JonS Posted June 4, 2013 Posted June 4, 2013 I noticed at the weekend that there was a squeak coming from the front of the car - it seemed to be related to the steering and when I had the car stationary and turn the wheel lock to lock it sounded horrendous, like something suddenly needed lubricating. I first thought it was the steering column as it passes through the bulkhead which is a problem I've had before, but after diving head first into the foot well the squeak was further fwd. Turns out it is coming from the antiroll bar drop link. Is this a problem for it to suddenly start squeaking? I lubricated it and that helped a bit, but I possibly need to get it up on the ramps and have a good look at it. Is the drop link like the rear ball joint in that, once it starts squeaking it needs replacing or do I just need to lubricate it some more?
jimbo07g41 Posted June 4, 2013 Posted June 4, 2013 I am afraid it is like the rear toe links and ball joints, Rubber boot with a ball swimming in greese. They dry out eventualy and then tend to wear and squeak. The other things to check are the anti roll bar bushes if replacement of the drop link does not cure it.
jody391 Posted June 4, 2013 Posted June 4, 2013 Are you sure it's not a balljoint Jon? Mine was making a horrendous noise after all that salt! A good was and a good dose of GT 85 job done. (Until I get time to do the full refresh)
JonS Posted June 4, 2013 Author Posted June 4, 2013 Bugger. MOT is tomorrow! lol Pretty sure it is the ARB. I touched all the swivel joints and track rod ends whilst the steering was being turned. I could feel the vibration in the ARB, and when I lubricated it, it did help. Fairly simple to swap out though by the looks of it from the service manual. Only trouble is, a wearing ARB drop link can be an MOT fail!
Steve J Posted June 5, 2013 Posted June 5, 2013 If they pick it up likely to be an advisory not a fail.
jimbo07g41 Posted June 5, 2013 Posted June 5, 2013 If you replace it yourself, cover in a release oil, a good few hours before. I have not done them on the Elise, but they often have an allen key hole in the end to steady the bolt as you undo the nut. As Steve, says it shouldnt fail on a squeak.
stockhome Posted June 5, 2013 Posted June 5, 2013 IIRC the drop link has a flat on the other side which allows you to get a spanner to hold the link so you can undo the nut. its a pretty easy job. If its the ARB bush the only problem is access to the bolts that hold the clamp in place, I can remember properly but one is fouled by the wishbone the top one is a pain and very difficult to torque up properly. I have some extra long hex sockets just for the job
JonS Posted June 6, 2013 Author Posted June 6, 2013 Dropped the car off at the garage last night with the squeak ever present, the guys looked at it this morning and it squeaked once and then nothing, not at all!! They wonder if it is the top & bottom ball joints. Putting it through its MOT then time for a nothing investigation.
JonS Posted June 6, 2013 Author Posted June 6, 2013 Well, it failed the MOT!!! :') ...but only because the rear number plate light bulb had gone!!! No squeak at all, and when I drove the car home it seemed absolutely fine! 72 miles to work and back to do tomorrow so we'll see if it comes back then! Incidentally the garage guys did think it might be a ball joint and not the drop link. But who knows!
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