Suspension rattle after replacement

[iwaters]

Me again with this bloody suspension. I have replaced the dampers, springs, control arms, drop links and ARB bushes. Everything is back together and the car feels great.

However, there is a rattle when I go over bumps at a low speed. It is not a knock but quieter than that.

The control arm kit I bought came with replacement nuts and bolts. The nuts for securing the lower ball joints are just nylon lock nuts. The nuts that came off were shoudlered nuts and looked a lot more substantial. Because of this I stuck a washer under the nut. I am wondering if that nut and washer are just not putting enough tension on the joint and that is rattling. Or have I cocked up in some other way?

[shabazmo]

I have a knock or rattle from the front os susspension, but I have not replaced anything for sometime. i just can't findwhere it is comming from. low speed knock as i go over a small bump. I thought it might be the top susspension mount, but have not checked it yet. I will let you know when i do.

[mike.green]

Same thing on my 1.9tdi, try going over a bump you know causes the rattle with the brakes on slightly, if you here no noise remove and clean up your front brake pads and use copper grease during reassembly. Hope this helps

[nigel63]

i agree,it could be brake pads jingling in the caliper,we have found that on a few escorts,laguna,s and a few more cars over the years,take each front wheel off and slowly turn the brakedisc and you may see the pad move slightly,a little movement on the pads can give a knock or rattle for sure...

[iwaters]

Thanks for the replies chaps. It turns out in the end it was the top damper nut that wasn't tight enough.

I didn't have an appropritate tool to stop the piston turning whilst I tightened the nut so I wizzed it up with an impact wrench which obviously wasn't good enough.

You need either one of those sockets with the hole in the side or a deep offset spanner so you can get the allen wrench into the top of the piston.

Anyway fixed nowm car runs great. Just got the rears to do at some point!

[shabazmo]

iwaters, can you remind me. Do you have to remove the struts to tighten this nut or can it be done in situ from the engine compartment. I may have to check mine this weekend.
Thanks

[iwaters]

Struts out I'm affraid. The top nut is covered by the mounting plate.