[PatSwayze]

Hello all,
I'm new to this forum and fairly new to Range Rovers in general - just purchased a 2003 Range Rover Sport HSE (143,000 miles). The only non-maintenance related work prior to purchase was the replacement of the front driver's side air strut with an Arnott replacement (but the prior owner took great care of the vehicle in all aspects).
I have had the vehicle for 4-5 months now and from the first day I have heard a metal clanking underneath up front of the vehicle anytime I hit the brakes to stop or anytime I hit a bump (speed bump, pothole, etc.). I have taken the vehicle to two separate shops (no dealerships) - first shop replaced brake rotors/sensors and replaced the shifter cable and neutral transfer switch. Still had the noise. Second shop did a full control arm replacement (but stated he was unable to get the bearing/bushing? out of the control arm end). The metal clanking over bumps lessened after the control arm change, but there is still a fairly loud clank when hitting my brakes to stop (noise occurs about halfway down pressing the brake).
Is this something normal with a vehicle this age? If not, are there any suggestions as to how I can fix this?

 

[Rovah]

Willing to bet the culprit is the sway bar links or sway bar bushings. First check to make sure the nuts on the links are not loose. Then check the sway bar bushings for play. I would also inspect the bolts securing the front calipers and the front braking system. Something is loose. I had this very same embarassing noise a bit after I replaced my front struts and it turned out that I somehow didnt tighten the sway bar link to specs. One of the bolts wasn’t fully snugged and it was allowing for free play.

 

[envogue]

Check the stone/dirt guard on the brake discs, sounds like a baking tray when loose. A quick fix if loose is a large washer as the hole normally rots out.