S60 Suspension: rattling noise from front n/s

[ewanyengi]

there is a faint but consistent light rattling noise coming from front of my '56 s60 . It sounds very like a faint, muffled school bell. not speed, gear, clutch dependant seems only dependant on engine vibration at certain revs (usually tick over). has got gradually worse over last few weeks (isnt very loud or noticeable but is very annoying). have tried playing around with antirattle clips (they are correct way) and re-reating different pads. from trawling forums experience may suggest droplinks but they felt ok. is it possible they could be rattling but still feel ok to "touch"?? would anybody have experience on similar noise. exhaust etc seems fine. cant see any other heat shield or such like. bit of a mystery. (am changing rear shoes and springs tomorrow anyway so will have another look at front as well). any experience much appreciated.
ewan (glasgow)

if consensus is still to change droplinks are ocap ones ok/cr@p?

[Simon Jones]

I'd check heatshield over the exhaust. If you have a D5, there's another one by the turbo.

[D5meister]

could be broken strut spring - the peice will look semicircular as thick as your finger - sitting on top of bas of the coil spring/damper

[Simon Jones]

You'd probably also notice it drooping on one side. My spring snapped and it was very noticeable.

[ewanyengi]

[QUOTE=Simon Jones;1598319]You'd probably also notice it drooping on one side. My spring snapped and it was very noticeable.

Thanx for that simon i take it that spring has come away from the top bit? Will look today. Only thing is the noise is completely constant and unchanging independant of road rurface ie when u go over bumps there is no difference at all to sound. It remains uniform and constant whether moving or not (only dependant on vibration frequancy of revs at tick over). Will look today though. Many thanks!!

[Simon Jones]

It snapped in the middle and slipped past the lower mounting point. From your symptoms, I'm pretty certain your issue is not suspension related.

[D5meister]

Agree ,

if 1/2 a turn of spring snaps off it rings on certain roads

[ewanyengi]

Checked springs etc all good condition heatshield etc ok. N/s droplink has very slight play in it compared to other one which wouldnt bat an eyelid about as there is no real metalic sound when i move it with my hands but im sure i read a post on here where a guy had replaced his and noise went away. Hopefully same guy might read this and reply. Bit of a quandry really. Housing that holds pads seems fine as well.

[Georgeandkira]

Hello, What's missing from this thread is the oft repeated instruction to disconnect a drop link. This will take the anti-sway bar and both drop links out of the picture.
If the rattle disappears, you know it's the links.

Your "almost 13 year old" drop links are likely shot. The plastic "cartilage" wears out. The ball then whacks the socket when you hit bumps.
Twisting by hand doesn't simulate the forces encountered whilst driving.

I'd just change them. They're only a bit more dear than they used to be. Don't go cheap. And no, I'm not being free with your money and effort.

My car when new, and in the possession of the first owner, ate its originals around 50K. 6 months ago, w/112K on them, they were quite rattly.

I bought and recommend the heavy duty ones from IPD. They're noticeably thicker.

Also, keep in mind that these links' fastening nuts need to be tightened quite hard. The nuts' tapped holes are actually of an oval configuration. I forget the name of that style of thread. The studs will have hex or torx recesses. Don't try this without holding the stud stationary.

I had a heart attack when I test drove my car after changing them. It rattled like a chuck wagon. All I had to do was bear down on the nuts. Kira

[ewanyengi]

Many thanx georgeandkira. My car is only 56 plate with 64000 but its looking more like this is the problem. I hadnt considered disconnecting them and trying to simulate noise doh! I found meyle ones for £15 quid each and the consensus seems that these are as good (but that the cheaper ones are not so good) so will try these. Its true that when ive been jiggling the droplinkaround i am doing it when the weight is off the car so that makes sense. Will order pair today and make sure i tighten her up well. Will post if cures it. Then i will only have to cure the annoying clink the drivers seat makes when weight shifts going round corners and the cheap noises the plastic centre console makes.....although might b cheaper to take medication for my OCD and crank that nice prologic stereo up lol