Suspension: Has the garage ruined my V40?

[mjk164]

Hi all,

2003 UK spec V40 diesel here.

I had the drop links replaced on both front sides a week ago at a reputable local garage. I noticed on turning right full lock that there was a grinding sound so took it in and they stuck it on the ramp this morning. They said it looked like they had fitted the wrong drop links, maybe a little too long and would change them under the warranty offered on their work.

Since then I have been noticing what i can best describe as a sound like a tyre rubbing on a bit of wheel arch trim which has developed into a constant rumbling sound, especially when the wheel is turned any way to the right.

I have just jacked up both front wheels and performed the 'wheel bearing test' (trying to move the wheels up and down and side to side) and there is a huge amount of play in all directions on both wheels.

My first thought was that the wheel nuts were loose but none are, then I thought of the bearings but any failing bearing I've felt can be felt with the hand, not the fingertips, and at the MOT which the garage did straight after the drop links there was no mention of dodgy bearings!

So is this the driveshaft CV joints having gone? Could fitting the wrong drop links have done this? If so, what's my best bet with the garage?

Thanks all.

[Darlo 1]

Check the hub nuts to see if they are tight.

[mjk164]

Originally Posted by Darlo 1

Check the hub nuts to see if they are tight.

I hope that's all it is! Would explain why both sides have 'failed' at exactly the same time to the same extent. Maybe the garage took off part of the hub to get access to change the drop links and never tightened them back up again?

[phil_r]

Only need to remove the wheel to change the anti-roll bar links. Old ones can be a pain to remove and often need cutting out but can't see why that would cause issues.

Hopefully it is something simple, bottom ball joints can make a lot of noise when they have play

[barrybritcher]

doesn't sound reputable at all!

[mjk164]

So, I've had a wheel off and the large nut in the middle of the hub is not at all loose so its not that. Are there others to check? Light was fading so I doidn't get round to checking at the rear of the brake disc.

[clarkey1984]

I'd.give the nuts on the new drop links a little pull with a spanner to make sure they're right, you never know.

[mrfixer]

I once changed a set of drop links on my sons V40 there is not a lot of room for the knuckle side off the drop link at the anti roll bar /lower end and the chassis leg could be rubbing. At the same time of replacement it also highlighted worn anti roll bar bushes allowing the bar to move sideways

[mjk164]

So the reason for the noise on turning right at full lock was that....they had fitted the drop link upside down! The reason for the 'bearing noise' and the movement in the wheel bearings was that they had not reinstalled the driveshafts fully home after taking them off to change the ball joint boots and the reason for the brakes feeling vague after having new pads fitted by them was a combination of the two above. Oh, and they lost and didn't replace a security wheel nut.

This car was MOTd by someone in the same garage right after this was done and nobody bothered to drive it or spot these massive faults. I have accepted an amount of compensation (and they have ordered a new set of security nuts) but I could get them stripped of their MOT status I reckon. I am told the manager has been sacked....

[clarkey1984]

Erm, you can't fit a drop link upside down, not on these cars anyway, as they're identical both ends, unless of course you mean they fitted them backwards, ie on the exterior of the flange so the shaft and nut is on the inside, but that's just insane.