Knocking noise/ Steering wheel vibration

adam · Post by **adam** » Thu Apr 19, 2007 6:22 pm

Hola all

Well i have just made it to madrid after spending 1 week in biarritz and the bongo seems to be running well except for 1 slight problem, i was hoping someone using this forrom cold help diagnose.

After around 10 minutes of driving and only when speeds of around 70mph are reached and a pot hole struck- there is a violent shaking to the steerng wheel that last for a few seconds.

Also when starting of on eiter a slight left or right hand lock there is a noticeable knocking coming from the front and slight vibration to the steering wheel, this stops when around 10mph is reached and/or steering wheel straightened.

The second sympton i think is common when a cv joint is defective but am unsure as to the first sympton.

As you can imagine taking the bongo to garage where you dont speak the lingo is quite a daunting prospect so i would value any input.

Rgds
Adam

SimonT · Post by **SimonT** » Thu Apr 19, 2007 7:00 pm

The first thing that I always try to do is to replicate the problem with the vehicle stationary.
Try putting the wheels in different positions and getting hold of the top of each in turn and giving them a good shake. Also try butting your palms under the gutter and rocking the vehicle. The next thing I would do is to crawl under the vehicle and get hold of various bits associated with the wheels and suspension and give them a shake to see if anything gives a little.

francophile1947 · Post by **francophile1947** » Thu Apr 19, 2007 7:02 pm

Hi Adam
CV joint noises usually occur when full, or nearly full lock is applied to the steering It would be unusual to get any noise on a slight lock unless they were very badly worn - I would have thought you would have noticed a long time ago.
Your first problem sounds worrying to me - it could be a steering fault, such as badly worn track rod ends. Personally, I'd grab my phrasebook and head to the garage. It might well be something trivial but, if I was miles from home, I'd like it checked.

dandywarhol · Post by **dandywarhol** » Thu Apr 19, 2007 9:48 pm

Sounds like the dreaded viscous coupling trying to unwind Adam...........................do you have 4 evenly worn tyres or is there a chance that a pair are more worn (as in tread depth) than the other pair?

adam · Post by **adam** » Fri Apr 20, 2007 8:01 am

dandywarhol wrote:Sounds like the dreaded viscous coupling trying to unwind Adam...........................do you have 4 evenly worn tyres or is there a chance that a pair are more worn (as in tread depth) than the other pair?

4 new tyres not so long back (3000km) no sign of wear on them as of yet!
The noise seems to be coming from the front drivers side would this match up with your therory of the viscous coupling dandy

pippin · Post by **pippin** » Fri Apr 20, 2007 8:21 am

I reckon you are going to need this:

http://babelfish.altavista.com/

dandywarhol · Post by **dandywarhol** » Fri Apr 20, 2007 3:07 pm

What's probably happening Adam is the viscous coupling isn't working properly and the transmission system is trying to "unwind" itself.
By hitting a bump in the road the wheel temporarly leaves the ground for a split second and like a clockwork spring unwinds itself causing the vibration.

If your tyres are similar tread depths then it sounds like the V.C. (hope it hasn't damaged the diff!) is at fault. I'd be inclined to disconnect the front propshaft and see if it still does the vibration thing.

I've been told that the Army procedure on their Landrovers (without a 3rd diff) is to clatter one of the front wheels off a kerb to allow the transmission system to unwind

SimonT · Post by **SimonT** » Fri Apr 20, 2007 6:16 pm

I've been told that the Army procedure on their Landrovers (without a 3rd diff) is to clatter one of the front wheels off a kerb to allow the transmission system to unwind

Another solution I used when I was working on Landrovers was to go and find some mud and spin the wheels out there

BongoedIslander · Post by **BongoedIslander** » Fri Apr 20, 2007 7:31 pm

Paul . .its impossible to give a definative answer to your problem . .the knocking on moving with some lock could be the CV joint ! But more critically . .that violent shaking of the steering wheel at speed !! get it to a garage . .hand gesticulations and fevered pointing notwithstanding . .you need to get that sorted . .just may be a leaking front strut . .does she seem 'soft 'on the front suspension? if the shocker has failed ..you may be experiencing the enertia of hub and wheel weight unable to be controlled by a soft shocker after hitting a pot hole . .have a look at the front struts for signs of oily wetness from the coilspring..downwards to the back of the hub assembly . .anyway dont keep trying to replicate the problem at 70mph!!!

get it checked out immediately . .good luck

BongoedIslander · Post by **BongoedIslander** » Fri Apr 20, 2007 7:49 pm

just a little postscript regarding landrovers . .up to series 3 . .they had a selectable 4x4 . .and it was only recommended to be used off road /mud/snow . .transmission wind up would occur if used on hard tarmac for some distance, and as suggested a little run on a grassy/muddy surface would cure the problem . .but IMHO I dont think thats Pauls problem ..

BongoedIslander · Post by **BongoedIslander** » Fri Apr 20, 2007 7:53 pm

SORRY . . .Adam !!

adam · Post by **adam** » Tue Apr 24, 2007 7:42 pm

Thanks for the comments/ ideas people tryed some of it and had agood poke round and can not see anything wrong with wheels or suspension set up!

Drove another 400km today down to cordoba from madrid with no problems just stayed at 55-65mph the whole way, no shaking or vibrations so fingers crossed i can make it to the costa del sol where i know of an english mechanic who can have alook for me!

Thanks again all!