I took delivery of my 58 plate TDV8 with 29k less than 4 weeks ago. It was then requested by the dealer for return to them for an early mot to cover the extended manufacturers warranty...And this occurred last week. At the same time I pointed out that that the suspension was knocking, creaks were manifest from the suspension, and a strange popping noise also was noticeable from the rear. The car was returned to me the same day with an early mot and as "suspension issues had been identified" a request for the vehicle to be returned to them today.
Meanwhile the creaking, and noises increased all last week.
The upshot today is a call from the dealer to say £3000 of work was needed to replace various drop links, ARC arms (?) etc and would I collect the car and return it to them next week after the parts had been ordered.
Well I refused as I thought they were intent on repairing it today. Furthermore, having spent over £36k in the first place the vehicle is nearly undriveable.
Obviously these faults should have been identified prior to delivery, and they were not. As we all know, these suspension problems have not been resolved permanently by L/R and the dealers and when my vehicle has been refitted, presumably after a similar mileage (in my case after 18 months) a similarly sized bill will re-occur.
Discussions are underway, and I guess an extended extended warranty will be offered.. However, I think, I'd prefer to change the vehicle (do I still have the right of rejection?..I'll have to check) and get a D4. I don't intend to fall out with the dealer over this as I always prefer to work with people than against them.
What I don't comprehend, is why L/R has not recalled the vehicles (and mine is probably unsafe to drive) and fixed the problems. There are a zillion threads on this site ref suspension issues and unless you read this forum and download the TR bulletin and give it to the service dept, very little will occur proactively from L/R.
I have had plenty of L/R vehicles in the past, been on loads of LRE courses, and as many of us have, had to put up with foibles and gremlins which have always been attended to. But here seems to be a long term major issue of which no permanent cure is available.
The other issue is..how on earth did it pass the mot??

Last edited by peanutbob on Thu Sep 08 2011 10:46pm. Edited 1 time in total

I'm with Drdill

They all creak.. they all knock (in varying amounts)... if my garage had offered to foot a £3k bill to replace most of the links etc then I'd have ripped his arm off... RRS gone
Audi SQ5...Gone Audi Q7 S-Line 240 3.0TDI Gone
Audi A6 Allroad Sport 270 3.0TDI

awd man wrote:

I'm with Drdill

They all creak.. they all knock (in varying amounts)... if my garage had offered to foot a £3k bill to replace most of the links etc then I'd have ripped his arm off...

And given him the Super Pro bush kit to fit instead of the O/E stuff, sooooo much nicer, takes a lot of the movement out. 08 2.7 RRS "S"
Td5 110......very modified
RS 5
Kawasaki ZX12R me, it's quick !

I've just had an update from the service dept. Both ARK arms are being replaced as faulty. According to their records both of these were replaced last April as well, so they think there has been a faulty batch of these. As the vehicle was p/exed with them (judging by the road tax records) at the end of March, then the vehicle has done 700 miles since the fitting of the last set of ARK arms.
Should be ready tomorrow...hooray!

Sorry but I may not be reading this post correctly, are you being asked to pay for this?, a 58 plate is still under warranty ?
I have recently had both front and rear dynamic stability bars ( ARB's) replaced under warranty, which I was told comes as a kit from Land Rover and includes all brackets, bushes, links etc. Now there is not a sound from the suspension, I wasn't even aware there was aproblem with the rear one ! Both dampers had been leaking oil.
I would imagine that these were not cheap repairs.

All under warranty. Original L/R warranty expires end September 2011, but as is usual,when I bought the vehicle end july it came with a 12 month manufacturers warranty.
Now, the replacement ARK bars should cure the creaking suspension and the odd popping sound from the rear, but whether the front suspension knock is also cured remains to be seen after collection.
Aftter this, I will fit 19" 255/50 wheels and tyres which I recently purchased off this site, which will give a smoother ride. I also think (and stand to be corrected!) that 20" wheels with 40 profile tyres gives the suspension a right hammering on UK roads, which is another reason to change!

Well, I didn't get my car back on Friday, as it has, tomorrow, to go to a specialist 4 wheel drive alignment centre. So, it should be ready later on Monday. In the interim Hatfields of Liverpool had lent me a Volvo Estate, not the big one, but the next one down, whatever that is with a 2.0 litre diesel engine. And I have to say it's a little cracker..shoots around, very capable, does a lot to the gallon (now sure how much...but a lot), aircon works a treat, good speakers. When I got it I thought this is yawn station zebra, but actually it's rather splendid. Anyway, thumbs up to Hatfields for their diligence!

Update today : the creaking has recommenced
It started several days ago, and now is becoming quite obvious, with 2 metallic noises from both the middle and rear! So, whether the arc bars/ or drop links are failing for the 3rd time remains to be seen! I did call the service dept who were busy...so another call to them tomorrow.