mmmc
Almost Senior Member
Posts: 82
|
Post by mmmc on Jun 9, 2008 12:35:10 GMT 1
Hi All, I've just been reading a thread on another forum I subscribe to about a problem that is very similar to mine....So I thought I'd throw it out to the club to see if there is anyone who can help here.... forum.earlybay.com/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=7491Basically I have a clonking sound coming from the front beam area on my 70 Bay....I've had the clonking since I got the Van over 18months ago...the sounds happens when your just driving along over a general road surface...nothing nasty - just tiny ridge in the road surface. It dosn't happen all the time and whilst the noise is off putting the handling isn't affected. Had new shocks all round, new ball joints and whilst the clonking did seem to get better it never totally went away. Havin driven the van yesterday I'm sure it seemed worse! Perhaps its the way its lowered?? I beleive mine has a folsky adjuster (probably spelt wrong). I have had 2 mechanics check this out and the van has also passed an MOT recently so nothing obvious is wrong. The sound is off putting as you worry that something is wrong. Any clues??
|
|
|
Post by keredewor on Jun 16, 2008 8:03:18 GMT 1
Check for tightness and wear:-
Shock absorber fixing bolts Anti Roll Bar Mounts and Bushes on beam and at tie rod Tie Rod bushes Steering box/pin Pack the Beam with Grease
Before you do all that Jack the van up at the front so both front wheels are off the ground (Chock the rear, put it in gear and handbrake on), remove wheels and sytemattically inspect every connectng point and bush, steering box/pin, check each side.
It sounds to me like it is either the shock absorber to mount area OR Anti roll bar bushes, all easily solved.
|
|
tintop
Senior Member
Posts: 232
|
Post by tintop on Jun 16, 2008 17:43:37 GMT 1
Get someone to wiggle the steering wheel and see if you can recreate the sound.
Mine has a slight clong around the steering box area.
|
|
|
Post by steveclapham on Jun 16, 2008 22:39:47 GMT 1
Sounds like the dreaded steering relay pin to me. The wee bit of wind and unwind tension on the Relay housing is held off by the steering drag link and the long rod from the steering box. Play in the bush's round the relay pin causes a metallic clunk. This noise is transmitted along the steering rods. An early van we had failed the MOT and this problem was shown to me. I replaced the pin and bush set. Plenty of grease helps. Replaced this on another van since. Our present Bay has the same problem. Fitting the kit is straight forward. Sadly, in order to knock out the old bushs and replace the same means you have to drop the front beam. Done it twice and that bit is a tw*t. To check the play, put a lever of some kind between drag link and beam. Check for side movement in the pin. Its easier to check on a pit with the weight on front axle, shake steering wheel.
|
|
mmmc
Almost Senior Member
Posts: 82
|
Post by mmmc on Jun 19, 2008 20:06:40 GMT 1
Chaps - well I have packed the beam with grease and the clonng still happens...
Derek and Stooge - would you mind listening in to the noise at the next club meet if I drive you around the block (and the bend with my techie questions!)? 6 eyes and ears are better than 2. Cheers Marcus
|
|
mmmc
Almost Senior Member
Posts: 82
|
Post by mmmc on Jun 20, 2008 20:38:03 GMT 1
Sounds like the dreaded steering relay pin to me. The wee bit of wind and unwind tension on the Relay housing is held off by the steering drag link and the long rod from the steering box. Play in the bush's round the relay pin causes a metallic clunk. This noise is transmitted along the steering rods. An early van we had failed the MOT and this problem was shown to me. I replaced the pin and bush set. Plenty of grease helps. Replaced this on another van since. Our present Bay has the same problem. Fitting the kit is straight forward. Sadly, in order to knock out the old bushs and replace the same means you have to drop the front beam. Done it twice and that bit is a tw*t. To check the play, put a lever of some kind between drag link and beam. Check for side movement in the pin. Its easier to check on a pit with the weight on front axle, shake steering wheel. I've done some further checking today and I think the noise is coming from the steering box located behind the front bumper...thats probably what your refering to above? Sorry still learning! I#ve checked the whole of teh front axle and all looks solid to me. Is this dangerous or just annoying? Cheers Marcus
|
|
|
Post by steveclapham on Jun 20, 2008 21:20:47 GMT 1
As far as the dangerous thing goes; There seems to be an inferior design pin which instead of having a single cut away for the 'cotter pin' bolt, the crap type has a machined shoulder the entire circumferencecut . Long story, but this one sheared on my sons van. Probably because it had siezed. Although it had been swapped not 6 months before by a vw garage. There is a grease nipple at the front of the relay housing. Cram as much grease in as you can. Excess, will come out of the top and bottom seal. But still carry on pumping until you have flushed out the old grease and replenished the housing with new stuff. The steering main arm is located on the box swivel arm. Make sure the knocking is not a worn joint.
