My D4 has, to my surprise, failed its MoT due to:-
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))
the Lower Suspension arm ball joints on both sides will be replaced when this work is done.
I'm surprised that these should fail at 44.5k miles, particularly has been gently driven, never towed, and only used off road, gently, probably 6-8 times a year when shooting.
When the work is does should the car have a 4 wheel alignment?
NJSSAm I Gammon or Woke ? - I neither know nor care.
2016 Discovery 4 Landmark
2011 Mercedes Benz SL350 (R230)
1973 MG B GT V8 - 3.9L John Eales engine, 5 speed R380 gearbox, since 1975.
1959 MGA roadster - 1.9L Peter Burgess Engine - 5 speed gearbox
Past LRs - Multiple FFRs, Discos & a Series I - some petrol, some diesel,
none Electric or H2 fuel cell - yet.
There are 10 types of people in this world: Those who understand binary, and those who don’t.
15th Mar 2021 5:53 pm
gstuart
Member Since: 21 Oct 2016
Location: kent
Posts: 14138
Hiya
Interesting as often wonder how long they should last
Indeed for the front lowers and rear uppers 4 x wheel alignment is required, believe the Hunter system is supposed to be very good
Must admit when I done my rear uppers and had the alignment after it transformed the way it drove
firstly, check they checked them properly. there was an edict from MoT central a couple of years back that if the bushes moved but returned to normal position when lever removed, it was a pass. some garages were failing them due to not understanding the nature of hydrolastic bushes.
Mine failed at around the 58K mark and we went the new arm approach rather than just re-bush. Good job as we had to cut the arms to get them off.
I'd recommend getting genuine adjusting bolts as the ones in the kit I bought were sh!te and just failed immediately.
4 wheel alignment is a must.
edit: fit the RRS ball-joints if replacing them..
Dean
====================================
2011 D4 XS - OBD port protection, RLD spare wheel protector, All LED interiors lights, Timed Climate enabled, iiD tool paired.
2011 D4 Landmark - Stolen from same dealer before I paid for it
2011 D4 GS - Stolen whilst at dealer ... All LED interiors lights, DRLs, Spare Wheel protector.
1996 300Tdi - Eaten by tin worms
15th Mar 2021 6:10 pm
DN D3 Decade
Member Since: 23 Jun 2006
Location: W.London.
Posts: 2345
Nigel, can you hear knocking from the front when driving slowly and dabbing the brakes on and off ? Or knocking when going over speed bumps / corrugations ? If not, I would suggest that they are snagging these prematurely. ( My D3 reached approx 66,000 miles with similar mild usage ) before the knocking started). There is some movement in these bushes even when new.D3 owned from new, P017 brake recall, BAS FBHIC, new FBH, LR013487 oil pump, new water pump. RRS front lower suspension arms. New suspension compressor/ relay. New Denso alternator. CuNifer rear brake pipes. New GKN rear propshaft. New HPFP belt & tensioner. New A/C Condenser.NO WARRANTY for many many years.
15th Mar 2021 6:19 pm
Farmer Chalk
Member Since: 06 Mar 2013
Location: Independent Republic of Kentishshire.
Posts: 4195
Mine is now on their second set....first did 44,000 miles and she has just clocked 90,000 now...
It started knocking going over bumps and the arms could be visibly seen moving backwards...the hydro bushes had failed...just replaced them with complete Meyle HD arms from AF....
They can be a total git to do and will often require the original bolts to be sawn off...
As Hardware says buy original oem replacement bolts because they are heavily torqued!
You will absolutely require the car to be realigned professionally....
15th Mar 2021 7:43 pm
CheshireDan
Member Since: 20 Jan 2019
Location: Shropshire
Posts: 240
My 13 plate D4 on 52,000 miles had the front lower arms as an advisory last year on the MoT, this year it sailed through with no advisories and no mentions about the arms!?!
I could tell they were knocking going over bumps and on our county's wonderfully maintained road network. I think it was more noticeable because I wasn't using the car every day driving for work because of lockdown, WFH etc. Replaced as others have said with the Meyle HD arms set and new OEM bolts, after a full 4 wheel drive alignment by our local indie and it drives like a dream.
