Wedge 2.8i Noisy??

[John042]

Don't know if I'm being picky or expecting too much? "Wesley" my 2.8i is on the road, please with the achievement in getting him on the road after 15 years+ but concerned about a rotating type noise, I think is coming from the passenger front side. Difficult to pinpoint but I changed the N/S front wheel bearing incase. However it didn't make any difference. Diagnoising is ongoing but it seems to be near the gearbox location. Difficult, as you're sat virtually on top of the transmission. The gearbox is behaving impeccably in fact one of the best I've driven. The diff' was a consideration but acceleration, over run does seem to make much difference. The consideration is now maybe a rear wheel bearing? However it seems too far forward for that? Perhaps I am being too fussy as with a fibre body all sorts of noises can be transmitted through the body, tyres etc.Any thoughts please? Before I resort to Wynns Aditives/sawdust etc.Cheers J C.

[Henry Harris]

Try the following to diagnose further:

• Clutch in and out
• Neutral or in gear
• Stationary as well as rolling.

[Yatesy350i]

Input shaft bearing? Mine makes a right racket.

[John042]

Thanks Henry. Yep, checks ongoing. Knocked into netural whilst rolling, same noise,stationary, no noise, gear selection, no difference. Seems to be speed related, mind you the faster you go the exhaust note takes over. Cheers J C.

[Henry Harris]

I had an issue with the hub nut being pinned. There were too many and the nut was just spinning. You may care to check that. I hope that I have the terminology correct.

[John042]

Yes another consideration Karl but it was changed during rebuild but they usually make different noises on clutch operation? J C.

[Wedg1e]

Unlikely to be the diff bearings but could be the prop or half-shaft UJs. The prop probably gets greased the least as it's harder to get at. Try lubing them all (especially if the car's been sat for a while, if it quietens then you're in the right area (and it's a cheap try).

[Englishman]

I had an issue with one brake pad just touching a disc - sticking caliper. Does the sound vary with road speed?

[mrzigazaga]

Hi John...Didn't Marcus have a rotational noise on his 280i?...Is it a metal on metal noise or a rumbling....A wheel bearing would groan..Don't forget the inner wheel bearing...They are a RPITA as the hub has to come off and they have to be pressed out....And in again...

Check the N/S hub nut, Let us know if its pinned...It should be on that side...If you can find a 38mm...(Or is it 40) socket and a 3ft torque bar and check the torque...Around 180-190ftlb on a used nut..

If you pull away gentle is there a clunk which is similar to the effect you get when you put an automatic car in gear..Or one when you come to a stop?...This would be UJ's or hub nut.

Quite often than not sounds do get transferred to the front from the rear...Jack up front and rear and check for play...In and out and up and down.

I once had a vibration going through the whole car when i came to a stop...Felt like the propeller was coming lose...Then i realised i was driving a car...Anyhow it turned out to be a small stone trapped between my exhaust downpipes and chassis....

Hope you sort it mate...


Cheers


Ziga

[marcus1875]

Yup. I have exactly the same. It doesnt come on immediately though, takes about 10 miles before it starts, metal on metal, rotational and matches speed. Brakes on, it stops, and doesnt always return.
I've stripped and cleaned or replaced everything other than the prop and diff.
I've put up with it for maybe just over a year. In that time its had two mots and its never been mentioned, so i just drive it now.
For the last 6 months tho its been getting less noticeable and less frequent. I swear it is a rear caliper, new pads and cleaned up the calipers. Handbrake too. The dirt that came off them was unbelievable.
So that would be my first port if call.
Marcus

[John042]

Thanks all for the constructive thoughts. I did think of the rear brakes and tried various setting on the hand brake. I've more or less discounted the brakes front and rear being overhauled on the build plus the noise doesn't vary with braking. Certainly the rear hubs/nuts will deserve attention. U/J were greased and appeared fine. Attention will also be paid to the tyres having been static for some time. Again on the drive home today I feel the noise is located near the gearbox although doesn't vary in neutral. I'm going to try an additive into the G/Box just to see if it makes any difference. Thanks again for your suggestions and help. More beer for the troops. Cheers John C.

[marcus1875]

How about trying the white spirit trick on the box?
I done it with jumbobeef to his wedge, he seemed to feel a difference.
Marcus

[RCK974X]

John,

Noises can be extremely difficult to pinpoint where they come from .....

My list (all just 'probably' - you can never tell for sure....)

Speed related -

If it's low frequency (like a rumble), think wheel bearing - rears can get quite loud and can feel like the whole car is involved.

If it's medium frequency, think diff pinion bearing, or gbox output brg (propshaft U/J?). These turn about 3 times the wheel speed.

If it's high pitched (whine or squeal) think brakes, or something metal to metal.

If it happens when stationary -

Stops when clutch pressed, then think gbox input or layshaft bearings (they turn with engine even in neutral, except when clutch pressed).
Only when clutch pressed then it's the spigot bearing

After that it's something engine.

After that, it's something weird/odd (like say handbrake cable rubbing on propshaft, or noisy heater motor !)

I've had rear wheel bearing go, and many UJs in different cars, and spigot brg.

4 speed gearbox in wedge (type 5) is a real beaut, it's probably the best, smoothest gearchange Ford (Europe) ever made. It can be noisy in lower gears when it gets worn, but 4th should be quiet unless it's really knackered... 5 speeder (type 9) is also very good, just not quite as slick as the 4 speed.

as always, try to collect as many symptoms as you can, and go looking underneath...

[John042]

Thanks Andy and others for the detailed replies.I've had U/J's go before and usually it creates severe vibration. Mine is not even vibration or loud metalic noise just a seemingly low frequency rotational whine. Similar to tyre noise. It's a difficult one, but a consideration is to drive until it gets really bad? Thanks again all. John C.

[Henry Harris]

My money is on the hub nut. Happened to me with exactly the same noise.

Having just got into mine after a layshaft replacement in the gearbox, it was nerve racking to distinguish all the noises again. This together with lack of 97 petrol and I can sense the pinking. I am very good at knowing when there is an unusual noise and I get them fixed before it becomes a disaster.

I urge you to keep looking and don't wait.

[Number 7]

Is it possible that the large nut on behind the forward end of the propshaft has come loose? Hope I'm not stating the obvious, but there is a specific procedure for adjusting the front wheels bearings to avoid over tightening them.

[John042]

Thanks again for the replies. You're right number7 there is a procedure for tightening the front wheel bearings as they are tapered units. The car at the moment is on axle stands having the drive train examined for any problems, so far none. However, on advice we've swapped the wheels/tyres around in case of flat spots etc to see if the noise becomes apparent else where. The gearbox has also had an additive added. Time will tell if we can isolate the problem. Cheers J C.

[RCK974X]

Could easily be the tyres too - also can be noisier if tracking isn't quite right.....

Swapping over can help, but remember many manufacturers recommend keeping them on same side
I guess that's for best wear ? doesn't seem to be any other obvious reason.
(some have an obvious one-way tread pattern, many don't)

But check all the mechanicals first, unless you can borrow another set of wheels and tyres.

[John042]

Thanks Andy.Tracking did receive attention after the ball joints were replaced to cure the wheel camber. Moving the tyres around is really an excersise to see if the noise becomes more noticable on one side or the other. I keep cosidering that the noise is coming from forward of the rear axle around the bell housing N/S. Although coasting in netural has no effect. A fresh pair of ears might help.J C

[RCK974X]

I'll just say - yeah, noises can be a real bugger to trace - even wind noise is possible.
But something mechanical is more likely.