Fiesta MK7 N/S/R rattle/knock

[williamweb]

Although more expensive I usually buy Ford parts.Many would buy a cheaper after market alternative if available 👍

[Ian Lanc]

6 hours ago, Si_James said:

I was thinking of getting the powerflex ones I know they are a bit more expensive but thought they might be better.

Is it worth getting the n/s/r shocker, spring and top mount removed and refitted do you think?.

🙂

Powerflex nylon bushes belong on one type of car and that's a Rally/Race Car and not on a road car, avoid fitting these as they'll also transfer more shock to further standard rubber bushes, if you are intent of fitting nylon ones, you really need to go the whole hog and ditch all other rubber bushes with nylon bushes.

I'll leave my shockers/springs/top mount alone.

I've chatted with a ford dealership and he says all Fiesta's as well as other Fords suffer from bush failure.

[Ian Lanc]

5 hours ago, williamweb said:

If you’re going to fit poly bushes be prepared for a hard ride.Comfort levels are seriously reduced.On the plus side is you’ll be able to grip corners with confidence on a spirited drive if you are that way inclined 👍

Years ago I fitted Poly bushes throughout my old MKII Escort RS2000, worst idea in the world, made the ride so harsh and felt every bump, after 6 months I ditched all of the poly bushes and refitted rubber bushes, the joy of a smoother ride was great.

[Si_James]

3 hours ago, Ian Lanc said:

Powerflex nylon bushes belong on one type of car and that's a Rally/Race Car and not on a road car, avoid fitting these as they'll also transfer more shock to further standard rubber bushes, if you are intent of fitting nylon ones, you really need to go the whole hog and ditch all other rubber bushes with nylon bushes.

I'll leave my shockers/springs/top mount alone.

I've chatted with a ford dealership and he says all Fiesta's as well as other Fords suffer from bush failure.

Hi Ian,

Appreciate yours and Richards advice as I'd no idea about nylon bushes, so I'll just get the standard Ford ones.

I'm thinking the same as you really and leave the spring/shocker & top mount alone as I can't see those being at fault as only been on just over a year.

Unless they are faulty or haven't been fitted properly but seems unlikely as the garage I used at the time were trustworthy.

It's so strange as the smallest jolt can make it make a noise sometimes.

I can't think other than these axle bushes what else it could be.

[Ian Lanc]

13 hours ago, Si_James said:

Top mount alone as I can't see those being at fault as only been on just over a year.

It's so strange as the smallest jolt can make it make a noise sometimes.

I can't think other than these axle bushes what else it could be.

Look at the top anti-squeak mount, if it's a black rubber version, then at a good guess the mount will be fine, the older orange foam type seam to deteriorate far more quickly than the black ones, to see if the mount has failed look to see is the spring is touching the chassis mount, if it is then it's copped it, also grab at the rubber, if it breaks off, then they need changing.

You don't need to remove the wheel to check it, just jack the car up and allow the wheel to drop and you'll clearly see the top of the spring.

Son renewed my mounts but fitted the orange foam type, never knew ford had upgraded the rubber to stop it from falling to bits.

Any bumps or uneven bits of road I hear that annoying ''knock/clunk/rattle'' .....getting right fed up of it now.

We've had four brand new tyres fitted on the car and was going to get the front tracking checked, but I'm delaying this until the new bushes are fitted to the axle, pretty sure these tattered bushes will throw out the tracking and make the tyres wear down unevenly, so best getting everything tight with no movement.

[Si_James]

16 minutes ago, Ian Lanc said:

Look at the top anti-squeak mount, if it's a black rubber version, then at a good guess the mount will be fine, the older orange foam type seam to deteriorate far more quickly than the black ones, to see if the mount has failed look to see is the spring is touching the chassis mount, if it is then it's copped it, also grab at the rubber, if it breaks off, then they need changing.

You don't need to remove the wheel to check it, just jack the car up and allow the wheel to drop and you'll clearly see the top of the spring.

