Jayton Posted January 23, 2011 Report Posted January 23, 2011 I've tried searching for this problem and the search function reveals nothing (in fact keeps telling me I'm searching using less than 3 characters or for html, img etc). The problem started this morning, and easiest way to reproduce it is to take my foot off the accelerator let the car slow down a little and then accelerate again. There is a nasty clunk that reverberates through the chassis, you can even feel the clunk :) Other ways to reproduce the problem are to drive over the speed humps in my cul de sac which are the width of the road and as high as a small child or sometimes when just driving in the Tesco car park straight line newly surfaced tarmac... I've replaced the drop links for the second time in 6 months with the expensive 'heavy duty' ones only 2 weeks ago and I still had the usual drop link noise, albeit not as bad. I'm at wits end with this bloody car! Quote
Mirez Posted January 23, 2011 Report Posted January 23, 2011 If its a sloppy clunk you might want to read this: http://www.fordgalaxy.org.uk/ford/index.php?showtopic=21141&st=0&p=156786&&do=findComment&comment=156786 Quote
George106 Posted January 23, 2011 Report Posted January 23, 2011 I had the same problem for past 10 months and problem was in absolutely dry joint (connection between hald shaft assemly and gearbox stub) as Mirez quoted above and the "clunk" is generated by movement in this dry joint. If you put a bit of grease in the joint, horrible noise should disappear and also you will prolong life of the connection. If you experience some steering wheel vibrations when driving around 50-70mph they could be also caused by worn joint. George Quote
cyborg Posted January 23, 2011 Report Posted January 23, 2011 Hi there jayton, Something to check for your front control arm Wishbone trailing arm bush rubber failure.It will cause same clunk as the rubber has come away from metal spindle If the steering is off centre that would be a pointer.As they take 2.5 ton of stress the bushs are only 6 pound each they can be hacksawed out and tapped in with large socket and hammer. Quote
gregers Posted January 23, 2011 Report Posted January 23, 2011 could it be the engine stabilizer bar?? Quote
Jayton Posted January 23, 2011 Author Report Posted January 23, 2011 That's brilliant, thanks Mark. hmmm when I changed the drop links, I'm sure I noticed red dust and just put it down as brake dust... I'll have a search for checking the Engine Stabilizer bar, I'll get the shafts checked next weekend (only time I will have) as per the vid by Mark. As it's only started would it be safe enough to drive it for the next week or so until I can confirm if it's the drive shaft or engine stabilizer? Seeing as George106 has had the same problem for the last 10months... ? Friggen' good thing I already decided to put Quote
cyborg Posted January 23, 2011 Report Posted January 23, 2011 Was giving the shed a tidy this afternoon and took a couple of snaps of a wishbone so you know what to look for this one still has rubber attachedmost of the time you end up with metal cylinder complety detached causing clunking sound's http://lh5.ggpht.com/_PdOMpb38CEw/TTxpFyFxuAI/AAAAAAAAASM/bbXw50jcayQ/S8000450.JPG removed getting ready to replace http://lh5.ggpht.com/_PdOMpb38CEw/TTxpGuISEdI/AAAAAAAAASU/FLi6aAPEfMY/S8000452.JPG Quote
Jayton Posted January 23, 2011 Author Report Posted January 23, 2011 My nearside wishbone was replaced for the MOT, so I doubt it is that already. I can't find the engine stabilizer on EKTA or on the usual sites I use for parts <_< Anyone know roughly how much they cost? Quote
cyborg Posted January 23, 2011 Report Posted January 23, 2011 My nearside wishbone was replaced for the MOT, so I doubt it is that already. I can't find the engine stabilizer on EKTA or on the usual sites I use for parts <_< Anyone know roughly how much they cost?Try looking for 'Engine mount bracket' Quote
George106 Posted January 23, 2011 Report Posted January 23, 2011 My nearside wishbone was replaced for the MOT, so I doubt it is that already. I can't find the engine stabilizer on EKTA or on the usual sites I use for parts <_< Anyone know roughly how much they cost?Try looking for 'Engine mount bracket' May be they thought engine/gearbox bracket VW part number 7M3 399 201G . Quote
