Noisy alloy subframe bushes?

[Colesy]

Due to one noisy knackared OEM subframe bush I swapped the front bushes for alloy subframe mounts. The car now drives great and the old big clunk over bumps has gone.

But now I seem to have different noises (small tappety clunks) from them at very low speed over bumpy - especially gravel surfaces. I've check all bolts and they are still fully torqued (80nm). All the other bushes and top mounts are pretty much new & the cv joints don't seem to have any play.

So my thinking is that the metal on metal of the new mounts might be the reason? Is this a common problem or is there something wrong with my setup?

[madpugger]

ARB drop links?

[irishs2]

Check the exhaust down pipe, the slight different thickness of the top part of the alloy bush might have brought down the subframe a few mill but enough so the weld on the downpipe might touch off the subframe.

[Colesy]

ARB drop links?

They're newish as well!

[Colesy]

Check the exhaust down pipe, the slight different thickness of the top part of the alloy bush might have brought down the subframe a few mill but enough so the weld on the downpipe might touch off the subframe.

I'll have a look at this but tbh it doesn't sound as tinny as I'd expect the dp knocking to be.

[Colesy]

Check the exhaust down pipe, the slight different thickness of the top part of the alloy bush might have brought down the subframe a few mill but enough so the weld on the downpipe might touch off the subframe.

The downpipe clears the subframe by at least a fat fingers width so I'm sure it's not that. Any other ideas?

[Colesy]

Anyone else have any experience of this with alloy mounts?

[mcandmar]

Makes no sense, alloy bushes are solid so shouldnt make any sound. If your only hearing the clunking noise at slow speed or small bumps its either roll bar links or a worn out ball joint.

[andy10v]

Did you do the roll bar bushes on the subframe?

I know you said most stuff is new but I would look at drop links and top mounts as they can fail early, or instantly if you got crap ones or an bad luck one.

Suspension wise there is not to much to check;

top mounts
wishbone bushes
drop links
lower ball joints
track rod ends
arb to subframe bushes
subframe bushes
inner steering rod bushes

I guess the solid subframe bushes will transmit anything more the rubber ones.