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Thump....thump....bang! *metallic Grinding Noises*

rb26stagea

By rb26stagea,
in Four Door Family & Wagoneers

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rb26stagea Grand Master

rb26stagea

Posted
Posted

so.....

After having my rear discs and pads replaced, I had an ongoing quiet grinding noise, which I thought was an issue with clearances/bad caliper/whatever...

I went on the Skyline Charity Cruise '09 today (Great to meet you, Hanso!), and the car was feeling a little sluggish, but it was a very hot day, so I put it down to a possible seizing caliper and the rather high ambient temps. I also thought that the rail on my drivers side seat must be loose, because I got a small thump (from what I thought was weight shift) on acceleration, and around some corners.

However, upon leaving the cruise, I began to notice a slight thump through the drivetrain whenever I changed gears, which got progressively worse on the way home (around 35km): the last 3 gearchanges were a real worry! Anyway, so I get to my place (thankfully), put the car into reverse (so I can back into the carport), and then:BANG!!!

I stopped the car, and then very gently disengaged the clutch again, managing to get it into the carport, but the noise from the rear end is like a tumble dryer full of bolts: I suspect my rear diff has let go in a big way...

In hindsight, this would explain the metallic grinding noise that I thought was the brakes, and the unusual amount of lockup I was getting from the rear wheels during slow, tight cornering (parking, etc...)...

So it kinda sucks, but I was intending on getting a set of closer diffs anyway: the car does over 180kph in 3rd gear (pretty tall, I thought...?), and the new audio install isn't the lightest thing either, which has taken a bit of the edge off the performance.

I'll get the car towed to my mech tomorrow to ascertain exactly what has broken, but I'm pretty sure it's the diff (hopefully not a drive shaft or gearbox!). I'll need advice if it's the diff: has anyone changed theirs for aftermarket? Opinions??

I'll update soon: this will be interesting :devil: ...

...And probably expensive...

darrinspencer Grand Master

darrinspencer

Posted
Posted

Hey Micah this is a long shot.

There could possibly be a rock wedged in the rear end somewhere since we did drive on some wet gravel roads for a few K''s today.

It does sound a bit worst than that but sometimes it is the simple things that cause problems.

rb26stagea Grand Master

rb26stagea

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Towing it is the only option: it's not a happy car - flatbed is booked for tomorrow morning :thumbsup:

I doubt it's a rock: I've had the rear end noise and the extra rear end lockup for a few weeks now, and if I think about it, it's been pretty understeery for a while now. And when it went bang, I thought someone had run up my rear: it was LOUD!! The problem is I have been switching between the V35s, Petie's little XR4 and the stag for months, and the stag ALWAYS feels fast after you get used to a slower car... I was having issues on the cruise today: it was a real handful on the twisties, and I was sure the steering was loading up a heap more than usual, now that I think back.

Meh: it's all good: it was booked in for the interior retrim tomorrow, but the trimmer has moved workshops, and hasn't contacted me or returned my calls, so at least I have those funds to throw at it: I may have to go for a cloth interior... at least it's nicer for summer, and lighter...

Anyway, at the end of the day I had every intention of switching to closer diffs, so this just makes it happen sooner :)

My defis have arrived, as has my oil filter relocator, and my radiator, oil cooler, centre diff cooler and strut brace are just waiting to go in, so I'll get all that knocked over at the same time: I may not have a schmick interior for the Stagea meet, but at least I'll have a working car with heaps of redundancy...

Fast before comfort, as usual...

I'll keep you informed! Will make sure we get pics: hoping for significant destruction!

rb26stagea Grand Master

rb26stagea

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Hmmmm.... "good" news: it would appear that due to the awesomeness of grip, coupled with 'spirited' driving methods, some rear cradle bushes have .... erm....disintegrated, resulting in massive diff movement (the thumps and bangs), and the tailshaft rubbing on the rear swaybar (the metallic grinding noises)...

At this stage, the diff appears to be ok (bugger! I was looking for an excuse to upgrade!), but the yoke/uni section of the tailshaft has been subject to considerable stress due to the crazy angle it had to sit on, so we're a bit dubious about it... My mech is looking into it as I type:

I'll let you all know how it goes...

rb26stagea Grand Master

rb26stagea

Posted
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ha ha "the trimmer has moved workshops " what a trimmer

sorry all

I was aware of the move when I booked it in: he was already in the process of moving. He comes very highly recommended, and the examples I have seen of his work are extremely impressive...

rb26stagea Grand Master

rb26stagea

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ok, so the prognosis is "yoke bushes":apparently, there are washers that hold the bushes in place, which don't appear to have ever been there in my car (obviously these were overlooked during the engine/gbox conversion). Basically, either some hard launches (I'm looking at you, GreenGhost!!), or some very spirited driving with the death machine (motorbike) boys has popped the rubber bushes out, culminating in the entire rear diff assembly coming loose.

We have replaced the bushes with factory ones, and added the washers, but are looking for a decent aftermarket option which will be fitted once the trimming is completed.

Thankfully, it looks like both the diff and tailshaft are none the worse for wear, but I'll reserve judgement until I've had a chance to drive it again (radiator, etc being fitted now)...

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