I changed the wheels on my 2002L322 from the completely impractical 22" alloys to the original 18" wheels. Before i did it, there was obviously something needing attention in the suspension as there had been a clunking sound under slow cornering/braking and a general rattle like a ball joint going somewhere - any suggestions what the most likely cause is?

More concerning, since i changed to the original wheels there is a very serious vibration between 40-50mph. I wonder is this the offending ball joint now vibrating or what? I had all the wheel balanced yesterday and it made no change. In the back of my mind i thought i read somewhere that the steering damping needs adjustment when changing to different wheels, but i don't know what this means.

Any help would be great.

Sounds like a balljoint have you got underneath car and checked them with a breaker bar for movement helps if you can get it onto a carlift as its easier to see underneath. Ive never heard of a steering damper needed adjusted between wheel sizes. Present :2008 TDV8 HSE
Gone Audi A5 2.7TDI
Gone Discovery 3 HSE
Gone Mercedes CLK
Gone Range Rover 2.5 DSE

Is the car "pulling" one way or the other? that is are you having to correct the steering to go straight? Could be steering control arm, @ £70 fitted. .
Experience is the only genuine knowledge, but as time passes, I have forgotten more than I can remember
Volvo V70 P2 2006 2.4 Petrol 170bhp Estate SE
MG Midget Mk1 1962

Previous: L322 Range Rover TDV8 3.6 2008; L322 Range Rover TD6 3.0 2002; P38A Range Rover V8 1999

Joe I hope Ruadh hasnt veered off the road such is his silence  Present :2008 TDV8 HSE
Gone Audi A5 2.7TDI
Gone Discovery 3 HSE
Gone Mercedes CLK
Gone Range Rover 2.5 DSE

Thanks for the replies fellas just haven't had a chance to get back yet - I'm still on the road!
Joe the car is pulling straight and the vibration is not in the steering.
Goo I'm pretty sure there's a ball joint gone. I haven't had a chance to get under the car yet though. Any idea which is the most likely to have gone, or are they all rubbish?
I'm going to switch one of the old 22" wheels onto each hub in turn to see if one of the 18" wasn't balanced properly - was reading on rangerovers.net that they are very hard to balance with the goodyear wrangler tyres...
You're never done with a range rover are you!

I cant advise but what I did on my old Range Rover and its free is bring it to a Landrover garage and asked them to have a look and advise what the issue is after they confirm which one it is tell you youll be back when you have some money saved to get it done then sort it yourself
Where did you go to get wheels balanced? I have had a nightmare in the past trying to get wheels balanced in and around Dublin. Present :2008 TDV8 HSE
Gone Audi A5 2.7TDI
Gone Discovery 3 HSE
Gone Mercedes CLK
Gone Range Rover 2.5 DSE

That's an interesting idea Goo. I assumed they wouldn't even look at the car without booking in - that's Spirit and Stuarts I'm thinking off of course...
I'll probably change them all and the drop links too while I'm at it. Rear hub bushes are pretty shot too from driving the Dublin and west Wicklow roads on 22" alloys - what was i thinking off!?!
All these bits seem reasonably priced in the UK. Anywhere handy on our island? Do Ashgrove do spurious parts for the range rover?

I would give Kings 4x4 a shout thats where I will get mine serviced as I have done in the past with other Landrovers and I find them great they are Independent Specialists. I would say they would also take a look and advise you for free. They are based in Wicklow Town . You could always get parts of Dan at Duckworths one of the site sponsors here probably cheaper than you would buy in Ireland.

http://www.kings4x4.com/

Hope that helps. Present :2008 TDV8 HSE
Gone Audi A5 2.7TDI
Gone Discovery 3 HSE
Gone Mercedes CLK
Gone Range Rover 2.5 DSE

Thanks again Goo. A few people have recommended Kings all right and my cousin knows the young lads fairly well. I forgot to say that i got the wheels balanced in Atlas in Sandyford, but i don't know if they have the Hunter 9700 machine that Land Rover recommend - i only read that article on rangerovers.net after i got home.

I would say Hunter 9700's are a rarity in Ireland ! I always go to Dave McCann Tyres in Clonsilla bit out of my way but they know their stuff.

The car will be super on the 18s ultra smooth ride so worth it .Good luck and hope you get sorted. Present :2008 TDV8 HSE
Gone Audi A5 2.7TDI
Gone Discovery 3 HSE
Gone Mercedes CLK
Gone Range Rover 2.5 DSE