Ford Transit Forum

by **Hi-top** » Fri Jul 24, 2009 12:27 am

Hi, newbe just signed up. I've got a MK5 LWB Hi-top which I have just changed the front ARB bushes on. I thought this would stop the knocking noises I was getting from the front. While most of the knocks have now stopped there is still one from the drivers side, I've checked the ARB and there is no play in the new bushes or the links, TRE's, ball joints and wheel bearings are all fine. This is leading me to beleve its the shock or top mount. Has anybody experienced this before?

by **ginsambo** » Fri Jul 24, 2009 7:44 am

Usually top shock mount squeals when you turn the wheel -like compressed rubber against compressed rubber.
If the lower bushes are OK and there is no lateral movement its probably not the shock. Are you sure the bodywork is not too rusted around the top shock mount? - if its working loose it would be knocking for sure, until it comes up through the floor.

by **Vee4** » Fri Jul 24, 2009 8:47 am

Not long after I took delivery of my Mk5 (in 1997), I went to a music festival and en route to the backstage area, I had to drive over a field in which the grass was dry and hard and had some small undulations. There was a thudding noise on hitting each peak which seemed to come from the front right. As you can see, I still remember it well because I wasn't expecting it from a brand new van - must be that new-fangled wishbone suspension, I thought. I resolved to have it checked at the first service, but nothing was ever found to be wrong, and 270,000 miles later, it still does it in similar situations, and no more than it did then. No problem whatsoever with the van - drives 'like it's on rails', exceptional tyre mileage, etc.

I'd still like to know where the noise originates, although I don't plan to do anything about it!

by **godderidge** » Fri Jul 24, 2009 10:51 pm

mine has done that for the 7 years i have owned it with no problems on M O T . 1994 MK5 just put new M O T on it today

by **Hi-top** » Fri Jul 24, 2009 11:18 pm

Cheers for the replies, the metal work around the strut tops is all good, when I get the time I think I'll take the strut and mount off and have a look.

by **mr.sparkle** » Sat Jul 25, 2009 8:45 pm

my mk 5 smiley lwb makes a clonking type sound ,mostly when you load /unload the front around roundabouts passed its mot fine cant find anything wrong with it.