S
Shutpa
Even over the slightest of bumps there is a knocking noise. Any ideas?
Drop links probably
Agreed 
The trade refers to them as 'stabilisers'.
They connect the anti roll bar to the front strut or wishbone, and I replace loads.
John
The trade refers to them as 'stabilisers'.They connect the anti roll bar to the front strut or wishbone, and I replace loads.
John
Depends on where the OP is. If it's Cornwall then it could be spirits from the tin mines making their escape.
S
Shutpa
Sorry guys, it's a vauxhall zafira coming up for 6 years old. Most of you seem to agree that droplinks(?) are behind the knocking so will now google that.
S
Shutpa
Now that I know what they are and how much they roughly cost:
a) how can I check to see if they are the cause of the knocking, and,
b) are they easy to replace?
a) how can I check to see if they are the cause of the knocking, and,
b) are they easy to replace?
Should be in the region of £15-20 per pair. They aren't hard to change but you'll probably need soome molegrips to take them off and some allen/torx keys to put the new ones on.
They're sometimes called stabliser links here http://www.vauxhall-car-parts.co.uk/acatalog/Zafira2_Front_Axle.html £8.75 for example. Check the year.
They're sometimes called stabliser links here http://www.vauxhall-car-parts.co.uk/acatalog/Zafira2_Front_Axle.html £8.75 for example. Check the year.
S
Shutpa
Local garage quotes £80ish to replace both. What do you think?
Thats a tad on the high side, £65 / 70 would be more realistic, with them supplying the parts.
Should not take more than an hour.
Wotan
The aggro with these things is that they don't show up wear when the car is jacked up......
Taking them off can be an issue because you have to stop the ball joint from rotating when you undo the nut. If the end of the ball joint shaft has a hex or torx end I find them nearly impossible to hold as the head just chews - hence its out with the angle grinder to slice down the flats of the nut. If yours have spanner flats on them then thats ok.
John
Taking them off can be an issue because you have to stop the ball joint from rotating when you undo the nut. If the end of the ball joint shaft has a hex or torx end I find them nearly impossible to hold as the head just chews - hence its out with the angle grinder to slice down the flats of the nut. If yours have spanner flats on them then thats ok.
John
You can feel movement in them if you lift both front wheels off at the same time, obviously with the use of 2 axle stands for safety
Both wheels off the ground is how you should replace them else they will be under tension and that`s not good for removal/re-fitment.The Zafira should have either 17mm or 18mm spanner flats on the ball side, you have to be careful when fitting the new links you don`t push the rubber gaiter off the shaft recess, they are a PITA to get back on.
Paul.