Club 80-90 Forums

Hi all:-)

I have a problem and my mechanic too:
Van: 1985 WBX 1.9lt with 5 Speed Gearbox. 254000Km
Problem: Slowly but surely a slight knocking sound (rear right hand side) appeared when turning right, around and over 90 degrees of turn. Like when leaving the motorway (autobahn in my case, living in germany).
The sound went away once the clutch was depressed, then on reengaging it the sound would return. Last year the sound was very quiet, I had some repairs done to the brakes and certain parts of the suspension. And when I picked up the van the "T3 Specialist" said he didn't know what it was. A year later and after about 600km the sound now is quite loud so I took it to a Garage nearby. He firstly thought it could be the Drive Shaft, and replaced the Right Hand Side one. After a test drive, sound still there, he turned it around onto the otherside and the sound was still there. So according to him. its not the drive shaft. He then removed my gearbox and found "certain parts of it were worn down" and we decided (spare parts being around 900€) on a new gearbox and clutch. Which was fitted yesterday. Unfortunately he wasnt able to take a good test drive so when I paid my 2000€ and wanted to drive home. Well, the sound was still there, the same as before, to my dismay. I've returned the van to the garage and am waiting for a new diagnosis. But, I thought it might be a good idea to ask in my favourite forum if any of you have any ideas what it could possibly be.

Bit long winded, but its hard to explain stuff like this in a shorter version.

So if anyone managed to read it through and understand the problem, it would be great to hear from you.

Thanks and have a fine sunday and an even better start to the week.

Best
Marlowe

It sounds to me like it could be a cv joint but wouldn't the mechanic have checked them when he did the drive shaft?

CV joint.

If the new gearbox didnt cure it it must be cv joint or rear bearing assembley.

Mind you, whatever it cost to buy and fit gearbox must have been several times the cost of four new CV joints. Thats the first thing I'd have done for sure - particularly if they'd not all been replaced. Euro Car Parts or GSF for joints - avoid ebay chocolate copies. Lobro, GKN, anything else is pants. Deffo a job that can be done at home.

I had almost exactly the same symptoms. After trying loads of different things it just turned out to be one of the 4 gearbox mounting bolts at the front of the box was missing. A few quid for a new bolt and all fixed now.

Maybe worth just checking everything is nice and tight.

Yep, almost forgot mountings. Worth poking around. If all in good order, it'll be CV jolnt. Often they're difficult to diagnose although you could try squeezing fresh grease underneath the lip of the boot and see if the problem diminishes. If it does, the joint is close to old age.