The pain has started! Strange clonking/banging **Solved**

[horney 0]

Blimey not had it a wek and the gremlins are well up and running! Already lost my spoiler motor, now this!

 

On my home from work tonight I heard a bang, though I must have hit a big stone or small creature in the road and carried on. Then about 5 mins later I noticed a knocking noise so turned the stereo off. It seems to be coming from the right side of the car if sitting in the drivers seat. It's clonking noise like something banging against something else. It's always in time with road speed and doesn't change with gears or revs or with clutch engaged or disengaged. This leads me to suspect it's not transmition but something suspension, driveshaft related. Done a few more miles and it seems to come and go but it is quite loud. I've had a look an can't see anything that jumps out at me as wrong and it drives, stops and turns as it should. I've killed a CV joint on cars in the past but it doesn't sound anything like that. Far too deep and not as metalic as that sounded.

 

Anyone got any thoughts? I had a search but nothing really jumped out at me as sounding similar. I'm supposed to be driving the wife and 2 friends to a wedding tomorrow lunchtime so I am hoping to get to the local VW specialists first thing and see if they can quickly whip i up on the ramps and see if they can spot anything. I was just hoping someone on here might be able to give me somepointers or a heads up in advance in case it's something common.

 

Many thanks,

 

nick

[horney 0]

Wooo Hooo all sorted. Took it to the local VW specialists and it turns out that the balance weight had come loose on the drivers side driveshaft and was banging about. 5 Mins with the angle grinder and he had it off. Result.

 

He reckoned I could get by without it but if it started being noisey then a replacement would be required. Can't fault the fella as he wouldn't take any money and just asked that I recommend him to other local dubbers which I shall certainly do.

 

Nick

[boost monkey 0]

Glad you got it sorted mate. I'd classify driveshafts as transmission and not suspension though.

 

Nice to see there are still some VW garages who are happy to help at their own loss!

[Album56 0]

Had the same happen on mine a few years ago, got a new driveshaft fitted tho because its actually a vibration damper that helps preserve your differential bearings etc from an early demise.

Mick

[horney 0]

I think I'll see if I can pick up a used driveshaf then.

 

Cheers guys.

 

Nick

[n3p 3]

horney, did you manage to get this sorted in the end? I think I may have the same problem as you (see pic attached). However, can't seem to find any driveshafts for sale! Sorry to sound spanish, but would a bodge suffice until changed? (ie a jubilee clip on either side)?

 

Cheers,

 

Nick

[Album56 0]

As a tempy measure I used an exaust clamp to keep it away from the wheel end where it was banging around but be very careful that the ends of the clamp do not foul anything allowing for suspension movement etc. I drove for a couple of weeks like that until a new driveshaft was fitted without problem.

Mick

[n3p 3]

Thanks for that Album :) Think i've finally managed to source a new shaft too! huzzah!