Clonk….Clonk.Clonk!!

[Heronwood]

So
My series II is roadworthy and after 40 years of being kept captive in a garage she has driven about 30 miles.

Whilst mostly uneventful I do get the odd clonk from the front near-side sometimes when I go over a bump.

What might this be? is it dangerous?

Mike

[The vast minority]

Probably knackered, degraded rubber bushes, did you just drag it out and go for a drive?

Al

[Heronwood]

I went out for a drive yes, but it only cooked a couple of times

are they difficult to change

[Heronwood]

HI

No did not just drag it out

i have changed all the brakes , cylinders, drums, shoes master cylinder fule tank,

all electrical connections serviced her and greased everything

[The vast minority]

If you are capable of all that then you shouldn't have a prob changing the bushes, but a full set of tie bar, eyebolt and trunion bushes and crack on. Worth ordering new pins for the eye bolts and trunion. Don't stop there, do the rear springs as well.

Al

[IslipMinor]

Before changing any suspension parts, check the front damper mounting bolts that screw into the bulkhead. They have (or did have originally) locktabs that will need to be opened out, so that you can get at the bolt head. The bolts are, or should be, 5/16" BSF, so you will need a 1/4" BSW / 5/16" BSF socket or ring spanner to check the tightness.

There is no specified torque setting, but tighten to a maximum of 25 lbf. lb.

[panky]

Yes check the dampers first but the clonk is most probably the tie-bar bushes as I found out. When I did them I noticed the top trunnion bushes also needed doing so be prepared and get a full set of everything, also check bolt on the other end of the tie-bar - it could be loose, when I took them out one side had obviously been slack as it was partly worn away.

[The vast minority]

I believe the bushes should be changed as a matter of course if they have sat for 40 years. rubber is a natural material and decomposes. You should get an MOT, this will be very helpful and will eliminate any safety issues whilst highlighting any bush failures. The ones on my car were probably 20 years old and were perished. I replaced all with poly bushes. I had a knock and a creak.

[kennatt]

If no signs of bush damage,stick a bar between the bottom suspension arm and the chassis and give it a bit of a lever,watch the area of the eye bolt chassis interface,any movement needs investigation.Disconnect the top trunnion from the top arm,and track rod end , let the whole fall outwards(Obviously well suported Car) If you don't know how to do this repost, DON'T JUST UNDO IT.Then try to wobble the swivel pin,any slop in the trunnions, top or bottom require URGENT examination.,