mikej Posted January 24, 2011 Report Posted January 24, 2011 Not something simple like a track rod end maybe, had to change two on mine recently sounds and feels similar to the drop links although tends to clunck when taking up drive, slowing and changing up and down box etc as well as bumps in road <_< Quote
Jayton Posted January 24, 2011 Author Report Posted January 24, 2011 Thanks for all the advice so far, I assume when jacking the car up I only need to do one side at a time when checking for play in the components? For my own reference, which may help others.Track Rods, Quote
Jayton Posted January 28, 2011 Author Report Posted January 28, 2011 Track rods turned up this morning and the mobile mechanic I use isn't answering his phone, I've left messages and nothing... so screw 'em. ^_^ The other garage I use can't do them till Wednesday now... Are they hard to change? They quoted me 2 hours to change them @ Quote
sparky Paul Posted January 28, 2011 Report Posted January 28, 2011 Ball joint splitter, and you might need some heat to remove the old ones. Quote
chrispb123456 Posted January 28, 2011 Report Posted January 28, 2011 Track rods turned up this morning and the mobile mechanic I use isn't answering his phone, I've left messages and nothing... so screw 'em. ^_^ The other garage I use can't do them till Wednesday now... Are they hard to change? They quoted me 2 hours to change them @ Quote
mikej Posted January 28, 2011 Report Posted January 28, 2011 (edited) QUOTE: They quoted me 2 hours to change them @ £80 +VAT. <_< Bloody hell 2 hours, has this guy only got one hand then, have you checked them at all to see if there is any movment in them ? and does this price include the parts ?As already mentioned make sure you get your tracking checked after Edited January 28, 2011 by mikej Quote
Jayton Posted January 28, 2011 Author Report Posted January 28, 2011 No Mike, he's got some monkey's in the form of apprentices <_< Still cheaper than the other garages around here @ Quote
sparky Paul Posted January 28, 2011 Report Posted January 28, 2011 Having a chat with a mech-minded mate he's told me of an easier way to remove them without using a ball joint spliter :) requiring only to remove the lock nut and using a trolley jack, hammer and some spanners <_<A whack with the hammer usually works, but you can't beat a good balljoint splitter when you get one that's stuck fast. ;) Quote
cyborg Posted January 28, 2011 Report Posted January 28, 2011 jay have a play and see if you can adjust the track rods first, i think it will help you make you mind up to under take job . If there seized its oxy torch to heat up then unscrew..... Redneck balljoint splitter is a 2.5 lb lump hammer not the commen house hammer <_< Quote
Jayton Posted January 28, 2011 Author Report Posted January 28, 2011 I had the tracking done last year so they should have been loosened then right and hopefully not too tight now? <_< I'll have a fiddle before I start undoing the lock nut and see if they're toight like a tiger or not. Knowing my luck they are as is everything on the damned car.Going to swing by Focus and get a 4lb lumpy as the biggest I've got at the mo is 16oz I think :) Quote
sparky Paul Posted January 28, 2011 Report Posted January 28, 2011 Going to swing by Focus and get a 4lb lumpy as the biggest I've got at the mo is 16oz I think :) Don't knock the steering arm off the hub casting! <_< I've seen it done! Quote
Jayton Posted February 5, 2011 Author Report Posted February 5, 2011 Piece of P1ss to change :D dunno what all the fuss was about :) I'd rather change them than hand wash the car, probably quicker too :lol: Calipers also changed and noticed the top mounts also need doing, just ordered them and will get a mechanic to change those sod changing them with my crap tool set. Quote
sparky Paul Posted February 5, 2011 Report Posted February 5, 2011 noticed the top mounts also need doing, just ordered them and will get a mechanic to change those sod changing them with my crap tool set. If it's really excessive movement in the top mounts you have noticed, that's completely normal when the car's weight is off the suspension. Quote
Jayton Posted February 5, 2011 Author Report Posted February 5, 2011 Not just movement, but creeky noise when pulling/pushing the springs. I've replaced pretty much everything else on the front suspension bar the shocks and springs which are fine. Quote
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