38 replies to this topic

[Potatoes]

Hello all 

 

I've come across a few niggles on my 50 mile solo-hoon yesterday afternoon and I'm hoping to borrow some expertise to steer me in the right direction.

 

So, I've got a knocking noise behind the driver seat when on bumpy surfaces and under braking on occasion. In addition, when I hit a bump (e.g. cateye) the front driverside will suck it up whereas the rear driverside judders, as if it hit 3-4 bumps in quick succession. My immediate thinking is the engine mounts which were last changed in 2008, 5,000 miles ago but my bigger concern is the Sachs suspension may need rebuilding... or another suspension related issue.

 

I know this thread has been done to death but keen to get your views before I take it to a specialist 

 

Of course, if anyone local offers to have a look for me in I'd happily pop over to see you and take you for a spin so you can hear it.

 

In advance, many thank yous.

Edited by Potatoes, 07 December 2014 - 09:17 AM.

[turboluca]

Engine mounts will sound like a coffee grinder, test it by putting it in first gear an give it some beans !!! More likely your suspension failing .

[Potatoes]

Thanks mate, that was my concern...

[Frosty34]

Does sound like a shock problem to me! Try bouncing the corner with the issue, it should settle quickly and not continue to bounce! Compare it to the other sides! I have a similar problem and on the lookout for new shocks!

[fezzasus]

Sachs are getting pretty long in the tooth by now.

 

Rears do the most work, check that they're not leaking - you'll see oily dirt at the base if they are.

[jonnyboy]

You might see oil pissed out all over the wishbones as well. If you nail it in 1st and it goes BANG as you go into second thats mounts.

 

Drop it in at ours if you are struggling with anything we are starting doing a bit of servicing/repairs anyway.

[mbes2]

Does sound like a shock problem to me! Try bouncing the corner with the issue, it should settle quickly and not continue to bounce! Compare it to the other sides! I have a similar problem and on the lookout for new shocks!

My mot guy once did that car was solid due to the track setup. Watch you don't crack the clam. Check ball joints, anything moving around knocking in engine bay.. my boot release cable once did this.. cable tie resolved

Edited by mbes2, 07 December 2014 - 10:11 AM.

[Mangham54]

I would normally offer to pop through and I could have a look, but on way to Nottingham for our annual family gathering. Sachs are likely - does it sound like two snooker balls knocking together? A quick way to check is to jack the rear of the car up, swap the two shockers over and see if the sound swaps sides. If not then your problem lies elsewhere. Ball joints are also possible, as is the rear track control arm joints. Both are relatively easy for a garage to replace. However... Take Jon up on his offer, he knows his way around a VX. I may turn up (depending on when) as I am overdue a cuppa and chat with Jon.

[Potatoes]

Thanks guys,

 

Jon, I'll definitely take you up on the offer, I was going to PM you as well as post this but you got to me first!

 

I've done the suspension test and the driverside rear is very bouncy so I think we've found (potentially part of) the issue. Pretty much what I thought it would be but was in denial, hoping they'd last me a year or so... I'm not likely to be able to afford a full repair until the New Year but will pop around to you Jon next Saturday if you're free? We can at least do the diagnostics and then I'll book it in for a repair in the NY.

 

Thanks for the advice folks and helping this newbie out!

[Phear]

You should be able to pick up a set of standard NA billies for £100 or less. Swapping them is childs play and will see you through till you can afford something better.

 

Phil

[jonnyboy]

Yeah should be in just drop me a line Friday

[Potatoes]

Thanks Jon, will do

[slindborg]

Engine mounts will sound like a coffee grinder, test it by putting it in first gear an give it some beans !!! More likely your suspension failing .

The coffee grinder will be faulty if it sounds like the engine mounts

[TubbyNorman]

Fezz looked at my shock absorbers down at Le Mans this year, confirmed one was leaking, in the end I replaced the lot and gave the old ones to a poor VX owner in Wales. NB are there any rich VX owners or are they bankrupting all of us, maybe we can get EU money to keep them going seeing as how we are doing a public service and keeping the cars alive for our grandchildren.  

 

I don't seem to be able to find an Emoticon for ''hopeful''

[2-20]

It can also be a wishbone bush.

Check your lower wishbone front bushes

[909]

Hello all 

 

I've come across a few niggles on my 50 mile solo-hoon yesterday afternoon and I'm hoping to borrow some expertise to steer me in the right direction.

 

So, I've got a knocking noise behind the driver seat when on bumpy surfaces and under braking on occasion. In addition, when I hit a bump (e.g. cateye) the front driverside will suck it up whereas the rear driverside judders, as if it hit 3-4 bumps in quick succession. My immediate thinking is the engine mounts which were last changed in 2008, 5,000 miles ago but my bigger concern is the Sachs suspension may need rebuilding... or another suspension related issue.

 

I know this thread has been done to death but keen to get your views before I take it to a specialist 

 

Of course, if anyone local offers to have a look for me in I'd happily pop over to see you and take you for a spin so you can hear it.

 

In advance, many thank yous.

 

I have had a similar knocking noise occur.

 

I traced it to loose rear suspension inner wishbone pivot bolts, one both sides.

[Mangham54]

A potential knocking at the rear can also be the oil cooler banging against the subframe, tends to be worse when the car is up to temperature as the pipework softens with heat. Easily solved by strapping it in place with fabric tape. People always suggest cable-ties, but these are likely to abrade the rubber

[Potatoes]

Thanks mate, I'm going to have a look at that too... Hoping to resolve all niggles ahead of the National and Spa!

 

 

[Tibbles Stryker]

Good work, your mega keen, what did you buy in the end?

[Potatoes]

Yeah, apparently too keen according to JG! I got an LY VX NA with a couple of mods and a couple of niggles! I've sorted the easy fixes and want to get the rest fixed ahead of the National in May. Blown away by the VX though, what a car!