Knocking/Does your drive shaft move?!

[Kitegirl]

Hi All,

Last year I had a problem with a 'knocking' noise.. eventually I forked out and had both front CV joint thingies replaced, and the drivers side drop link.

All was good for about 4 months then came the knocking again..

The garage said it was the rear D bushes for the anti roll bar so I forked out for them and fitting, only to drive off and the knocking be exactly the same... Took it back to the garage and 2 mechanics looked at it and couldn't find the fault.. said it could be anything and without starting to replace the other drop link and front D bushes and the connections in from the drop links (which could all run into money I just don't have) there was almost no way to tell what was causing the noise..

So I've been driving about like this for about 5 months now and it's doing my head in. On straight, even road it's fine but my street and many around it have speed bumps and the entry road to work is uneven and this constant knocking makes my van feel like a bag of old spanners!

So, my boyfriend has had a look under the body for me just now and says both the rubbers on the front drop links are perished and the universal drive shaft had a lot of movement and that it shouldn't move at all...

He thinks the drive shaft moving is maybe causing additional work for the front links and that's possibly why the rubber has gone after less than 9 months since being changed.. I'm wondering if it was because I got the cheaper £17.90-ish each silver one and not the mazda proper one that's black and about £45 delivered..

I don't know if this is connected but it sometimes has a knocking when I'm doing a 3-point turn and am on full lock too..

We're going to France in summer in it and I just want to stop it sounding so rubbish.

Does anyone have any ideas for us?

Does it sound like a huge and expensive job for us, or does your drive shaft move a bit too, in which case it might be something else?

As always, all help appreciated...

Dee

[mikexgough]

my 1st reaction was Front Drop Links..... and when I read your post again........ Front Drop links..... easy job and not too expensive....you can DIY at home

Plus .....Drop links vary in quality and longevity...... some have only lasted 3 months or so....

[Kitegirl]

Ok well unless I hear otherwise then I think I'll just replace both front drop links this time and hope that sorts it..

Do you have to buy the whole piece or can you just replace the rubber bits that are the things that seem to have gone?

[Kitegirl]

Ok well unless I hear otherwise then I think I'll just replace both front drop links this time and hope that sorts it..

Do you have to buy the whole piece or can you just replace the rubber bits that are the things that seem to have gone?

Oh, and probs best to buy the proper Mazda ones instead of the cheapies?

Just worried that I'll spend the extra and in 3 months the rubber bits will have gone again.. really hope you can just replace the rubbers!

[dreamwarrioruk]

1995 vauxhall vectra ones fit also, cheaper than mazda ones and ive used at total of 2 sets in 5 yrs so still quids in, last time they were £11 each from local motor factors.


the front antiroll bar bushes are an easy fix and are not expensive to buy, second item down

http://www.japautosolutions.com/acatalo ... nsion.html

usually knocking when on full lock is the cv joints.

[Kitegirl]

Thanks Dreamwarrior!

Will these do the job?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/VAUXHALL-VECTRA-B ... 1244wt_912

Much appreciated

[Kitegirl]

But, does anyone else's drive shaft have a little movement?

Am wondering if it is this that's causing the problem and will just do so again in another 3 months?

Phew, am hoping this relatively inexpensive fix of front links and anti roll bar brackets does the job..

Thanks ever so people, feeling much less tearful than I was 2 hours ago!

[dreamwarrioruk]

they will fit but im unsure of the quality of those unit. have you got an andrew pages/partco nr you.
have just checked my front drive shafts and there is a little play when wheels straight, nothing when wheels turned. some play left and right on main shaft but would expect that.

just a point, what are the condition of the front tyres, do they feel flat when you run your hand over them or do they feel like they are castling, ie up and down.

[Kitegirl]

Mike,

Boyfriend has just checked drive shaft with wheels turned and says there is still the same movement..

Not sure what you mean about the tyres?

Is this the right drop link? http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Vauxhall-VECTRA-C ... 1192wt_912

I'll have a look and see if we have one of those places near us. We have Waterloo Trade Parts which I know many of the garages use.. Just rang them and they said £20 inc VAT for a pair of Vauxhall Vectra 1995 drop links, but asked me for the reg of the vehicle and said I'd need to be sure they would fit.

[Kitegirl]

Right, there's an Andrew Page in Hull. Just rang and the guy said if they're the ones for a 95 onwards Vectra then it'll be £27 for the pair inc VAT.

Apparently these are a pattern one too, do you think they'd be better than the others I've seen?

Waterloo's were only £20 inc VAT and they're a trade parts place too..

What do you think?

[dreamwarrioruk]

dee
go for the waterloo ones, at that price there cheap enuf. if you fit the expensive mazda ones you would be upset if they pack up after a few months, at least cheaper ones make it seem less on the pocket, u could afford to use a few sets up. they do fit as i said thats all ive used on mine for the last five yrs and i would put another set on no worries if needed.


tyres, if you run you hand along the tread is it the same level or does the tread feel bumpy (not the grooves) it can show that there may be some abnormal wear sometimes to do with the front diff.

[Kitegirl]

Thanks Mike, got the drop links from Waterloo and it's booked in Friday to have them and the brackets fitted (so hope the brackets arrive tomorrow!)

Ordered new timing belt kit and filter kit and booked her in for a service next Friday. They're going to look at the drive shaft for me at the same time so fingers crossed.

Many thanks for your help, hoping all's well after the work

[byejason]

This may sound dumb, but make sure its not your aerial banging against the roof. I had a knocking noise I just could not track down. It sounded like it was coming from down by the drivers footwell. I replaced all the drop links and it was still there. Next I thought maybe something was loose in the door. Then one day I was driving along with the window open and I could hear the knocking closer to my ear. Turned out it was the aerial banging on the roof Push your aerial back in so it's not extended and see if the knocking goes away. Or stick your hand out the window and hold it when you hear the knocking to see if that cures it. You never know !