Another Mystery Noise

[Guest thewavster]

Hi,

 

I've just stumbled across your forum whilst trying to find an answer to a problem my sister has with her 03 Galaxy Tdi.

 

As you may have guessed from the title the problem is a mystery knocking noise that when driving the car seems to be coming from in front of you (and maybe towards the passenger side?). It seems to have increased in frequency when it occurs, but it isn't possible to force it to happen by replicating situtations. i.e. driving on the same road at the same speed. But is does seem to mostly happen between about 25-25mph, but doesn't seem particularly to be related to the bumps on the road.

 

Any ideas? I appreciate this is all a bit vague, but I thought there is always the chance that it's common problem with a known fix to people here! B)

 

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

 

Dan

[Guest MATT]

are you sure that it isn't the exhaust that's knocking, gab hold of it, and move it around, and see if its hitting anything, or bring the engine close to a stall, and stall it.

 

MATT

[Guest thewavster]

Cheers Matt,

 

I think my Dad had tried moving everything he could find, but I am popping over there tonight so will ask him and if not give it a go.

 

Thanks for the speedy response, will report back!

 

Dan

[seatkid]

Its probably that common problem, one or both anti roll bar links worn. Fortunately they are not expensive and it is an easy DIY job to change (but needs a bit of muscle). It should be done under warranty if your car is in warranty.

[Guest thewavster]

Hi,

 

That sounds like a possibilty also, looks like I could be trying to shake her car tonight then!

 

The car was bought about 8 months ago second hand from a Ford dealership. Is this the kind of thing that would be covered by a 2nd hand warranty? Or would the car still be covered by the orignal manufacturers warranty as it's less than 3 years old?

 

Cheers

[jkspoff]

Definately a warranty item, that is covered by the manufacturer, upto 3 years. As mine were replaced by Ford free.

[Guest thewavster]

Hi,

 

Just thought I'd pop back to let you know it was the Anti-Rollbar link and it was replaced free under warranty!

 

Hoorah! :rolleyes:

 

Thanks for your help guys, always prefer to have a good idea of what's wrong before visiting a garage!

[HJT]

Yeah!! Very common problem. I've had 2 new sets on my 2002 Galaxy (both under warranty).

 

Howard

[springen]

How much should I expect to pay for one of these links ? Are they 'handed' left and right ?

On Swedish, German & French parts website they appear to be

[mustie]

You can get them for

[mustie]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/FORD-GALAXY-VW-SHARA...1QQcmdZViewItem

[springen]

Thanks Mustie - reckon I'll go for two.

[~adema~]

Lucky you Wavster.

I posted the exact same problem the other week. But whereas you got a a nicely labelled photo with an answer to your problem, i got spouted off at. :) by the same person too.

Can't help but think i must have done something wrong at some point.

~adema~

[HJT]

Did you get your new one fitted? and did it stop the grinding noise?

 

Howard

[Masked Marauder]

Lucky you Wavster.

I posted the exact same problem the other week. But whereas you got a a nicely labelled photo with an answer to your problem, i got spouted off at. :) by the same person too.

Can't help but think i must have done something wrong at some point.

~adema~

Seat Kid is very old school in as much as he believes drivers should be familiar with their vehicle and, on a frequent basis, look over it for things that are obviously wrong.

 

IIRC your anti-roll bar link was hanging off and dragging along the ground. You complained of a dragging noise, not a knock. If I hear anything dragging along the road I look to see what it is, as would Seat Kid.

 

I think if you put a photo up asking "What is this, it was dragging along the ground" then Seat Kid would have given you a very different response.

 

Like him, I too found it interesting that you looked on a web based forum for an answer to your problem before you even looked to see what was dragging along the ground.

 

I am sure that you will find the forum helpful in the future, like I said though, some people are a bit more hands-on and expect a bit of investigation before a request for help.

[bigdaddy]

Seat Kid is that a big nail in the bottom left corner of your tyre,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, Well done to the man in the mask!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :D

[seatkid]

Can't help but think i must have done something wrong at some point.

Lighten up adema, I promise not bite your head off again (as if I did...:D )

 

As then, you are forgiven for the cardinal sin of not looking before leaping... :D

 

And for your penance, Ten "Hail Marys", Two "Our Fathers" and "TSB No.72/1998" :D

 

Go in peace....and may your problems be little ones.... :blink:

[~adema~]

Hi Guys

Over the last few weeks my mk1 gal has developed a strange new noise.

Every time i steer left, theres a sort of rubbing grinding sound, but i can't tell if it's coming from the suspension or the steering system.

 

Dragging along ground?? :D

 

Anyway, nice one Seatkid. Sorry we got off to a bad start.

Hope you can help me again in the future, not that i'm hoping i get too many problems with the old gal...lol.

[Guest adekeys]

Its probably that common problem, one or both anti roll bar links worn. Fortunately they are not expensive and it is an easy DIY job to change (but needs a bit of muscle). It should be done under warranty if your car is in warranty.

Needs a BIT of Muscle!!!??? Took 2 hours to do one side and had to grind the bottom one off.....quick stop for lunch and on to the other side :)

[springen]

You're not kidding took me hours too. I managed to bend the old bar totally out of shape - wish I had taken a picture of it now. I think the problem is you are working against the 'anti-rollbar' which flexes. Reckon you need to 'jerk it off' - Oops that will get censored - but I hope you know what I mean!! I had to use a 'nut-splitter' in the end. I only did the N/S the O/S is OK at the moment.

[seatkid]

Needs a BIT of Muscle!!!???

What a girls blouse... :) .

 

I think the problem is you are working against the 'anti-rollbar' which flexes

No! :) Use a large spanner on the flats provided on the bolt, or, in later designs, an allen key socket wrench in the end of the bolt to hold it. And you need a spanner, or socket with a long bar on the nut to acheive the required torque.

 

Use the right tools for the job......

 

Reckon you need to 'jerk it off'

:lol: I know that DIY can been rewarding, but it doesnt excite me that much! :lol:

[springen]

I had a spanner on the flats jammed up against the suspension leg, but trying to turn the nut just resulted in bending the link arm. It was basically bl**dy tight. Anyway did it in the end. All part of the fun of working on cars yourself !

[Guest adekeys]

:) :lol: :lol: Fixed it... other side only took an hour, must be getting stronger. :)

[Mussey1]

When I changed mine the nut was so tight I broke an 18mm socket (it fractured into pieces) and my hand flew off the handle so fast I nearly broke my knuckles on the suspension strut.

 

When I did the other side I sprayed plenty of wd40 onto the nut and let it sit for a hour or so and also wore some heavy gloves just in case.

 

It would definately be an easier job if the car was on a ramp.

 

Mussey1.