Discussion
After picking up the car, every now and again there was a thud coming from the rear. Reading around it appeared common for the top mount bushes to and cause this thud - I assumed this was the problem and would look at it when I can get the car on hydraulic ramps at my fathers...
Never made it two my fathers.
Driving down my street.. I have managed to hit a pothole (I have never hit this before) on the front and rear left. As soon as the rear went over I knew I had damaged something. I am now getting a knocking/thudding noise every few seconds which sounds aweful - the car runs but I dare not get above 20MPH.
The banging appeared to come from the rear when I let off the accelerator or change gear. If I change from third down to second for example I get.. bang bang bang bang bang. I was assuming the worst and feared the problem was with the Diff as it sounded like it was slipping.
Got the car jacked up (rear wheels off the ground). Turning the wheels by hand and I can't hear any knocks or bangs. If it was Diff I would expect a bang on every rotation.
Started her up, put it in first gear and let clutch out - wheels spinning at steady speed.. still I hear nothing at all, no bangs coming from the diff. I would assume if the Diff goes pop its just going to go? there isnt going to be a maybe about it?
Then looking further, the drive shaft to the right had a little play, not making any funny noises. The left one however when I moved to check the play, as I moved it back and forth there is a bang just like when driving except quieter (which should make sense as it's not under load).
Going into a garage tomorrow to try and confirm the problem - just hoping its not Diff related.
The banging also seems to occur on occasions when just free rolling (after lifting off the accelerator and sticking it in neutral). We believe it is coming from the left hand side which would also make sense as this is where it hit.
So after initially thinking Diff I now believe Drive Shaft/CV joints could be the problem. Any thoughts?
Rob
Never made it two my fathers.
Driving down my street.. I have managed to hit a pothole (I have never hit this before) on the front and rear left. As soon as the rear went over I knew I had damaged something. I am now getting a knocking/thudding noise every few seconds which sounds aweful - the car runs but I dare not get above 20MPH.
The banging appeared to come from the rear when I let off the accelerator or change gear. If I change from third down to second for example I get.. bang bang bang bang bang. I was assuming the worst and feared the problem was with the Diff as it sounded like it was slipping.
Got the car jacked up (rear wheels off the ground). Turning the wheels by hand and I can't hear any knocks or bangs. If it was Diff I would expect a bang on every rotation.
Started her up, put it in first gear and let clutch out - wheels spinning at steady speed.. still I hear nothing at all, no bangs coming from the diff. I would assume if the Diff goes pop its just going to go? there isnt going to be a maybe about it?
Then looking further, the drive shaft to the right had a little play, not making any funny noises. The left one however when I moved to check the play, as I moved it back and forth there is a bang just like when driving except quieter (which should make sense as it's not under load).
Going into a garage tomorrow to try and confirm the problem - just hoping its not Diff related.
The banging also seems to occur on occasions when just free rolling (after lifting off the accelerator and sticking it in neutral). We believe it is coming from the left hand side which would also make sense as this is where it hit.
So after initially thinking Diff I now believe Drive Shaft/CV joints could be the problem. Any thoughts?
Rob
Edited by Spawn on Monday 17th March 18:38
I would be surprised if a jolt from a pot-hole would damage the diff directly. I assume that you've had a good look round the chassis to ensure that nothing major came a stray? That definetly would be a worse case scenario, and surely less likely than a cv joint, but after seeing that recent thread by kojak (http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&t=506878), the number of pot holes round where I live has got me concerned.
Hey Paul
There was already a knocking which I assumed was the bush/rubbers (which I now know are actually fine) and intended to replace, Im now thinking it was the start or part of what I've broken which I'll explain below.
Took the car into the garage thismorning, got a call asking me to come down. Car was up on the ramps and what's happened is the top mount bracket that holds the diff has broken. The diff now moves from side to side which creates the banging noise, and the drive shaft is just lightly rubbing the sub frame. THANK GOD ITS NOT THE DIFF THAT BROKE.
