looking for help identifying clunk

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MGT

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It's more a combination of small rattle and occasional CLUNK coming from the centre about where VCU is to front diff.
Got underneath and nothing seems to be loose BUT there is slight rotation available (by hand) on the front section of the prop shaft. I do not know whether that is normal or not (I suspect not) nor whether it could be responsible for the clunk.
The clunk feels as if it is something slipping after torque has been applied, but that may be reading too much ninto it.
It doesn't happen regularly, and it doesn't happen on full lock left and right. It does, however, seem to happen when I turn the wheel very slightly to the right.
It's a reasonably new VCU unit and the carriers were replaced a while back. I also think the rear diff mounting bushes were replantingced at some stage - there doesn't; tappear to be any movement there.
Does it ring any bells for anyone?
 
MGT said:
It's more a combination of small rattle and occasional CLUNK coming from the centre about where VCU is to front diff.
Got underneath and nothing seems to be loose BUT there is slight rotation available (by hand) on the front section of the prop shaft. I do not know whether that is normal or not (I suspect not) nor whether it could be responsible for the clunk.
The clunk feels as if it is something slipping after torque has been applied, but that may be reading too much ninto it.
It doesn't happen regularly, and it doesn't happen on full lock left and right. It does, however, seem to happen when I turn the wheel very slightly to the right.
It's a reasonably new VCU unit and the carriers were replaced a while back. I also think the rear diff mounting bushes were replantingced at some stage - there doesn't; tappear to be any movement there.
Does it ring any bells for anyone?
Click to expand...
A bit of rotational movement on the front prop is not a problem from the IRD's perspective, there are a number of gears in there for there to be allowable slack.

I'd be a bit concerned about the other end of the prop though. The UJ connecting the prop to the VCU, I wouldn't have thought there should be movement there and you shouldn't be able to turn the VCU by grabbing the prop and turning it - although I doubt its the VCU if it does stop after a bit.

Maybe others can give more advice on that.
 
GrumpyGel said:
A bit of rotational movement on the front prop is not a problem from the IRD's perspective, there are a number of gears in there for there to be allowable slack.

I'd be a bit concerned about the other end of the prop though. The UJ connecting the prop to the VCU, I wouldn't have thought there should be movement there and you shouldn't be able to turn the VCU by grabbing the prop and turning it - although I doubt its the VCU if it does stop after a bit.

Maybe others can give more advice on that.
Click to expand...


Thanks. I can't shift the VCU and the UJs seem to be solid. The rotation of the prop at the front is only very minimal too. I wondered if there was something in there at the front in the bit which attaches to the IRD. I don't think the VCU is locked solid. It would heat after a run, wouldn't it? I seem to remember the hard left reverse turn to check that, so I will get on that just to be sure. I don't reckon it's either of the drive shafts. They are solid with the wheels on the ground and if I remember when the last one gave out there was movement with the wheel on the floor. I wonder if it could be something in the suspension.
Oh, and it the prop doesn't rotate at the other end. Thanks.
 
Check forward and backward play of the prop shaft at the vcu

The horseshoe washer can fall out leaving a nasty clunk when moving off. Easily remedied though with a new lock washer and horseshoe.
 
MGT said:
Thanks. I can't shift the VCU and the UJs seem to be solid. The rotation of the prop at the front is only very minimal too. I wondered if there was something in there at the front in the bit which attaches to the IRD. I don't think the VCU is locked solid. It would heat after a run, wouldn't it? I seem to remember the hard left reverse turn to check that, so I will get on that just to be sure. I don't reckon it's either of the drive shafts. They are solid with the wheels on the ground and if I remember when the last one gave out there was movement with the wheel on the floor. I wonder if it could be something in the suspension.
Oh, and it the prop doesn't rotate at the other end. Thanks.
Click to expand...
As a matter of course you should do a one wheel up test just to test your VCU every now and then, maybe every year. Info on how to do that here...

https://www.landyzone.co.uk/land-rover/tests-new-freelander-1-owners-should-do-on-their-car.312863/

Most people test with 5kg weight and 1.2m bar, so that is the test with most input on timings, you're looking for a time under a minute.