Son renewed my mounts but fitted the orange foam type, never knew ford had upgraded the rubber to stop it from falling to bits.

Any bumps or uneven bits of road I hear that annoying ''knock/clunk/rattle'' .....getting right fed up of it now.

We've had four brand new tyres fitted on the car and was going to get the front tracking checked, but I'm delaying this until the new bushes are fitted to the axle, pretty sure these tattered bushes will throw out the tracking and make the tyres wear down unevenly, so best getting everything tight with no movement.

Morning Ian,

I agree very annoying funny thing is most of the noises I can live with as it's made them since I bought it but this one is so annoying and worse because no one has been able to solve it and I look to have had all those parts changed for nothing as it's still there!.

I had the upper spring isolaters changed as they had crumbled to dust I actually bought the powerflex ones but guess similar to ford.

Not cheap!, it's improved the ride but noise still persists.

I'm at a loss why it's making a knocking/rattling noise but everything is new!.

I checked my bills last night and the top mount was changed as well which is top of shock absorber I can't see that been faulty can you?.

And obviously the spring and shocker were also changed.

If the axel bush if worn can produce these type of noises then it's got to be worth changing as nothing else to change.

This is why I thought is it worth having it all stripped down and refitted just incase something is wrong but seems unlikely.

Just a note on the tracking as it's front wheel alignment only on there cars, I go to national as always vouchers for 50% off, mine needs doing again as roads in Sheffield area are poor.

I'm thinking them get the axel bushes changed so I'll call garage Monday, not sure if it's cheaper to buy them myself or let them but them.

Isn't it strange how it's just the nearside rear but offside silent, totally bizarre.

It's such a simple set up it should be easy to solve!.

[Ian Lanc]

9 hours ago, Si_James said:

I checked my bills last night and the top mount was changed as well which is top of shock absorber I can't see that been faulty can you?.

Just a note on the tracking as it's front wheel alignment only on there cars, I go to national as always vouchers for 50% off, mine needs doing again as roads in Sheffield area are poor.

I'm thinking them get the axel bushes changed so I'll call garage Monday, not sure if it's cheaper to buy them myself or let them but them.

Isn't it strange how it's just the nearside rear but offside silent, totally bizarre.

Only problem I've ever had with dampers was leaking seals and that was in the 1980's, modern shockers/dampers seem to hold well.

Yes I know it's only the front wheels that will be tracked, but if that rear bush/s is tattered the wheel won't be sat as it should be, so any alignment measure of all four wheels will give the garage a bit of a headache, so best get everything square before the tracking is done, that youtube video showing the tattered bushes is a right shocker.

Always the same with a car that travels on the left side of the road, the nearside gets hammered by grates/potholes/rough edges of the road, so that side is punished.

[Si_James]

1 hour ago, Ian Lanc said:

Only problem I've ever had with dampers was leaking seals and that was in the 1980's, modern shockers/dampers seem to hold well.

Yes I know it's only the front wheels that will be tracked, but if that rear bush/s is tattered the wheel won't be sat as it should be, so any alignment measure of all four wheels will give the garage a bit of a headache, so best get everything square before the tracking is done, that youtube video showing the tattered bushes is a right shocker.

Always the same with a car that travels on the left side of the road, the nearside gets hammered by grates/potholes/rough edges of the road, so that side is punished.

That's a good point about the tracking, so I'll wait until these bushes are changed before having it done.

Are you ordering these bushes yourself?, I know you sent me that link.

I really hope they will resolve this for both of us!.

It makes sense them why it's the nearside with the issue.

I'll watch that video again I was at work so couldn't see it all.

 

[Ian Lanc]

14 hours ago, Si_James said:

Are you ordering these bushes yourself?, I know you sent me that link.

Youtube is a great place to find out where other people have run into problems and their solutions and been successful in doing the job, I normally 'thank them' ....familiarize yourself with such video's and before starting out, ensure you have the tools for the job but most of all never stress out.