My 66 plate is due them to be replaced at 72K as they have now begun to clatter & a get a vibration at motorway speeds
Cheers n Gone Nick MY16 D4 Landmark SDV6 (The Ice Maiden)
Uncle Ray's spare wheel protector
MY08 D3 HSE Stornoway (Miss Moneypit) The money tree withered......
15th Mar 2021 10:35 pm
daimlermg
Member Since: 31 Jan 2010
Location: N Yorks
Posts: 140
my 2010 at 11 years and 68k has just had them done for the first time.
Just got the knocking over bumps and when dabbing the brakes.
Fitted new armsFaultmate MSV-2
500,000 plus miles in RR,s and trying for more without breakdowns this time
Gone Lexus RX400h SE
Past Audi A6 avant Qutro
Toyota Supra
Long line of RR's
Had for 40 years but now gone 1935 Daimler and 1937 MG
16th Mar 2021 10:15 am
We88ie
Member Since: 08 Mar 2021
Location: Liverpool
Posts: 14
All have this on a advisory and going down the arms route. Have a good 4 wheel alignment Center local. What’s the cost you’ve been quoted when not don’t them yourselves?
Member Since: 22 Sep 2010
Location: Notts.
Posts: 8230
Hardware wrote:
firstly, check they checked them properly. there was an edict from MoT central a couple of years back that if the bushes moved but returned to normal position when lever removed, it was a pass. some garages were failing them due to not understanding the nature of hydrolastic bushes.
Mine failed at around the 58K mark and we went the new arm approach rather than just re-bush. Good job as we had to cut the arms to get them off.
I'd recommend getting genuine adjusting bolts as the ones in the kit I bought were sh!te and just failed immediately.
4 wheel alignment is a must.
edit: fit the RRS ball-joints if replacing them.
Mine failed 12 months and 8k miles after genuine arms had been fitted, took it to another MOT test station next day and it passed, it's passed twice since then without anything being done.It can when others can't,
It will when others won't,
It goes where others don't.
9th Apr 2021 10:25 am
robpenrose
Member Since: 12 Jan 2016
Location: Surrey / SW London
Posts: 2138
I’m on my third set. The 2 previous sets both went at around 50k
Current: D4 HSE
Previous: BMW Z4M Coupe
Previous: Land Rover Defender 90 CSW Td5
Previous: Land Rover Discovery Td5 ES
9th Apr 2021 10:31 am
aixede
Member Since: 22 Nov 2018
Location: Aachen
Posts: 66
Here in Germany they often fit Meyle HD instead of LR or other AM arms,
Meyle is a well known German AM manufacturer for such items.
They last a little bit longer as the OEM ones, but the best is a full 4 year warranty, as the supplier
is fully convinced of his quality.
Maybe worth to check this solution. Companies as Adv. Factors have them
on sale as I found out.
Stay healthy
13th Apr 2021 12:36 pm
elliot330
Member Since: 15 Oct 2020
Location: Swindon
Posts: 44
Just did mine on the drive, last weekend. The hardest bit was breaking the balljoint, otherwise all good. Purchased the Meyle HD version from Advanced Autos, good service as usual. Had the car 4 wheel aligned afterwards - as others have said its a must.
13th Apr 2021 4:19 pm
Pollski
Member Since: 22 Jan 2011
Location: Kent
Posts: 149
Our D4 has just had it's service and the front lower arms are an amber on the report. Being quoted a giddy £1370 for them being replaced !!My16 HSE Landmark - 2016 - Current. Indus Silver
My11 HSE - 2011- 2016. Stornoway Grey
I paid £1,384 for both lower arms & the prop-shaft to be replaced, which included VAT & 4 wheel alignment.
Get a price from a decent indy.
NJSSAm I Gammon or Woke ? - I neither know nor care.
2016 Discovery 4 Landmark
2011 Mercedes Benz SL350 (R230)
1973 MG B GT V8 - 3.9L John Eales engine, 5 speed R380 gearbox, since 1975.
1959 MGA roadster - 1.9L Peter Burgess Engine - 5 speed gearbox
Past LRs - Multiple FFRs, Discos & a Series I - some petrol, some diesel,
none Electric or H2 fuel cell - yet.
There are 10 types of people in this world: Those who understand binary, and those who don’t.
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rear uppers and had the alignment after it transformed the way it drove
... All LED interiors lights, DRLs, Spare Wheel protector.
