Intermitant strange noise!!??

[ropeman23]

Hi,

My van has done this since I've had it. I've only covered around 3000 miles in it and it hasn't got any worse, but it's really annoying and a bit embarrassing.

It's a fairly loud metallic clanking noise, a bit like someone hitting a saucepan in time to the engine revs. It only happens in gear. I've tried free wheeling and the noise is definitely not present. The noise (when in gear) is more present when I come off the throttle, under load it subsides.

I've had a good look under the rear end and can't see anything hanging off, all engine mounts seem to be ok, I've also had both wheels off and can't find anything unusual there. The only thing I have noticed is both driveshafts have lateral movement (move towards and away from the engine and wheel). If I grab hold of it and push it backwards and forwards when it moves towards the wheel it makes a noise, I think similar to the noise I'm hearing. Is this movement usual? It feels sprung and probably moves 1/2 an inch or so in either direction.

Any ideas?

[CovKid]

Time for a driveshaft stripdown and regrease or replace buddy. It won't get better.

[ropeman23]

Guess what I'm doing tomorrow

[CovKid]

Tips if you do.

1) have a volunteer who comes out now and again to shower you with praise and the odd cuppa.
2) Clean out all CV bolts with a small screwdriver first, to remove any grunge - you don't want the removal tool not fully home and rounding the star or allen key heads.
3) Wear latex gloves and change them regularly. Marigolds are ok if you're stuck but bad for street cred.
4) If you're intending cleaning and regreasing (and the amount of slop in yours suggests it will be a temporary measure at best) then use parrafin to clean, dry then repack with grease. If you're not replacing them then you might just as well pump more grease in there in the short term and forget the cleaning.
5) If you get an obstinate bolt, a lump hammer and chisel will eventually force the bolt to move.
6) Undo shaft from gearbox end first
7) If you end up replacing the joints, save the ball bearings - kids love to play with them but do not give to small children for obvious reasons.

[ropeman23]

Thanks for the advice.

1st I'm going to re-grease. Just to keep me going for the next couple of weeks. I don't use my van as a main run around so it should be ok. Pay day at the end of the month guess I'll be buying 4 new CV'S then.

[Mocki]

the lateral movement is normal..... as Covkid said, its time to look at replacing them tho...however, regrasing will shut it up for many miles.... when it makes the noise, get under and "wiggle" the shaft laterally, it should shut it up again..... i ran with mine like this for 10,000 miles a few years ago when times were hard and i didnt have a replacement..... it never failed, just pee;d me off

[CovKid]

If you're REALLY desperate and are definately going to replace CVs very soon (and no MOT ahead), fill a grease gun with CV grease, make a small hole in each gaiter and pump grease in, squeezing the gaiter to force grease towards each joint. I did that last winter and it lasted a couple of months or more. Just an idea if they're definately going to be replaced but it'll leave the joints more prone to grit and water via any holes you make. It'll probably spin grease underneath the vehicle a bit too but as a last desperate measure ahead of a refit, its better than nothing.

[ropeman23]

Went for the easy option this morning. I didn'tmake a hole in the gater, I managed to get the end of my grease gun in at the shaft end with the aid of a screwdriver. gave them all a good 20 pumps with the gun and squeged it all around. Hopefully that'll shut them up till the end of the month.

Cheers guys

[Red Westie]

Hey guys, I'm sure you are right but wouldn't it be more usual for CV's to make a noise under load? not on overrun?
Martin

[ropeman23]

Did a good 60 - 70 miles today and no noise, seems like the temparary cure has worked. Thanks guys.

[CovKid]

Hey guys, I'm sure you are right but wouldn't it be more usual for CV's to make a noise under load? not on overrun?
Martin

In my experience they make a noise when they feel like it but noticeably a slow speeds on roundabouts At high speed they can rumble like a good un.

[jaylo264]

CovKid , what grease do you use for CV grease ?
Cheers , oh and ps i tried to get a pastel white combicolour for my AH kamper by mixing a WEE bit of yellow into their white , i now have pale yellow! must get more white tomorrow .
jaylo

[CovKid]

Well, as an emergency (and I MEAN emergency) you could use normal high melting point stuff (better than nothing) but what you want in there is the black lithium grease. If you buy kits it'll come with this but I put in an extra dollop for good measure so a pot is probably a good idea.