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thebruce



Member Since: 31 Mar 2025
Location: San Francisco
Posts: 6

United States 
New owner tracking down 2 front suspension issues

Hi all - I'm a new P525 l405 owner from California. I've owned a LR3 and have an LR4 but new to the L405. Ive been trying to track down a couple suspension issues and could use some advice from the pros to point me in the right direction.

1 - When backing out of the driveway and then turning the wheel hard right and going forward it feels like something in the left front suspension moves. It's not the traditional "thunk" you get from bad LR4 control arms, it just feels like slop or some bushing is loose and when you have the wheel hard over its shifts position a bit.

I checked the forward trailing control arms and the forward lower arms, as well as the drop links and sway bar. I didnt find any obvious movement in any components - except I could twist the forward lower arms with my hand so assumed the bushings were shot. However, I just replaced them today and realized I can twist the new arms the same way. And after replacing them there was no change to the slop I feel when turning the wheel hard over. So that was 3hrs wasted...

2 - The other issue I have is when it gets hot out the front suspension starts squeaking like an old mattress. It happens only when I pick up the kids from school mid day. In the morning its fine, in the evening its fine, even driving over its fine. However after sitting with the car running for 5 mins in the parking lot on a hot day the suspension starts squeaking on the way home.


Right now my best guess is both issues are related to the active sway bushings. I'm replacing those tomorrow so we will see.

Any experience appreciated!

Post #726811 25th Oct 2025 6:08am
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Stephen.125



Member Since: 25 Jun 2009
Location: Frodsham
Posts: 1531

2017 Range Rover SVAutobiography 5.0 SC V8 Indus Silver

Welcome along.

I think this could well be related to the issues with the transfer box.

https://www.fullfatrr.com/forum/topic72256...ansfer+box

https://www.fullfatrr.com/forum/topic50586...ansfer+box

https://www.fullfatrr.com/forum/topic66892...ansfer+box

https://www.fullfatrr.com/forum/topic61692...ansfer+box


Hopefully these give you somewhere to start. I improved the "thud" feeling swapping the oil on my 2017 SVAutobiography.

Cheers

Stephen Formerly happymadison1978

Post #726858 25th Oct 2025 10:05pm
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thebruce



Member Since: 31 Mar 2025
Location: San Francisco
Posts: 6

United States 

Thanks so much!

I was able to find the source of the squeak on the right front suspension: there was quite a bit of corrosion under the right sway bar bushing. Interestingly the left bushing was fine.

I wire brushed the corrosion off and it cleaned up nicely. Hopefully this solves one of the 2 issues.

The car also feels more floaty than my LR4. It tightens up when I put it in Dynamic mode. Is this "normal" for L405s, or is there any way to see if the struts need to be replaced. I cant imagine I would need to replace those at 50k miles when my LR3 and LR4 both had well over 100k miles and never needed struts.






Click image to enlarge


Click image to enlarge

Post #726859 25th Oct 2025 11:14pm
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GraemeS



Member Since: 06 Mar 2015
Location: Wagga area
Posts: 2777

Australia 

Your LR4 would have normal shocks whereas the L405 has CVDs in which the firmness is adjusted electronically. My recently-acquired MY21 L405 is floatier than my previous L322 that also had CVDs but which didn't have a comfort and a firmer setting. For me the comfort setting is too floaty but the firmer setting is far too firm, so I always use the comfort setting. L405 D350 SE Carpathian Grey D5 19" rims

Post #726862 25th Oct 2025 11:58pm
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thebruce



Member Since: 31 Mar 2025
Location: San Francisco
Posts: 6

United States 

Thank you. Do you know if it makes it even looser at low speeds? When moving the car in the driveway I find the brakes very sensitive and the suspension super loose, so when tapping the brakes the front end will dip down. I dont see this at higher speeds.

Do you also know if you can you adjust the firmness with the GAP ID tool? I know the Sports you can customize the Dynamic Mode, but on mine I cant.

Post #726864 26th Oct 2025 12:07am
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thebruce



Member Since: 31 Mar 2025
Location: San Francisco
Posts: 6

United States 

And hello from California


Post #726866 26th Oct 2025 12:08am
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GraemeS



Member Since: 06 Mar 2015
Location: Wagga area
Posts: 2777

Australia 

Mine's brakes seem extra sensitive at low speeds when cold but I haven't noticed the front dipping. My driveway is so rough that I'm constantly looking for the smoothest path as my wife has a dud back.
I'm not aware of any other options to change the damping.

Yours is nice and clean whereas mine is always dirty, as at best I occasionally hose-off the mud and the dust from the rear window. I have Disco 5 19" rims for the mud and gravel where I drive. L405 D350 SE Carpathian Grey D5 19" rims

Post #726873 26th Oct 2025 1:18am
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