My car goes in later this week to have the infamous noisey front suspension looked at (again). The problem is, despite all this time I have NEVER been able to reliably re-create it at will. I'm hoping that isn't a problem because it does happen quite frequently - but sods law will say when the master tech comes for a ride with me - it won't happen.

It is really bizarre - I can go over pot holes -one minute no noise - next minute I get the clunk. Sometimes just small bumps or dips in the road will cause it and then not. Sometimes the weight shifting on the car as I go around cambered roundabouts and come off will trigger it and the next minute - silence.

I've tried the recreate process as described in the technical bulletin (0557) - but again that is unreliable.

Any help on reliably recreating it much appreciated as I don't want a wasted journey and no doubt arguments when they claim they can't hear anything in the limited time they allow for a test drive.

Remove the golf clubs from the boot when you visit the Master Tech

The cabin of an L405 is so quiet you can hear the slightest noise, even the sound of your own movement such as clothing etc. Personally, I turn up the sound system !

I was thinking of getting a 405 but if you can hear the sound of your own movements - I'd better start drinking less first  Geoff

Fleagle, ask the fitted to check the bolt in the valve block that fouls the fuel pipe! Its quite a well known noise

The technical bulletin itself has some good examples of things that cause the noise- have you tried all of those?

"The technical bulletin itself has some good examples of things that cause the noise- have you tried all of those?"

errr. read my original post?

Well, I took it in - thankfully the master tech (who I've know a while and trust) heard it straight away and said it isn't normal. We went on a long test drive and he found some good roads that caused it do it quiet often. We then pulled over and he pulled the fuse to the Active Suspension and then carried on. The noise went away. - He said it proves that the noise is coming from the ARC system rather than general suspension and that is where they'll start to look for fault (arc valve block/ damper / bar etc). Again thankfully - he knew all about tech bulletin 557 which re-assured me.

I'll update this thread when I get more feedback from them.

Whoops, sorry. I’ll be having similar discussions with my dealer shortly

My dealership are saying its the ARC valve block that needs replacing. - warranty have refused to pay.

let us know what your dealership says.

Need to decide my next steps as I sure as hell aint forking out ££££.

Cam-Tech-Craig wrote:

Fleagle, ask the fitted to check the bolt in the valve block that fouls the fuel pipe! Its quite a well known noise

To close this off if anyone else suffers...

*Problem defo diagnosed as needing new Active suspension Valve Block.
*Extended Warranty refused to pay citing "inherent problem"
*Dealership approached LR customer services who within 24 hours approved and agreed to pay for the full cost of repair.
*Dealership did work in one day.
*Collected car today did road test with the Master Tech.... and.......Bliss....no noise....sorted.....relief.

Have to say it has also transformed the ride of the car too. Much sharper on bends (less lean), holds the road much more confidently and bumps don't seem as jolting. Feels like the car *should* feel like.

The full job performed;

1) replace valve block
2) replace active suspension reservoir (built in filter often clogs)
3) flush and repressurise with new fluid.
4) check tracking

Mine didn't need the new ARC Bar as it already had the revised part from new.

Full credit to Inchcape Chester and, unusually for me, to Landrover - they earned some kudos points back.