfaction from diy and its part of the many pleasures of owning a zed....
 
Couldn't agree more Ant, glad you have got to the bottom of that.:)

Tony.
 
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