Yes mate I/we will be doing it, but my Son will do most of the work, he's got all the tools to do the job and the strength, I'll just dish out the orders! I've a bad back myself, so can't really do much these days but always did my own fixings, for example... a front spring snapped some years ago, garage wanted £350 + the cost of the springs to do the job, we did it and it cost me just the price of the springs at £65.  Rear spring bushes failed and the base of the springs was really rusty, garage wanted £200 + springs & bushes to do the job, we did it for just the cost of the springs & bushes at £80. Front discs & pads was badly warped & worn, garage wanted £300 + discs & pads, we did it just for the cost of the discs & pads at £45.

Next job after the axle bushes, will be the full exhaust as it's really rusting badly.

If you can do your own work, it saves you a good amount of time & labour costs and you know its not been bodged in any way and the car is safe, knowing there's no strangers clambering all over it.

[Si_James]

3 hours ago, Ian Lanc said:

Youtube is a great place to find out where other people have run into problems and their solutions and been successful in doing the job, I normally 'thank them' ....familiarize yourself with such video's and before starting out, ensure you have the tools for the job but most of all never stress out.

Yes mate I/we will be doing it, but my Son will do most of the work, he's got all the tools to do the job and the strength, I'll just dish out the orders! I've a bad back myself, so can't really do much these days but always did my own fixings, for example... a front spring snapped some years ago, garage wanted £350 + the cost of the springs to do the job, we did it and it cost me just the price of the springs at £65.  Rear spring bushes failed and the base of the springs was really rusty, garage wanted £200 + springs & bushes to do the job, we did it for just the cost of the springs & bushes at £80. Front discs & pads was badly warped & worn, garage wanted £300 + discs & pads, we did it just for the cost of the discs & pads at £45.

Next job after the axle bushes, will be the full exhaust as it's really rusting badly.

If you can do your own work, it saves you a good amount of time & labour costs and you know its not been bodged in any way and the car is safe, knowing there's no strangers clambering all over it.

Afternoon Ian,

It makes sense to do the work yourself if you can and you obviously save a lot of money in the process!.

Unfortunately I'm not in a position to replace these axle bushes myself so I'll have to contact a couple of garages I use to get some prices.

It might be cheaper to buy the bushes myself as seen some genuine Ford ones on eBay quite reasonable price.

Are you pretty confident this will resolve this annoying issue?!.

It's a good thing between you and your son you have the skills and tools to do it yourselves, when are you planning on doing it?.

I agree YouTube is great for information and how to videos, you can find out so much.

How much will a full exhaust system set you back?.

 

[Ian Lanc]

4 hours ago, Si_James said:

.Are you pretty confident this will resolve this annoying issue?!.

How much will a full exhaust system set you back?.

Only when the axle gets dropped will I see if the problem is them bushes, but I'll get me son to stick a bar in to see if they are loose, even if there's not much play I'm going to change them whilst the axle is down.

Last quote for the full exhaust was £45, can imagine it being 3 times that if fitted at an exhaust centre.

[Si_James]

22 hours ago, Ian Lanc said:

Only when the axle gets dropped will I see if the problem is them bushes, but I'll get me son to stick a bar in to see if they are loose, even if there's not much play I'm going to change them whilst the axle is down.

Last quote for the full exhaust was £45, can imagine it being 3 times that if fitted at an exhaust centre.

Well I've spoken to the garage I use now how are really good and explained the situation and that I'd like to look at changing the axel bushes to see if it cures this noise.

They are going to have a look at them first as they admit they do often go and they have changed a lot but will have checked mine and didn't show anything up so going to see what they say first.

I've asked them to check everything on the n/s/r again to see if anything out of place.

It sounds daft but is there a chance it could be an internal noise that comes and goes as it does?.

The back seat seems tight and nothing obvious seems out of place but I'm thinking could it be trim or something loose as it noticeable more when it a short sharp jolt through the car rather than say a speed bump.

It almost sounds like a rattle and a slight squeak sometimes, it's very hard to define it exactly.

I'm just thinking there isn't really a great amount to check so could it be something else!.

I know the spare is tight and the lower seat base is fixed anyway.

