Thanks everyone :)

I just wanted to say thanks for this great forum and all the info on it

Just got my Fronty and already fixed two faults with your help.The Airbag light was always on (loose connections under seats) and temperature gauge wasn't working (loose spade on sensor at back of the block).

When I picked it up the was a knocking sound and feeling coming through the steering whenever I accelerated/decelerated and went over a bump. It's going back to the garage next week they want to replace the Hardy Spicer joint. They're paying for the repair so they can replace anything they like as long as it fixes it

Next thing I need to decide on is tyre and wheel sizes and what type to get. So far it's looking like 15" AT's of some sort, got more reading to do

ATB,
Stuart.

http://www.4x4tyres.com have a pretty good selection of rims and tyres. If you buy rims and tyres together they'll fit and balance them for you, plus they do free delivery on anything over £150

I don't think it's the joint either, can't see how something on the prop could give the knocking, banging and weird feeling through the steering. The garage that's doing the work MOT'd it the morning I picked it up so maybe they've missed something and are covering it up while they fix it? The works all being paid for so no matter what they do if it fixes it I'm happy.

Thanks for that link Furball, looks like a good selection there. It's mostly dirt tracks and forest roads I drive on when out wild camping but I also use it on road. I'm thinking AT rather than MT tyres and I've been reading 15" with a bigger profile would be better than 16's. It has 245x70x16's on just now.

Hmm.. well.. personally I've been running around on Nexen Roadian ATs for a while and have found them to be quite civilised on road and perfectly able to deal with the sort of stuff you are driving on (probably not aggressive enough for laning though). They should cost you £60 - £70 each.

You might also consider putting A series rims on as on the B series the offset makes them stick out a bit, which both looks cool and (presumably) helps with off-road stability

You can see the effect here... http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c310/ ... GP2100.jpg

That knocking could also be an engine mount.

Wheel bearing may just need nipping up, The hardy spicer or Universal joint, have they said whether it is the front or rear prop that is at fault? I dont think the rear would transmit through to the pedals if it was worn and the front one shouldnt be turning when on road anyway.

However, if the garage is paying for it then you may as well get whatever you can replaced while you can.

It's the front prop they're talking about. I hadn't thought about it not turning when in 2WD until you mentioned it.

Hmmm... it's definitely worn with a lot of play in it, maybe the banging I'm getting is more down to the steering box? You can really feel it through the steering column when your going over even the smallest bump in the road. The car steers fine around corners, just this noise that sounds as though the front end is hanging off and banging when bumped.

As you say, the garage is going to fix it so they can change everything they like

Just a pain I can't get out to play in it yet.

Another thing to have them look at would be the steering column bolts. There are three of them under the steering wheel shroud and they have a habit of working loose.

I checked the bolts the other day after I read about them on here, everything's tight.

The garage is going to phone me tomorrow with a time to get it in for repair and they're giving me a courtesy car while it's in.

Thanks for all your advice and suggestions

I'll let you know what they change.