VE GTS knocking noise front end

[sidestep20]

My car has a bad knocking noise when i go over speed bumps or little pot holes. only at slow speed tho. it isnt like at the first compression more like when the suspension is extending i think. holden cant do anything and it drives me crazy. i put wp springs on and a bit better but still there. does anyone know about this?

[Luke_]

Check the springs, if they are physically touching eachother and have marks between the coils. If yes, then add coil-wrap.

Regards,
Luke

[sidestep20]

Thanks Luke wondered that my self but it seems like a deeper thud than that but process of elimanation tho i guess.

[GODSMACK]

My car has a bad knocking noise when i go over speed bumps or little pot holes. only at slow speed tho. it isnt like at the first compression more like when the suspension is extending i think. holden cant do anything and it drives me crazy. i put wp springs on and a bit better but still there. does anyone know about this?
Ive had the same issue with my SS since new (nearly 12 months).. Its been back to my dealership no less than 5 times now.. They are still unsure of what it is and are 'apparently' talking with Holdens engineers to see what steps to take next. Put the stock springs back on, and keep hounding them to fix it.. Thats what i plan on doing, and i aint stopping till its gone... I dont care if they need to change all the front suspension (dreaming).... :vpo:

[forestjim]

My car has a bad knocking noise when i go over speed bumps or little pot holes. only at slow speed tho. it isnt like at the first compression more like when the suspension is extending i think. holden cant do anything and it drives me crazy. i put wp springs on and a bit better but still there. does anyone know about this?

I had the same trouble when I first got my car over 12 months ago.

They replaced the strutt and and some rubber. Retuned the MRC.

Problem fixed for over a year now.

Good Luck

Marty

[LDV60]

I too have had this problem, or at least it sounds like what I've got with mine.
A personal friend is a "suspension and handling specialist" at one of the bigger Holder dealerships in Bris. He has advised me that Holden do have advice out there for dealers on this issue, or at least what it sounds like.
The mounting points for the front sway bar have rubbers of course. These move in and out of position a little under certain conditions. Going up driveways, over small bumps at slow speed etc. Very hard to diagnose as when on a hoist they look fine. Have to take them off to be able to tell if they are worn.
On my last visit to my dealership (different dealer) they checked and tightened which helped a lot with the noise, but I think it'll be going back for more attention.

The guy works at a dealer that isn't a HSV rep which makes me think it's not just a HSV suspension problem.

[sidestep20]

I too have had this problem, or at least it sounds like what I've got with mine.
A personal friend is a "suspension and handling specialist" at one of the bigger Holder dealerships in Bris. He has advised me that Holden do have advice out there for dealers on this issue, or at least what it sounds like.
The mounting points for the front sway bar have rubbers of course. These move in and out of position a little under certain conditions. Going up driveways, over small bumps at slow speed etc. Very hard to diagnose as when on a hoist they look fine. Have to take them off to be able to tell if they are worn.
On my last visit to my dealership (different dealer) they checked and tightened which helped a lot with the noise, but I think it'll be going back for more attention.

The guy works at a dealer that isn't a HSV rep which makes me think it's not just a HSV suspension problem.
Thanks LDV60 and marty for that info i'll tell them to check them out.

[mick57l]

every holden dealer should be able fix this problem as there has been a technical bulletin on revised front swaybar D bushes

[joegts]

my gts does the same. i havent even lowered it yet. im letting holden know when its time for the 1st service.

[sidestep20]

every holden dealer should be able fix this problem as there has been a technical bulletin on revised front swaybar D bushes

Thanks mick571 bad service from holden dealers after complaining 4 times about the noise you think they would inform you that they now have info on how to fix it .
I only had the car servised last week as well ,but my wife dropped it off and didnt mention the noise again.

[HEXEM]

every holden dealer should be able fix this problem as there has been a technical bulletin on revised front swaybar D bushes

Hi Mick57l,

Any chance you can publish the details of the tech bulletin? or send a copy?.

Cheers
Phil

[mick57l]

the swaybar bushes become dislodged or the swaybar moves into the gap at the bottom of the bush causing a knocking on the subframe. Revised bushes were realeased in march.