I do get a rattle from the rear seatbelt where it actually goes into the trim on the rear panel, it's like a metal thing in there that moves so I'm used to that.

I've left the back seats down so thought I'd drive to work tomorrow to see if I can still hear it incase it's rear seat maybe 

 

[Ian Lanc]

20 hours ago, Si_James said:

I know the spare is tight and the lower seat base is fixed anyway.

I do get a rattle from the rear seatbelt where it actually goes into the trim on the rear panel, it's like a metal thing in there that moves so I'm used to that.

I've left the back seats down so thought I'd drive to work tomorrow to see if I can still hear it incase it's rear seat maybe 

You wouldn't believe me if I told you what I've done to try and cure the clunk/rattle!!

Removed the bumper clips which had become loose, new ones fitted bumper was tight again....Nope still rattled.

Removed the lower valance and placed little bit of rubber, so the valance doesn't move....Nope still rattled.

Removed all the back seat and fitted thin rubber at the touching points...Nope still rattled.

Added thin rubber to rear seat locks....Nope still rattled.

Removed all seatbelts and checked for anything loose.... Nope still rattled.

Removed & renewed suspension dampers.... Nope still rattled.

Checked spare wheel & jack, placed cloth on the parts, tightened up fully....Nope still rattled.

Checked & rechecked exhaust heat shield, one bolt had come loose, tightened up.... Nope still rattled.

Did I ever say I'm sick of this clunk/rattle now......

 

[Si_James]

4 hours ago, Ian Lanc said:

You wouldn't believe me if I told you what I've done to try and cure the clunk/rattle!!

Removed the bumper clips which had become loose, new ones fitted bumper was tight again....Nope still rattled.

Removed the lower valance and placed little bit of rubber, so the valance doesn't move....Nope still rattled.

Removed all the back seat and fitted thin rubber at the touching points...Nope still rattled.

Added thin rubber to rear seat locks....Nope still rattled.

Removed all seatbelts and checked for anything loose.... Nope still rattled.

Removed & renewed suspension dampers.... Nope still rattled.

Checked spare wheel & jack, placed cloth on the parts, tightened up fully....Nope still rattled.

Checked & rechecked exhaust heat shield, one bolt had come loose, tightened up.... Nope still rattled.

Did I ever say I'm sick of this clunk/rattle now......
 

Well that's just incredible and hard to believe by doing all that you haven't been able to cure it.

I'm convinced we have the same issue and isn't it a pity no one has a definite fix to save all this stress and hassle.

I don't think mine is an internal noise as putting the seats down has made no difference, the rattle/,knocking is bad today but seems to be when it's cold weather.

The only thing I would say is when it's a time when the noise is bad and I come off the speed bump at work it makes a crunching noise from the n/s/r so this is why I'm sure it's got to be the spring/damper or top mount or something related to that.

Even though all there were renewed just over a year ago!, however the noise did disappear for a long time so I thought it was cured but obviously not.

They greased everything up with red grease so could it be a bush dried out but we only have the top mount and axel bush don't we!.

It's driving me mad aswell, it's such a simple set up at the rear so can't believe it's that hard.

I even considered a trip to a Ford dealer, surely they must have come across this on other fiestas.

Mine is booked in next week to garage I use now.

[Ian Lanc]

12 hours ago, Si_James said:

I even considered a trip to a Ford dealer, surely they must have come across this on other fiestas.

Mine is booked in next week to garage I use now.

I got no joy with our local ford dealership, they said I'd have to pay a labour cost just to look at our car, that was over a year ago now, what gets me is this bush/s is an MOT failure, we've been hearing the noise for 3 years now and not once has the MOT garage advised or failed these bushes, can only presume they ain't doing their job correctly.

Went to a local garage yesterday and asked them and they told me.... ''We have at least 12 Fiesta's a week where the rear bushes require changing''....Just out of interest I asked how much to do the job......£200 all in!!! I've ordered the bush set & fitting tool now, no doubt the fitting tool will come to use again as my Son has a 14 plate Fiesta ST and his girlfriend has a 15 plate Fiesta....only time will tell on their cars.

