Snap, Crackle and Pop!

OK, so there is a noise coming from her under gusset when driving, not really a surprise with a Landy. However, seems to be getting worse and wasn't there before.

Quick run down, check underneath, greased propshafts, UJ's, check all nuts and bolts, suspension, track rod, pan hard rod, drag link, steering damper so on so on.

It's only when turning right hard, not fast, or sometimes only even a half turn. Thought it might just be the cab moving, but directly under my feet, get a real clunk and snapping sounding. Has to be something with the steering, just can't see anything obvious. Any ideas?

Then again, the bushes are a tad worn here and there, mainly on the drag link, could this be the cause?

Thanks in advance!

You need to remind us what vehicle are we talking about here?

Col

Oh yeh, good point! Thought it was on my bio.
J plate 1992 defender 90.

Sorry, your avatar pic should have given it away. Are your steering stops adjusted properly? If it is a snapping sound, I'd say one of the ball joints is knackered, or loose and snaps out of position under certain steering positions and road surfaces etc. Might look all right when parked. Get the wife or friend to operate the steering whilst it's Jacked up with you using a big screwdriver or pry bar to check for play during operation.

Col

Colthebrummie said:

Sorry, your avatar pic should have given it away. Are your steering stops adjusted properly? If it is a snapping sound, I'd say one of the ball joints is knackered, or loose and snaps out of position under certain steering positions and road surfaces etc. Might look all right when parked. Get the wife or friend to operate the steering whilst it's Jacked up with you using a big screwdriver or pry bar to check for play during operation.

Col

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Thanks Col, all seem fine, but good advice, will lift her up later and have a play. It's not unbearable, just more noticeable each time. Many thanks.

I have another issue on a separate thread if you're interested also!! ta much

CV joint if knocking sound only on hard lock

Sounds like a cv to me. Jack it up and spin the wheel with it on right hand lock. Have the swivels been kept greased/oiled? Also rember you need a wheel jacked to check ujs properly

ChrisBduck said:

Sounds like a cv to me. Jack it up and spin the wheel with it on right hand lock. Have the swivels been kept greased/oiled? Also rember you need a wheel jacked to check ujs properly

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Never greases the swivels, as they were recently replaced front swivels as it was an MOT advisory, got the later one shot without the drain and level plug. I will top up though just in case, but has only done under 3000miles since replacing. I'll do that tomorrow as I have some one shot from bearmach.

- tangent question, if I ever wanted to drain these housings, is it even possible with these one shot styles? I guess removing the lower swivel pin, taking it for a drive first to warm up?

Anyway, will try that, then I'm replacing the bushes on steering kit to a Gwyn Lewis stainless steel kit. As they are ok, but a bit worn.

Failing that I guess the CV could be knackered and will need replacing, perhaps it's worn. Only seems to be the right hand side and not even on full lock, sometimes just a gentle right turn. Get a lot of vibration from the clunking directly under my feet when it happens. Thanks all. Back on nights so will get my ass and brain into gear and sort it asap. Appreciate the info.

The cv joint would make a regular repeated noise at least once per turn of the right wheel if it was failing. What you say about the swivels doesn't make great sense. The drain and fill plug holes are in the large cast iron housing that turns around the ball, and you wouldn't have changed those. If you've had the swivel bearings changed what type was the top one, a bush or a taper roller? The bush type don't get lubricated anyway and the roller bearings get lubricated by whats in the ball and housing, whether it's oil or the molybdenum (one shot) grease.

If it's a once per corner noise I'd be inspecting all of the bushes and rod ends around the front and changing all that had any sign of play anyway