So today I got the passenger side done, as that was the side where the knock was most evident. Shock, isolators, spacer tube, lower bush, both roll bar bushes and both track rod ends.

Happy to say that my knock is gone and tomorrow I'll replace the shock etc. on the drivers side. The steering does however seem a little bit vague and wandering a bit, but I'll put that down to tracking, which I got as near as possible. Monday I'll go to my local wheel man and have it done properly.

I suspect the good and bad shock won't help handling either? Anyway, I'll know better tomorrow when I finish things off.

Thanks again for the input.

 

So, yesterday I got the drivers side sorted and all is quiet and knock free. The only downside was poor handling, stiff steering and serious tramlines, which I put down to the tracking being way off. The replacement track rod ends were longer than the originals so it was hard to get them even half right.
But today I got the tracking done and she is once again a dream to drive!

Thanks again for all the responses.

 

I forgot to mention that when fitting the lower shock bushes, I found the first one to be very tight, awkward and a nuisance to line up straight, to facilitate fitting. Given that they are fitted to the car, as opposed to the actual shock, it makes things a bit more difficult. I used the threaded bar/washers/sockets approach and lubed everything up to help matters along. But it was still tough and awkward going.

So, on the opposite side, I first put a small chamfer on the leading edge of the bush. I was surprised to find that both ends of the bush were quite "square".

The chamfer helped matters greatly, as it made it easier to line the bush up in it's housing, facilitating an easier entry. Still tight but much easier!