Another video of the bushes, the way this guy has changed them is totally different to the other guy in the other youtube clip.
 

 

[Si_James]

5 hours ago, Ian Lanc said:

I got no joy with our local ford dealership, they said I'd have to pay a labour cost just to look at our car, that was over a year ago now, what gets me is this bush/s is an MOT failure, we've been hearing the noise for 3 years now and not once has the MOT garage advised or failed these bushes, can only presume they ain't doing their job correctly.

Went to a local garage yesterday and asked them and they told me.... ''We have at least 12 Fiesta's a week where the rear bushes require changing''....Just out of interest I asked how much to do the job......£200 all in!!! I've ordered the bush set & fitting tool now, no doubt the fitting tool will come to use again as my Son has a 14 plate Fiesta ST and his girlfriend has a 15 plate Fiesta....only time will tell on their cars.

Another video of the bushes, the way this guy has changed them is totally different to the other guy in the other youtube clip.
 

 

I'll watch that video later so do you reckon it's definitely these bushes that are the likely cause?.

I need to make sure they check them properly, and I don't know if a worn axel bush would make that kind of noise I'm getting coming off a speed bump.

The garage I use told me they change a lot so you'd think they would have checked them on mine but who knows.

I'll forgot the Ford dealer then!, I just want it resolving now it's just annoying.

 

 

[Ian Lanc]

1 hour ago, Si_James said:

I'll watch that video later so do you reckon it's definitely these bushes that are the likely cause?.

Been pre-cleaning all the bolts around the rear axle, laid flat on my back and could see the centre section of the bush is all mangled and the rubber is dropping off in bits.

100% sure this is where my problem is.

[Si_James]

3 hours ago, Ian Lanc said:

Been pre-cleaning all the bolts around the rear axle, laid flat on my back and could see the centre section of the bush is all mangled and the rubber is dropping off in bits.

100% sure this is where my problem is.

It sounds like yours might be that then, I'm wondering if mine is a different issue but maybe not.

Surely they will spot this when it goes on if it's worn out.

[Ian Lanc]

Our Fiesta is 2010 and covered 49,000 miles! How many miles has yours covered ?

[Si_James]

1 hour ago, Ian Lanc said:

Our Fiesta is 2010 and covered 49,000 miles! How many miles has yours covered ?

That's low!! Mines a 2011 and covered about 69,000 I always forget so double check tomorrow.

I suppose it's still low for the year.

I look after it and don't thrash it, it's the first Ford I've had since I was 18 and think the Fiesta is superb really.

It feels so well engineered.

[Ian Lanc]

13 hours ago, Si_James said:

I look after it and don't thrash it, it's the first Ford I've had since I was 18 and think the Fiesta is superb really.

To be honest it's got to be the best car we've had, but it's not that it hasn't had it's problems it has, we've never thrashed it nor' abused it but since having it from brand new, all these have been sorted out now by the way.......we've had two snapped front springs - main battery died - two alloys bent - one tyre ruined - gear changing linkages stopped/seized up - rear spring bushes fell to bits - electric windows stopped working - warped front discs - bonnet would not open - chrome road wheel nut covers coming off the actual nuts - exhaust heat shield fell off.... all part of owning a ford...lol

Bush set has arrived, hopefully other Ford owners will see this thread and if they have the same annoying rattle/clunk, they'll know what it is.

[Si_James]

1 hour ago, Ian Lanc said:

To be honest it's got to be the best car we've had, but it's not that it hasn't had it's problems it has, we've never thrashed it nor' abused it but since having it from brand new, all these have been sorted out now by the way.......we've had two snapped front springs - main battery died - two alloys bent - one tyre ruined - gear changing linkages stopped/seized up - rear spring bushes fell to bits - electric windows stopped working - warped front discs - bonnet would not open - chrome road wheel nut covers coming off the actual nuts - exhaust heat shield fell off.... all part of owning a ford...lol

Bush set has arrived, hopefully other Ford owners will see this thread and if they have the same annoying rattle/clunk, they'll know what it is.

