Noisy front suspension

[bov783]

Hi all
I am at my witts end !! I run a 1978 Mk2 Travelhome. For the past couple of years it has developed a creak / groan from the front passenger side.I have spent hours trying to find the problem but everything I do has no effect. It sounds like a shock absorber or worn out bush. Things i have done are 1 replace all shocks and bushes. 2 Replace all shackle bushes. 3 Replace all stearing joints. 4 re shim kingpins.
The step and sill where very badly corrided so these have been replaced. I hoped the mot bloke would fail it but it passed.
I found the rubber bush on the center propshaft bearing had gone which I thought could well be the problem. As the shaft moves it fouled the metal frame. Just done a road test and the noise is as bad as ever.
If anyone lives near Lincoln will pay to have them have a listen cos it's beaten me !!

Best regards
Phil

[montym100]

Just a guess, engine mounts?

[Ken B]

Are your front springs single leaf or multileaf. If its multi could be them grinding together.

[bov783]

Hi ken they are single. I recon it could be the bush at the front of the spring. Not sure what sort of a job it is to remove. My biggest problem is lifting the van from the chassis. I can jack it up from the axil fine but I don't think the front cross member will hold it !!

[yogi]

try going over each pivot bush and bearing with excessive amounts of wd40 one at a time and road testing after and see if the sound changes if it dose its prob that joint

[bov783]

Good idea I will give that a go when I get time thanks

[bov783]

Finally found the noise. I just happened to look under the van after another noisy trip to Chatsworth and noticed the rear flange bolts on the axil were shining. Turns out the handbrake cable was fouling the bolts as the axil went up and down. This caused the rod to vibrate through the frame !!!

[baconsdozen]

Its suprising how noise travels sometimes on a vehicle.I had a bracket fail so that the handbrake cable occasionly rubbed on the inside of a tyre.
It too seemed to be coming from somewhere at the front.