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MG MGF Technical - PU bushes -> Cracking

Anybody can identify what emits these noises? They appeared after having fitted the new PU supsension bushes all arround. Seems like they are audible only when the right part of the suspension moves.

P.S : Sometimes heavy braking or steering is enough to hear the cracks.

http://www.sniff-em.com/18mpi/clack.avi


T

When fitting the PU bushes did you use copious quantities of silicone grease, without it the PU bushes do tend to squeak and maybe your cracking noise is just a variation of the sound......

Tim
tim woolcott

I didn't myself, a "garage" did. Well he once fitted the Shocker bushes too, and afterwards I found the packet of grease (which came with the bushes) untouched in my boot.

Not sure about the Suspension bushes, it's a real metalic crack noise, it doesn't sound like rubber squeekig over metal.
T

as I am about to have them fitted as well where does the silicon grease need to be applied, on the outside or inside between the metal and the bush ?
Oliver G

I had techspeed fit a full set of polybushes about a year ago.. never had click or a squeak from them!

So this may not be your problem!

Stu
Stu

Hmm what else could it be then Stu ? I am hundret percent sure that these noises only happened _after_ having those fitted.

I ask this question here instead of going to my dealer (booked for the 12) because I want to be sure it ain't something which makes the car fall apart when driving ;)

T

Oliver,

Smear the grease over the outside of the bush, You can find some instruction which I've writtn on Rob Bells site. http://www.mgf.ultimatemg.com/ You will find a vice (or press) very useful to fit the bushes into the shocks.

Tim

T, (what is the rest of your name?)

I would suggest removing each wheel in turn and give the suspension a good wobble to see if you can re-create the sound.

If the sound is coming from the shock then it may be an idea to remove the shock and re-intall it. If the bushes on the head of the shock are not correctly installed the threaded stem of the shock may be sliding around and knocking in the hole in the bodywork (wheel arch). Or possibly, at the lower end the fixing bolt may not be tightened allowing the shock to move and clunk.

Just a couple of thoughts.

Tim
tim woolcott

You have only just fitted the bushes i assume?

I think Tim's suggestions definately worth a try..Can't really add anything.

To be honest it sounds quite loud and as Tim said maybe by removing each wheel you could recreate the noise..

Keep us posted

Stu



Stu

Tim, I was thinking along similar lines to you regarding the silicone grease. Thierry, I think that you are going to need to ask your dealership some questions regarding the lubrication of the PU bushes.

Mind you, listening to that avi - it doesn't sound like a squeak - more like a metallic click. Unfortunately, I haven't any experience with PU bushes, so cannot say what this noise is :o(
Rob Bell

Having just listened to the .avi file I would consentrate on the head of the shock. When you open the bonnet and look at the head of the shock does the shocker bush look compressed? it should be squished to about 8mm from memory.
tim woolcott

Ah, T = Tierry Thank Rob.
tim woolcott

I had something similar when I had polybushes fitted (it wasn't there before). It sounded metallic and only occurred when going over bumps. I never tracked it down and its now gone. I don't know what the sound was like outside the car so - not much help really. I have PU bushes fitted all round but not on the shocks.

Gaz
Gaz R

@Tim : Depends on what I measure, the purple PU part or the whole PU + "hut" ?

Only the PU part = +-4mm
Noth = +- 8mm

PS. Pushing hard downwards on the body (front right above the wheel) also recreates the noise, but only once.
T

Hold on. ....'Ting'... Just had a thought........ I now remember that I had a sound coming from my suspension some months ago, I managed to cure the problem by tightening the nut on the head of the shock. In actual fact this did not tighten the nut it just turned the shocker 90 degrees but the noise went, worth a try.

Sounds like the bushes are squished enough ±4mm.
tim woolcott

Just to make it clear: I had Supension bushes aswell as Shocker bushes added recently.
T

Ok, I'll try to turn the nut a bit, should I try loosing or tightening it. Thanks tim.
T

Try nipping them up 90 degrees clockwise
tim woolcott

This thread was discussed between 08/08/2003 and 11/08/2003

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