They look good 🙂 really hope it sorts out your issue.

I know mine was a few years old when I bought it but seems to have been very reliable upto this point.

Main issues since I've had it are -

Noisy water pump- changed under warranty by garage.

Squeezing front brakes at low speed, had to cure by having new discs and pads.

Rubber strip's on inside of door coming away, just glued them back on lol.

Cold start issue where it splutters and nearly stalls but seems ok now I just put redex through it a few times and works a treat.

I've got what sounds like a wheel bearing noise but after checks it's likely a rear tyre so next job after this n/s/r headache!.

I pretty sure mine has got to be spring/shocker related as it's really making a loud crunching noise from that area when it drops off speed bump but at speed it's making a noise but different I'm assuming both related.

I could be wrong and it could be axel bush, would it make that kind of noise?.

[Ian Lanc]

53 minutes ago, Si_James said:

I've got what sounds like a wheel bearing noise but after checks it's likely a rear tyre so next job after this n/s/r headache!.

I pretty sure mine has got to be spring/shocker related as it's really making a loud crunching noise from that area when it drops off speed bump but at speed it's making a noise but different I'm assuming both related.

I could be wrong and it could be axel bush, would it make that kind of noise?.

You know I thought I'd got dodgy wheel bearings whining at the rear, was going to see about getting them changed but glad I never did, the rear tyres was about 5 years old and had started to crack all around the tread, so had all brand new tyres fitted on all corners, that whining noise has gone because it was the rubber which had gone hard.

Most Fords make some kind of scrunching noise as they go over speed bumps, this is the anti-squeal bushes being compressed, If I go over speed bumps I take it steady and hardly hear this scrunching sound, the garage should be able to tell you if your bushes are tattered.

Changing my bushes this Saturday hopefully 

[Si_James]

1 hour ago, Ian Lanc said:

You know I thought I'd got dodgy wheel bearings whining at the rear, was going to see about getting them changed but glad I never did, the rear tyres was about 5 years old and had started to crack all around the tread, so had all brand new tyres fitted on all corners, that whining noise has gone because it was the rubber which had gone hard.

Most Fords make some kind of scrunching noise as they go over speed bumps, this is the anti-squeal bushes being compressed, If I go over speed bumps I take it steady and hardly hear this scrunching sound, the garage should be able to tell you if your bushes are tattered.

Changing my bushes this Saturday hopefully 

This Bridgestone on the back off side has been on a while, it was on when I bought it so I suspect it's the same issue.

The tyre place thought it was coming from this side, trouble is the other 3 are new lol.

I only had a new Bridgestone on other side because I got a nail in it, I've got two Avon's on the front and very impressed.

The Bridgestone are a hard compound.

I hope it is the axel bushes and it cures your fault and I'd like to think I've got same issue so least I know then.

I know what you mean as it makes that noise from front aswell when it's cold weather.

 

[Ian Lanc]

Well the bushes got changed today and by heck was they worn, the passenger side was so worn the alloy sleeve was almost broken away from the rubber and you could see where it had been knocking on frame which bolts to the chassis, also the alloy bush had severely flattened itself, check the photo's of the old bushes against the brand new bushes, drivers side bush was also loose but not as bad, having never renewed this type of bush it was rather daunting getting everything sorted & pressing the bush in was an eye opener, got to be dead level or it don't go in, the hardest part was drilling out the push, in the first video link he says he changed them in an hour, this is utter crap, we started the job at 10:30am and finished at 4:00pm, this was for both sides, son in laws dad popped around whilst we was doing the bushes, he was shocked to see us changing them and he owns a ford focus and had his bushes changed early last year, total cost he shelled out was a whopping £500 all in!!!!

When everything was done and the car was back done on her wheels we took it for a run, straight away...NO rattling or clunking and the whole car felt more tight, just like it did when it was brand new, going over ramps was a joy with no noise, from now on i'm going over ramps even slower.