banging noise

[veritycupcake]

Hi.

I've noticed a loud knocking noise from what sounds like underneath my van (a lhd 1.6td westie high top).

It's more noticable when i slow down approaching junctions and especially when I take my foot off the accelerator.

Also it's something that seems to happen after I've been driving for an hour or so.

Afraid I'm totally clueless when it comes to this kind of thing but need to learn so any thoughts would be appreciated.


Thanks.

[rugchucker]

Hi

First thoughts are the cv joints on the drive shafts. You dont say whether the sound is coming from front or rear. I've even had a noise like that from a loose gas bottle in a locker.

Favourite to get someone to sit in the back and try to identify where it is coming from.

Good luck

Des

[veritycupcake]

Hi Des,

Thanks for the reply.

It's a left hand drive van and the noise seems to be coming from the rear on the drivers side (left).

It's a lot more noticable when the accelerator is out and seems to stop when i push the accelerator back in.

Excuse my ignorance but what are 'cv joints' would they be affected by the accelerator?

Thanks again.

[rugchucker]

Hi
The CV joints are what connects either ends of the drive shafts between the gearbox and rear wheels. When they get past their sell by date they can knock, normally on overrun (slowing down). On a front wheel drive vehicle they knock when turning.

Des

[Rozzo]

sometimes they can "dry up" as the grease they're packed with gets old and stiff. it may be worth squirting some gear oil into them (under the rubber boots) and driving it around. if its a dried up cv joint the noise will go away which means they simply need re-packing with grease.
worth a try imo
oh and get yourself a haynes manual
and fill your profile in
and welcome to the club

[ghost123uk]

Probably not this, but for safety, check your wheel nuts, I have had mine come loose once and they can make quite a loud clicking noise.

Also, it's not backfiring on the over-run (slowing down) is it ?
Less likely on a Diesel but not impossible. Often caused by a leak in the exhaust system.

Welcome to here - all you need to know is here

Where are you in the world ?

Regards, John & Gill in Chester

[CovKid]

A loose or insecure CV joint can also cause this. As above, check rear wheel nuts then get underneath just in front of the engine and grab hold of those two shafts coming out of each side of the gearbox. Move them around, backwards and forwards and side to side and see if they move with a dry clunk. Any play or dryness is indicative of wear or neglect or both. If so, initially try pumping grease inside the rubber gaiters (not easy) and squeezing it towards each end to force it into the joint. I replaced my joints and gaiters for under £50 each shaft to ultimately solve the problem although a thorough greasing may well prolong their life. Alternatively you could remove each, clean them in parrafin, dry, regrease and fit a new gaiter but you might as well fit new as go to all that trouble.

P.S. Very useful to pick up a S/H driveshaft to which you fit new joints, that way you can replace each shaft one at a time as patience (its a dirty job) permits. Then you're only swapping old for new rather than taking one off, stripping it down, replacing the joints and gaiters then refitting which can take a whole day. I think Marcus (Merc Doctor) takes a spare shaft if he goes anywhere too far (ie abroad). That way if one does fail, he can just swap by the roadside. Not sure I'd go that far but replacing the joints ultimately solved it for me and transformed all the vibration and clunks I'd worryingly become too used to. Put it this way, theres NO play movement in my new ones anywhere and pull-way is more precise as the lag caused by play in those shafts has gone. Just feels better all round and no more 'tock tock tock' at slow speeds on roundabouts and left hand turns.

The fact yours knocks sounds like more accute wear so check play as i've said then find a S/H shaft or whole driveshaft, fit new joints and just swap old for new. Oh and buy a load of latex gloves. Its a horrible dirty job and its far easier to rip off dirty gloves than wash your hands after!

[toomanytoys]

As suggested.. wheel nuts and cv joints... you can check wheel nuts... but you are going to struggle with the CV joints

Can you fill out your approx location in your profile so we can suggest someone near you that can help

[veritycupcake]

Hi again.

Thanks so much to everyone for their replies.

I really appreciate the swift responses.

I'm based in Suffolk if anyone can advise a good garage.

Thanks again.

[ghost123uk]

I'm based in Suffolk if anyone can advise a good garage.

Not sure about Suffolk ( I am Ooop North ) but there are VERY few garages in the UK that can be trusted with a T25 for anything other than fitting tyres !!

Some one will come a long and hopefully recommend one near you but DO post here before taking your van to an average garage.

i.e. there is a recent post on here re a guy who is having to pay over £500 labour to his local garage fit an exhaust system, (though to be fair to the garage these can, and often are, a real pain to do on the flat 4 Petrol engine).

Folks on can, and will help

.

[CovKid]

Depends how far into Suffolk. Down that way, John Austin at Marks Tey would be your best bet (A12) plus theres a great transport cafe close by for a slap-up lunch + super-sized slab of bread pudding while you're waiting. It is a DIY job if you take your time though. Just dirty really.

I'm in Bures Sept 7th - 17th if you want someone to help you with it though.

[veritycupcake]

Very kind of you Covkid.

I'll give John Austin a try.

Thanks all.

[CovKid]

If you do go there and John is there, tell him you were sent by the hubby of Debbie the red beetle owner who had a crewcab with a beetle engine in. Tell him I moved to Cov but haven't forgotten him! Lovely bloke and knows his stuff!

He's based smack on the Marks Tey roundabout - you should see his building across the other side of the roundabout as you come off the A12.

Alternative is you wait till September, pop along to Bures with new CVs and gaiters and I'll fit them for you. Can't say fairer than that. I've alwats got a 2-ton jack on board plus complete toolkit and I have aroud 20 acres of land to myself that week so happy to help. The pattern ones on ebay (about £90 for all four) are ok if you want to save your pennies. Best to buy a pot of graphite grease too. Kits do come with grease but better to have plenty in there in my view.