Technical new bushes or complete anti roll bar?

[chris1]

We have a w 2000 marea 130jtd weekend, there is a knocking from the front when driving over bumps which has been identified as the roll bar bushes. Have spoken to a friend who recons the whole roll bar needs replacing as the the bushes alone cant be replaced, is this correct as obviously this would be a much bigger job, if the rollbar does need replacing is it common to cause damage to other parts when trying to remove it, thanks for any advice

cheers
chris

 

[Notorious131]

If you look inside the wheel arch there is a link bar( sorry can't remeber the correct name ) it connencts between the anti-roll bar and the car, its about six inches long and has a ball joint on either side, these are known to be a weak point. This is probably what has failed and is causing the noise. It's quite an easy and cheap item to replace......

 

[NumanR]

ARB links are more common to wear than the ARB bushes, but the bushes do wear as well. The best way to test the links is to get someone to rock the car from side to side and feel the balljoints on the links. Any movement means they are worn and need replacement. The ARB needs to be checked with a pit or 4 post ramp, so that you can get under the car with the suspension in its normal position and the wheels in the straight ahead position. Any movement in the bushes and the bar needs replacing.

 

[shaun]

Chris, re email changed bottom arms and drop links problem solved. Lot of wear on off side arm.

 

[kevlad]

We have a w 2000 marea 130jtd weekend, there is a knocking from the front when driving over bumps which has been identified as the roll bar bushes. Have spoken to a friend who recons the whole roll bar needs replacing as the the bushes alone cant be replaced, is this correct as obviously this would be a much bigger job, if the rollbar does need replacing is it common to cause damage to other parts when trying to remove it, thanks for any advice

cheers
chris

Hi Chris,
The bush at the bottom of my Marea roll bar connecting to the control link arm is completely knackered. There is no knocking but a creaking when steering and if I rock the car. There is a lot of movement noticable at speed if I turn from side to side. Did you get yours replaced? If so where did you get them from and how much? Was it the full roll bar that had to be replaced?
Cheers.

 

[jug]

never heard of anyone replacing a full anti roll bar unless it is damaged in an accident. you only need to replace the "drop link". the marea uses the same type as my bravo iirc, which cost me £7 each at my local motor factors. its fairly easy to replace them.

 

[kevlad]

Managed to get a link arm off ebay:
http://stores.ebay.co.uk/AZMOTORSCOUK
£9.99 + £6.99 postage. It was straight forward to change (old nuts were a bit rusted on) and has made a difference to the cars stability.


P.S. Thanks Jug for the reply. Nice car mate. Looks like you got a bargin.

 

[BatMarea]

Hi Fellow Klunk Sufferers,

To solve my front suspension klunk (on a Marea Weekend 2003), I've just had the links from the anti-roll bar to the suspension struts replaced - cheap, easy do-it-yourself job. I noticed that the left link's lower ball joint was particularly worn, and that the last, forward-facing section of the anti-roll bar on the right had been polished by the tyre rubbing on full right steering lock. However, the klunk persists, so I'll now have the anti-roll bar bushes replaced. I have a downloaded technical manual, which shows the bar and its 2 brackets, but it's not clear if it's easy to remove the brackets and bushes, or if I'll need to have the whole subframe removed first, which could end up expensive in terms of labour. Can anyone confirm that this massive removal is really necessary?

Not sure about also taking measures to prevent lateral anti-roll bar movement. Maybe it needs to have some movement.

Incidentally, various mechanics have test-levered all other suspension joints and found no problem.

I'll keep you and all our fellow "deklunkers" informed.