[sidestep20]

Hi all had the revised bushs fitted thursday and what a difference no knocking and the car feels sooo much better thanks for everyones help very happy NOW!!.:)

[HEXEM]

the swaybar bushes become dislodged or the swaybar moves into the gap at the bottom of the bush causing a knocking on the subframe. Revised bushes were realeased in march.

Hi mick57l,

Do you happen to know what the holden tech number for this fix is?. I phoned my local holden dealer and they were not aware of this fix.
I am getting a similar sounding issue and would like to have it fixed sooner rather than later.
Appreciate if you can help..

Cheers
Phil

[CarlFST60L]

Check you front bar, check all the mounting points. After much searching and pondering, thats what my noise turned out to be. Same symptoms as you ;)

PS, valet parking pushed the bar up against something popping out one mount.

[HEXEM]

Thanks for the info Carl,

That was the first thing I checked for was a loose front spoiler/bar.

This is more of a metal clunk. I thought it was the swaybar link pins but they look fine. The fact that the fault mentioned by mick57l sounds very likely and my dealer is more than happy to do the upgrade.

I will follow up on the progress..

Cheers.

[CarlFST60L]

Thanks for the info Carl,

That was the first thing I checked for was a loose front spoiler/bar.

No worries.

It wasn't until I actually got under it and check the bolts visually that I realized what my thud was.

You need one of these to find the rattle (fast forward to 7:05)

YouTube - Holden's Billion Dollar Baby, Making Of The VE [Part 3/5] (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TvubrKlbGCU)

Good luck with finding it!

[ATOMIC MALOO R8]

my LS3 maloo rattles like crazy on uneven services it sounds like spring rattle
put tiens in and it still rattles what is the part no for the revised sway bar bushes ?

[HEXEM]

my LS3 maloo rattles like crazy on uneven services it sounds like spring rattle
put tiens in and it still rattles what is the part no for the revised sway bar bushes ?

Just had a call this morning from my local holden dealer. They advised they are unable to find any tech bulletin on the revised D bushes. They said if I can find the tech-line number or the revised part numbers for the swaybar D bushes they can go from there.

Hopefully someone has this information.

Cheers.
Phil

[TLX]

Try Luke @ WSP (sponsor here). He has quoted me for new Super-Pro bushes for the GTS....should improve overall body roll also:)

[HEXEM]

my LS3 maloo rattles like crazy on uneven services it sounds like spring rattle
put tiens in and it still rattles what is the part no for the revised sway bar bushes ?

Hi guys,

Just received a call from my Holden dealer. They found the Techline bulletin regarding the revised swaybar D bushes.

The holden Part Number is: 92213798 and you will need 2 of them. Cost is $5 each approx. You might want to check the number if you drive a UTE. I am not sure if both sedans and utes use the same D Bush.

This revised part has not been updated in the spare parts computer database at some holden dealers yet. However they can order them.

Hope this helps some of you out there.

Cheers,
Phil

[HEXEM]

I all some feedback.

I had the front swaybar D bushes replaced today with the revised ones.
What a difference they have made to the front end. There is a noticeable improvement in front end body roll when cornering especially on round-a-bouts.

They look different to the original ones that were on my car.

Cheers
Phil

[ATOMIC MALOO R8]

The Holden Part Number is: 92213798


went in to dealer to day and asked for 2X D BUSHES for VE and quoted revised no as above and the parts guy told me it had been revised again so thear is 3 sets of numbers for them now
the number they gave me was GM-92219337
IS THIS THE LATEST ONE ?? before i fit them $8.85 pair
http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa297/REDMALOOR8/DSC05099.jpg
http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa297/REDMALOOR8/DSC05095.jpg

[HEXEM]

damn!!..

The D Bush part number was provided to me from my holden dealer service dept. who found the holden Tech line bulletin and that was the number listed. If they have revised it again looks like I am back out to holden for another fit.

I will check the number out tomorrow if you can wait..?

