Strange "Clink" noise on taking up drive, any ideas guys???

[Wedgester]

Hi wedgepeeps, your help please!!

In the past 6 months or so my 350SE has developed a strange metallic “Clink” sound when feeding the clutch out and taking up drive. This is not evident pulling away from a stand still but usually after driving for a while and mainly when de-clutching in readiness for braking but then feeding the clutch back out to take up drive again. It does not happen all of the time and is most likely to occur if hitting the loud pedal enthusiastically; It is not overly intrusive just mildly irritating and I am just curious if anyone can shed any light as to the possible cause of the sound. The best I can liken it to is the sound produced if two metal bolts being struck together.

I have heavy duty “Race Spec” CV joints with grease nipples (oooh err) throughout the car and these have been on for about 10k miles now, regularly greased and I am told by my local TVR specialist that they appear in fine condition with no play or wear immediately evident.

I know that on Wedges the gearboxes and exhaust sit in very close proximity to one another and that they can sometimes impact upon each other from the torsional twisting effect of the V8 but I have now had my exhaust and gearbox clearances widened to negate this and have also just had the rubber gearbox mounts renewed in case they were getting a little soft but I still get the “Clink” from time to time. I also have a heavy duty competition spec clutch with about 30k miles on it, is it likely to be anything directly related to the clutch, has anyone else experienced this and does anyone have any other ideas as to the likely cause?

The benefits of your infinite wisdom will be greatly appreciated,

Regards,

Keith

[mrzigazaga]

Hi Mate..I have exactly the same but mine has got progressively worst but cannot find out what is doing it..It now clunks into gear and also does it in reverse..It did stop for a while as i found two bolts missing from my diff plate and had them replaced but do think its a clutch issue but cant find out what...My gearbox mount is a little loose but not sure if that would do it..Its become a bit of a mystery..If you sus it i would love to know..Cheers..Zig

[D1 MAD]

To eliminate a simple thing first, try greasing the splines on the prop shaft sliding joint, it's amazing how this can echo up if it gets a bit dry.

[jeff m]

I would get that up on a lift, block the wheels (really well) and take a look. Initially reving the engine then putting a slight load on the cltch. (very carefully).
Sounds are funny.... from inside the car it may sound like it's behind you, but it could be from under the bonnet.

You may have to get a little dirty, have a second look at the UJs too.

[TVRleigh_BBWR]

Could be the gearbox remote bushes, try pushing down on the gear leaver if it gets worse, then that's your problem.

[GV]

I had a "Clunk" sound coming from the gearbox region when taking up drive. As part of my winter's work I've the changed exhaust, gearbox & engine mounts as well as changing the remote bushes on the gear selector housing. I've also repaired a large hole in the chassis located on a body mounting point - meaning that the "Clunk" whatever it was should have gone - I also severely greased up the propshaft too. If the "Clunk" has gone - it had to be one of these - if not, I'm selling.....!!!

[mrzigazaga]

Hi Peeps..Well i had that clunk again but this time it was quite severe and now the car is undrivable..I nipped out earlier and it was ok but on return.."Clunk" and now the car shakes violently down the left hand side only, It is ok when coasting but on even the lowest amount of throttle it shakes real bad..Also the gear lever is jumping up and down when this happens and there is a whining rotating metal sound....Would the prop do that or is it more likely to be the gearbox mounts or mount..Cheers..A sad ziga..

[TVRleigh_BBWR]

mrzigazaga said:

Hi Peeps..Well i had that clunk again but this time it was quite severe and now the car is undrivable..I nipped out earlier and it was ok but on return.."Clunk" and now the car shakes violently down the left hand side only, It is ok when coasting but on even the lowest amount of throttle it shakes real bad..Also the gear lever is jumping up and down when this happens and there is a whining rotating metal sound....Would the prop do that or is it more likely to be the gearbox mounts or mount..Cheers..A sad ziga..

Best get it in the air, should now be a lot easier to spot the problem, sounds like the geear box or linkage and dropped and hitting the propshaft.

[tempus]

It sounds like the mountings at the back of the gearbox have done a runner and the back end of the gearbox and the prop. are doing the rounds. Sorry Keith,your noise does sound like it may be the sliding joint on the prop.

Edited by tempus on Monday 14th March 15:08