Strange Noise from Underneath

[Steve_gts]

Hi All,

I've been on here quite a few times reading stuff, but have only just signed up as I am in desperate need of advice!.

I have a 2.4, Diesel, Auto Surf. Over a month ago it started making a strange noise from the front, so took it to a local garage who replaced the wheel bearings (front drivers side I think), it was fine for about 5 weeks.

It's just started making the same noise again, however it's making a second noise now too.

The original noise (which is back) which tends to kick in around 50mph, but can be as slow at 20mph, is pretty loud and sounds like the tyre is pressed on the wheel arch (it's not), except it jumps up and down an octave sometimes, it can usually be stopped by accelerating or braking by 10 mph plus, but is more frequent on a longer run. It sounds bad outside too as people stare, even people inside other cars!! It sounds like it's coming from the front somewhere.

The new noise which only started this time around, is a deep rumble (sounds like a diesel generator ticking over) it starts at around 15-20 and is constantly there, it doesn't change pitch with the revs or speed, only when I come to a stop does the pitch drop slightly and then it stops completely (usually at about 10mph), this noise will also often cut out for a couple of seconds when i go over a bump. Just as I got home yesterday it seemed to be accompanied by a metallic clattering noise too.

Does this sound familiar to anyone? I took it to a garage yesterday (a guy who does quite a few 4X4's) but he said he'd never heard that noise before. And the weird thing is that having the wheel bearing done fixed it for a few weeks, but now it's back with the other noise too.

Thanks,
Steve

[Koi]

Bronze bushes, sounds from a hammer drill to a rumble

[Vultch]

Koi is the expert but I'v had Universal joints on the propshaft cause all sorts of loud weird noises...

[Steve_gts]

Thanks guys,

But would either of these tie in with the wheel bearings being done, as that stopped it completely for several weeks, could that have caused a temporary fix somehow?

Also are either or both suggestions likely to create several different noises. or is it more likely to be multiple problems which just happened to coincide?

Thanks,
Steve

[Koi]

It is possible I suppose changing the bearing may have had a temp fix.
I know mine would do it for a few hundred yards then nothing, sometimes for a day other times nothing for a week until they got real bad.
The bronze bushes can make all sorts of noises, mine started with the occasional low rumble noise then nothing for a several days. Then progressed to a louder rumble, metalllic type of sound and then sounded like a hammer drill x 10, thought something was about to explode, made people stare as you drove down the road.

As above UJ's, you should be able to get under the surf and give the UJ's a good tug, any play will show up. Worth giving them a grease whilst your there.

[Steve_gts]

Thanks Koi,

It should be fairly easy to reach as have a body lift and big tyres on there.

I'll go have a poke around tomorrow when it's light outside.

Cheers,
Steve

[Wolfracer]

Thanks Koi,

It should be fairly easy to reach as have a body lift and big tyres on there.

I'll go have a poke around tomorrow when it's light outside.

Cheers,
Steve

This is only a "might", but...
Before you go messing with bushes etc just check that the inner plastic arch liners in the forward half of the front wheel wells are fastened back on their clips. If not, with 33's they can bend back at 50mph+ and rub against the wheel making a great big clattering sound. Mine both did it after the lift. Now both safely cable tied back...

[Steve_gts]

This is only a "might", but...
Before you go messing with bushes etc just check that the inner plastic arch liners in the forward half of the front wheel wells are fastened back on their clips..

Thanks Wolfracer, but no it's not those :-( that would have been far too easy. More likely knowing my luck it's something much more serious and expensive!

[Ploddit]

Is there a chance that the bearings having settled in need to re preloaded?

[Steve_gts]

I've had someone looking at it now and they seem to think it's the transfer box, which means a new gearbox, which means it's a write off (2-3 months after buying the thing!) or the front axle, do these sound feasible? They didn't know what the brass bushes were, so I had to look it up and explain it to them!

Apparently it won't make any of the noises when jacked up with all wheels off the ground, so it makes it very difficult to locate

[gary-r]

I've had someone looking at it now and they seem to think it's the transfer box, which means a new gearbox, which means it's a write off (2-3 months after buying the thing!) or the front axle, do these sound feasible? They didn't know what the brass bushes were, so I had to look it up and explain it to them!

Apparently it won't make any of the noises when jacked up with all wheels off the ground, so it makes it very difficult to locate

ignore the person that looked at it if he doesn't know what bronze bushes are. - iv'e never heard of a surf transfer box breaking - they last forever.

you wont hear bronze bushes with the wheels off the ground - they need to be loaded. a cobbled road is the best test for them - makes worn ones clatter like mad.

i have the same opinion as koi - bronze bushes. your new wheel bearings probably took up the play and the noise came back as soon as they bed in.

[Steve_gts]

Thanks Gary,

I've spoken to 2 mechanics about it now, and it seems that nobody knows what the bronze bushes are! Is it something specific to the Surf or something?

Someone said it could be on a manual gearbox, except mine is auto, or something to do with the free-wheeling hubs, is it either of those?

I'm working blind here as I know almost nothing about maintaining a car, the local garages seem to know about the same amount about the Surf and there isn't a 4x4 specialist in the area! Does anyone know anyone who works on Surf's anywhere around here ? (here being between Swindon and Salisbury)

[gary-r]

look here - bronze bushes

http://www.roughtrax4x4.com/?doc=11&cid=146

[flounderbout]

Thanks Gary,

I've spoken to 2 mechanics about it now, and it seems that nobody knows what the bronze bushes are! Is it something specific to the Surf or something?

Someone said it could be on a manual gearbox, except mine is auto, or something to do with the free-wheeling hubs, is it either of those?

I'm working blind here as I know almost nothing about maintaining a car, the local garages seem to know about the same amount about the Surf and there isn't a 4x4 specialist in the area! Does anyone know anyone who works on Surf's anywhere around here ? (here being between Swindon and Salisbury)

Don't let any more mechanics indulge in potentially expensive and probably futile guesswork. Also don't assume a 4x4 specialist will be any better. Usually 4x4 specialist means Land Rover specialist. Which means "specialist in very basic thing indeed".

Get it to Basingstoke for TonyN to sort out.

[Koi]

somone said it could be a manual box and yours is auto and none of the mechanics have heard of bronze bushes says it all, do not go to anymore so called mechanics
As Henry (flounderabout)said give TonyN a call and get him to look at it, hes in basingstoke, well just outisde.