Cheers
Phil

[ATOMIC MALOO R8]

WELL hear you go VE Utes HSV anyway have a 24mm sway bar NOT 23 mm
after 4 hours on the hoist and removed one sway bar bush it was 24mm
the one i got from the dealer the other day even though i told them it was for VE maloo he gave me 23mm :vpo:
what an absolute prick of a thing to get at even when you take the windedge try of
my bushes were like new and looked exactly the same as the 23mm ones with a bigger hole in them and has 24mm bar written on the side of them
so went looking for loose stuff under car couldn't find anything checked front bar ,rack bolts ,clip ,exhaust ,bounced the ute up and down nothing so the fc#@%er still rattles :vpo:
with the amount of plastic and clips on the front these things its a wonder they don't self destruct at 100 km if you ran over a small animal it would be like F1 car and just fly to bits

[SJA]

Had the D Bush's replaced two days ago and it still makes the same noise. Took it back to holden again, put it up on the hoist and was told "checked all the bolts, everything is tight"
To me it sounds like a strut, and it mainly happens on right hand turns, any one have any ideas?

Thanks.

[VESSV316]

The noise you describe is the spring spinning on the base of the strut

[ATOMIC MALOO R8]

Had the D Bush's replaced two days ago and it still makes the same noise. Took it back to holden again, put it up on the hoist and was told "checked all the bolts, everything is tight"
To me it sounds like a strut, and it mainly happens on right hand turns, any one have any ideas?

Thanks.

is your noise in the passengers side and clunks
mine clunks or knocks going straight or going round corners
thought i would have got rid of it when the tiens went in but NO
if you hit a big pot hole it will stop for a bit and then start again about a k further down the road

BUT is a lot better with a 80 kilo passenger
seat doesnt seam to be loose

[HEXEM]

Atomic Maloo R8,

Sorry I didnt get back to you sooner. I spoke with my holden dealer today and he is waiting on some advice from CAS re the part numbers.

The one I got was straight out of the tech update book in line with the tech bulletin that was released in March 08. I tried to check the new ones I have to see if they are 23mm or larger but its a bit hard to see.

I'll try again tonight to see what size swaybar the SSV has. It is likely that the HSV have a larger front bar.

I to had a similar sounding clunking when hitting different levels in the road or deep grooves, bumps etc. What they found was the Castor mount bolts and body brace bolts were not tight.

They retensioned these and it felt alot better..

Cheers
Phil

[SJA]

is your noise in the passengers side and clunks
mine clunks or knocks going straight or going round corners
thought i would have got rid of it when the tiens went in but NO
if you hit a big pot hole it will stop for a bit and then start again about a k further down the road

BUT is a lot better with a 80 kilo passenger
seat doesnt seam to be loose

Hi Atomic,
the clunks come from the right hand side of mine. 1. Just as i hit the bottom of a speed hump. 2. Doing a right hand turn and accelerating. 3. Doing a three point turn, right turn into the curb, left turn reverse back, then turn right and as i drive away it clunks. 4. And driving in a straight line and hitting bumps in the road it will ping.
I do like the what VU SS mentioned, as i think it sounds like a spring. I will investigate further on the weekend.

Cheers.

[EvokeWM]

I had the same damn clunking on my WM Caprice See post 62 in http://www.ls1.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=89681&highlight=evokeWM&page=5

After 5 visits to the Holden workshop, they finally said they had discovered there was a Tech Bulletin on the sway bar mount D rubbers and changed them for new style ones (this was after previously saying it was (i) the gearbox mounts, (ii) the engine mounts (iii) the steering rack - and replacing it costing Holden an unnecessary $900 warranty claim, then the strut towers.)

The new rubbers fixed it for a couple of months but it is now starting to come back again :vpo:

[Wonky]

The new rubbers fixed it for a couple of months but it is now starting to come back again :vpo:

Sounds like time to get them checked again and see how they are holding up. Possibly have suffered the same fate again...... :(

[300kw]

These knocks are all starting to sound familiar, might have to book in a trip to the dealer. There's a 3 week wait to look forward too.....

[ATOMIC MALOO R8]

:):smilesandbanana::dance::dance::flip3::banana::d ancenana::serenade::yahoo::bravo::6bow:

GOT RID of my rattle today left front strut was loose not the top bolt ,the one under the big 4" round plate with rubber around the edge got a full turn on it now you cant turn the plate around by hand any more the left one must be a bit loose to as you can turn it my hand also will pull the plate off and tighten it morrow
went for a 100 k drive and no more knocking :)

[HEXEM]

Thanks for the update Atomic,

I spoke with my mate at holden service today and asked him about this adjustment point you mentioned and whether the front strut make up is the same in the SSV. He spoke with his HSV mechanic and confirmed that the struts have the same mounting componants and that he has found by adjusting this very same bolt/nut you did, solved problems for some customers.

