john banks

My A2 is groaning/humming on low speed turns such as parking or low speed junctions. Doesn't matter what direction, left, right, forward or reverse, whether accelerating, coasting or braking, clutch in or out. Power steering fluid is full, and there is no noise when turning the steering wheel when stationary.

It was doing it before I changed the front discs and pads recently, and then I didn't notice any obvious play in the wheel bearings, nor could I see any leaking CV joints.

It is a temporary car, want to fix before I sell it, but not at great expense as I've already done brakes, cambelt and other odds and ends.

So, CV joints, front diff, wheel bearings? Something else?

Given it is in both directions equally it would seem odd if it is one CV joint, presumably the front diff on a front wheel drive car will be open and shares the gear oil, worth changing the gear oil?

AndyC_772

iTrader: (2)

Power steering pump?

john banks

I thought that at first, but then realised it didn't do it when stationary, which presumably put even more load on the power steering?

Gear Head

iTrader: (2)

worn top mounts.

john banks

Thanks Chris, I'll try to get a look at them. Would you expect ratting noises from the suspension over bumps?

I also wondered about engine mounts, as apparently this can make the same noise. There is a little more vibration than I expected in a car like this.

MJW

Steering rack ?

Diesel

Hmm - dont mean to hijack but my 530D has started groaning on right turns when I push it a little - sounds like a humm/groan and is a medium rather than low pitch. Is this likely to be a power steering pump as mentioned above? (I feel the power steering is less effective when winding lock quickly already...).

Thanks & sorry!

D

john banks

No problem Diesel, carry on.

If the steering rack, would I expect the noise when turning the steering whilst stationary? It doesn't sound clicky like I've previously heard from a CV joint, the pitch doesn't particularly change with speed either, neither does it change when you wind lock off. I'll try to drive it around the farm roundabout with clutch in/out, engine on/off when the wife brings it back from the train station tomorrow. I get her GTI for work tomorrow Never thought I'd look forward to driving that car

Leslie

Could be a wheel bearing which could make a noise with sidethrust from either direction.

Les

Coffin Dodger

Check the fluid level. Missus old Megane used to do this until I cecked the fluid for her and found it to be nearly empty Quick trip to Halfrauds and problem solved. No idea where the fluid had disappeared to mind, got rid a few months later anyway, shockingly knackered car

Dunk

iTrader: (1)

It could be a seized track rod end. I thought I was facing a nasty bill many years ago when the rack creaked on my Fiat Coupe, £75 at a decent independant & I was very relieved !

D

Diesel

yes of course - thanks mate. Should look under the bonnet before t' internet!!!

D

thesyn

Thought the A2 was supposed to be a cheap run around until the datsun arrived.
Didn't realise that you planned to re manufacture it

john banks

It was, but I would feel bad selling something that wasn't tip top. Probably shooting myself in the foot though and won't get my money back. It might go to the mother in law, and I don't want her in something dodgy as she is actually a very nice mother in law

Jamz3k

x2 just had mine replaced on the 147 for the exact same reason.

john banks

OK, the noise goes away if you dip the clutch or put it into neutral. It does not go away if you left foot brake whilst the engine is powering the car in gear. It is only at less than 10mph.

Am I right in suggesting this is now less likely to be suspension or wheel bearings? It does sound like it comes from the engine bay rather than either side, and it does it in both directions. Is it worth changing the gearbox oil hoping that it might quieten down a noisy diff? Any other ideas?

john banks

Had a good look underneath, and sprayed anything I could with silicone spray, makes no difference. All the CV boots and bushes looked good. Top mounts look rather difficult to get to though. Had a good look at the transmission dogbone mount, looks OK and has vibration at the gearbox end but not at the chassis end. I could not locate the noise to either wheel from the outside when the wife drove it around in circles in either direction.

There seems to be no conventional drain plug for the transmission, the service book just shows the refill bolt. The lowest part of the gearbox is pictured, presumably removing one of these would drain it?



Can't think of what else to do with it.