|
|
|
Post by steveclapham on Jun 20, 2008 21:34:58 GMT 1
Just to clarify...The steering relay is the assembly welded to the front axle. This has a vertical mounted pin through it. The top of this pin has a steering arm fixed to it using a nip bolt to secure it. In the centre of this unit there is a forward facing grease nipple. It may be hidden with built up muck.
|
|
|
Post by steveclapham on Jun 20, 2008 21:42:15 GMT 1
Will miss next meeting, off to Volkswagen fest at Malvern
|
|
mmmc
Almost Senior Member
Posts: 82
|
Post by mmmc on Jun 24, 2008 22:05:40 GMT 1
No worries - I'm beginning to think its the ball joints now. I've had 2 repalced within the last year so it could be the other 2 are on the way out.
Is there any way of checking?
|
|
mmmc
Almost Senior Member
Posts: 82
|
Post by mmmc on Jun 25, 2008 17:06:42 GMT 1
I think I've found the problem!
The drivers side (LHD) shock is rattling on the lower shock mount bolt...hence when you go over little ridges in the road it rattles inside the shock lower hole. It looks to me as though it may have been fitted incorrectly as there is no washer etc...had new shocks about 12 months ago and the garage shall remain nameless for now. Going to get these check out tomorrow so I will let you know the score...
Anyone had this before?
|
|
|
Post by steveclapham on Jun 26, 2008 0:16:24 GMT 1
Blimey, I hope thats a result. The metal of the shocker must be touching the bolt then. To test ball joints jack each wheel just off the ground. Then put a a tyre lever under the wheel or something similar, lever the wheel up and down. Any play here and the top and bottom joints are suspect. To be sure you need a volunteer to shove there heads behind wheel. Holding the wheel hands at 20 to and 10 past, shake, any movement here is likely to be the wheel bearing worn. Hands at 1/4 to & 1/4 past and shake, play here can be steering track rod ends and or wheel bearings. When this operation is done over the pit mechanic 2 has a torch and watchs for movement. The shocker fault would be a brilliant cheap repair, good luck.
|
|
mmmc
Almost Senior Member
Posts: 82
|
Post by mmmc on Jun 26, 2008 19:54:04 GMT 1
ITS FIXED! My shocks sockets were all too big for the shock mountings...The garage put me new boge shocks on and they fit like a glove and no noise or clonking or anything...this is a first in my van!
right whats going to happen next....
Thanks for the tips and pointers - cheers Marcus
|
|
|
Post by keredewor on Jun 26, 2008 21:07:52 GMT 1
Check for tightness and wear:- Shock absorber fixing bolts Before you do all that Jack the van up at the front so both front wheels are off the ground (Chock the rear, put it in gear and handbrake on), remove wheels and sytematically inspect every connectng point and bush, steering box/pin, check each side. It sounds to me like it is either the shock absorber to mount area . er deja vu!!!! glad its sorted though
|
|
mmmc
Almost Senior Member
Posts: 82
|
Post by mmmc on Jun 26, 2008 21:16:19 GMT 1
you hate to say I told you so...but you did!
I've been round and round in circles with this. I did look at the shock mountings when you suggested looking and I couldn't see anything wrong...So I started again. Only one of the mountings was visibly loose and I had to really rock the van to see it move.
Cheers for the tip Derek - next time I'll listen first time!
Yours....very junior, apprentice, part time mechanic Marcus
|
|