Anyway I have booked my car in for this friday and they will have the HSV guy do the work for me. We'll see how it goes..

Phil

[ATOMIC MALOO R8]

Thanks for the update Atomic,

I spoke with my mate at holden service today and asked him about this adjustment point you mentioned and whether the front strut make up is the same in the SSV. He spoke with his HSV mechanic and confirmed that the struts have the same mounting componants and that he has found by adjusting this very same bolt/nut you did, solved problems for some customers.

Anyway I have booked my car in for this friday and they will have the HSV guy do the work for me. We'll see how it goes..

Phil

good luck mate
it was shitting me to tears i can tell you

:vpo:

[Alex(AUS)]

:):smilesandbanana::dance::dance::flip3::banana::d ancenana::serenade::yahoo::bravo::6bow:

GOT RID of my rattle today left front strut was loose not the top bolt ,the one under the big 4" round plate with rubber around the edge got a full turn on it now you cant turn the plate around by hand any more the left one must be a bit loose to as you can turn it my hand also will pull the plate off and tighten it morrow
went for a 100 k drive and no more knocking :)

Atomic, I am finding it difficult imagine where this is. Is this under the bonnet or under the car? Do you have a pic?

Thanks,

Alex

[HEXEM]

Hi Alex,

Lift the bonnet.

Where the the strut towers are in the engine bay you will see a metal disc with thick rubber on the edge and a nut at the top.

Remove the top nut, then the disc. According to ATOMIC there is another adjustment nut/bolt located further down.

Cheers
Phil

[ATOMIC MALOO R8]

Hi Alex,

Lift the bonnet.

Where the the strut towers are in the engine bay you will see a metal disc with thick rubber on the edge and a nut at the top.

Remove the top nut, then the disc. According to ATOMIC there is another adjustment nut/bolt located further down.

Cheers
Phil

yes as phil said but i will post a pic in an hour or so

[Alex(AUS)]

Hi Alex,

Lift the bonnet.

Where the the strut towers are in the engine bay you will see a metal disc with thick rubber on the edge and a nut at the top.

Remove the top nut, then the disc. According to ATOMIC there is another adjustment nut/bolt located further down.

Cheers
Phil


yes as phil said but i will post a pic in an hour or so

Thank you Phil and Atomic. I will give that a go a little later ... hope it works. My left side clunks when I am on the brakes at low speed sometimes.

Alex

[ATOMIC MALOO R8]

yes as phil said but i will post a pic in an hour or so
heare you go http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa297/REDMALOOR8/DSC05152.jpg
mine has teins but stock one looks the same its is the nut under the big disc

[Arbmech]

My car has a bad knocking noise when i go over speed bumps or little pot holes. only at slow speed tho. it isnt like at the first compression more like when the suspension is extending i think. holden cant do anything and it drives me crazy. i put wp springs on and a bit better but still there. does anyone know about this?

Hello Sidestep, Many problems can cause "knocking" over undulations. VE Commodores seem prone to this problem. Radius arm ball joints only require a small amount of wear to create a loud knock. Also check for top strut mount collapse. The plate on top of the inner wing should have no movement when pushing the suspension up and down! Kind Regards, Arbmech.

[v8mumbo]

My Calias had the knocking as described.

Initially the dealer replaced the top strut mount and the spring saddle rubbers. This fixed 80% of the noise I had from the left front.
However, it wasn't until the sway bar D-bushes (part no. GM92219337) were replaced that the noise disappeared completely.

Cheers

[cashie]

How easy is it to change the sway bar bushes yourself in the garage?
Picked up a set today and might have a crack at changing them...

[cashie]

How easy is it to change the sway bar bushes yourself in the garage?
Picked up a set today and might have a crack at changing them...

I worked it out, very easily done, made a DIY here (http://www.ls1.com.au/forum/showthread.php?155442-DIY-Replace-VE-Front-Swaybar-Bushes&p=1985526#post1985526)