There is a CV joint under the rubber gaiter on the front prop which allows the engine/gearbox/IRD 'lump' to move (relative to the static VCU).

My thinking is that if the prop is turning at one end, it must also turn at the other.
 
As Andy says, worth checking the horseshoe washers are present. One of mine came out and there was an occasional clunk as the prop moved on the splines when talking up load. It did mean that separating the prop from the VCU was nice and easy when I had to replace the carriers a while ago
 
GrumpyGel said:
As a matter of course you should do a one wheel up test just to test your VCU every now and then, maybe every year. Info on how to do that here...

https://www.landyzone.co.uk/land-rover/tests-new-freelander-1-owners-should-do-on-their-car.312863/

Most people test with 5kg weight and 1.2m bar, so that is the test with most input on timings, you're looking for a time under a minute.

There is a CV joint under the rubber gaiter on the front prop which allows the engine/gearbox/IRD 'lump' to move (relative to the static VCU).

My thinking is that if the prop is turning at one end, it must also turn at the other.
Click to expand...

Thanks, I remember reading about the weight test ages ago. I did the hard lock reverse and it's smooth with no resistance, so I think that rules our a problem with the VCU itself. Thanks for posting the link, and for the advice. I will get back under and look for that gaiter.
 
kernowsvenski said:
As Andy says, worth checking the horseshoe washers are present. One of mine came out and there was an occasional clunk as the prop moved on the splines when talking up load. It did mean that separating the prop from the VCU was nice and easy when I had to replace the carriers a while ago
Click to expand...

Thanks. Yers, it clunks when taking up load, or seems to. Mind, there is also an occasional bit of clatter down there coming from somewhere. Otherwise it runs perfectly smooth.
 
How is the engine lower tie bar large bush? If the large bush has gone soft, then the rocking of the power unit under initial torque can cause the propshaft front CV to make a noise as it moves about.
 
Nodge68 said:
How is the engine lower tie bar large bush? If the large bush has gone soft, then the rocking of the power unit under initial torque can cause the propshaft front CV to make a noise as it moves about.
Click to expand...

Don't know, haven't looked. Thanks for that, I will check in a minute.
 
Ok, think I may have found culprit.
To my shame I do not know what this is called. Next to the right wheel. It is intact on the other side, with the boot intact too. When I found it it seemed to be half in half out. I think as I was turning wheel it was disengaging then re-engaging. Hell of a noise for a small component though. Please tell me what it is, and by all means mock me while doing so.
freelander thing.jpg
 
MGT said:
Ok, think I may have found culprit.
To my shame I do not know what this is called. Next to the right wheel. It is intact on the other side, with the boot intact too. When I found it it seemed to be half in half out. I think as I was turning wheel it was disengaging then re-engaging. Hell of a noise for a small component though. Please tell me what it is, and by all means mock me while doing so.View attachment 247256
Click to expand...

Giggle pin ... ;)

And it's poohed ...
 
I think maybe it is only the rubber boot that keeps it in place. It snaps in easily enough and seems to be kept there by pressure from the arm to which it is attached (the other arm I mean). Without the boot, though, it seems to have been twisting out.
 
that is the anti roll bar link, it is a well known failure point easy to replace but use a quality make or genuine
 
MGT said:
I think maybe it is only the rubber boot that keeps it in place. It snaps in easily enough and seems to be kept there by pressure from the arm to which it is attached (the other arm I mean). Without the boot, though, it seems to have been twisting out.
Click to expand...

It's a roll link joint that isn't joining in very well ...

A grown-up will be along soon to put me to bed and help you properly ...
 
Never seen one part like that, but they knock on rough road surfaces when worn.
Still think you should check the vcu clunk as above. Looks like the vehicle is lacking in maintenance so check everything!!
 
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