This may be quite a blessing, as I was having to cancel my insurance today (within 14 days of purchase) and re-insure in a weeks time when my 4 years no claims comes around which will save me £300. So the car would be off the road anyway.
Plus, there was a knocking noise already, which now thinking about it could well be that the bracked/bolt was slightly loose which caused a slight knock from time to time and this pothole was simply to much for the bracket - so it was something that would have had to have been done anyway. So quite glad it's happened when its happened and right outside my house.
Now.. I need a new bracket. Has anyone had the same problem and had to purchase the top mount diff bracket?
My father has sourced a bracket and get get one at £22 (brilliant news considering I initially thought the Diff itself had gone) but he needs to know what type of diff is in the car. Apparently there should be some markings on the diff but the garage could not see any. Does anyone have any information on this?
Rob
There was already a knocking which I assumed was the bush/rubbers (which I now know are actually fine) and intended to replace, Im now thinking it was the start or part of what I've broken which I'll explain below.
Took the car into the garage thismorning, got a call asking me to come down. Car was up on the ramps and what's happened is the top mount bracket that holds the diff has broken. The diff now moves from side to side which creates the banging noise, and the drive shaft is just lightly rubbing the sub frame. THANK GOD ITS NOT THE DIFF THAT BROKE.
This may be quite a blessing, as I was having to cancel my insurance today (within 14 days of purchase) and re-insure in a weeks time when my 4 years no claims comes around which will save me £300. So the car would be off the road anyway.
Plus, there was a knocking noise already, which now thinking about it could well be that the bracked/bolt was slightly loose which caused a slight knock from time to time and this pothole was simply to much for the bracket - so it was something that would have had to have been done anyway. So quite glad it's happened when its happened and right outside my house.
Now.. I need a new bracket. Has anyone had the same problem and had to purchase the top mount diff bracket?
My father has sourced a bracket and get get one at £22 (brilliant news considering I initially thought the Diff itself had gone) but he needs to know what type of diff is in the car. Apparently there should be some markings on the diff but the garage could not see any. Does anyone have any information on this?
Rob
I'm glad its nothing serious mate, and its good that things should work in well with your insurance.
As I understand it, there are only two different types of diff fitted to cerberas- a GKN non-lsd diff, and a BTR Hydratrak LSD diff. Since you have a 4.2 cerb, the standard fitment would be the GKN, but he BTR was an optional extra (it was standard on all 4.5's). You could tell easily which one you've got, as the BTR has long cooling fins along its base. If there's any doubt, then I guess you could just lift the rear wheels off the ground, and if the two rear wheels turn the same direction simultaneously then you have an lsd.
Hope that helps!
As I understand it, there are only two different types of diff fitted to cerberas- a GKN non-lsd diff, and a BTR Hydratrak LSD diff. Since you have a 4.2 cerb, the standard fitment would be the GKN, but he BTR was an optional extra (it was standard on all 4.5's). You could tell easily which one you've got, as the BTR has long cooling fins along its base. If there's any doubt, then I guess you could just lift the rear wheels off the ground, and if the two rear wheels turn the same direction simultaneously then you have an lsd.
Hope that helps!
Here's some pics of my spare hydratrak diff'
http://tvrcerbera.co.uk/Gallery/thumbnails.php?alb...
Tim
http://tvrcerbera.co.uk/Gallery/thumbnails.php?alb...
Tim
Edited by TT Tim on Tuesday 18th March 20:12
brogenville said:
as the BTR has long cooling fins along its base.
I think it did have as I recall. Do we have any pictures of this?I can always take a pic of mine to when I get a chance.
brogenville said:
If there's any doubt, then I guess you could just lift the rear wheels off the ground, and if the two rear wheels turn the same direction simultaneously then you have an lsd.
Will the not do this anyway? (sorry if Im being really dumb 
I'm learning though)Spawn said:
brogenville said:
as the BTR has long cooling fins along its base.
I think it did have as I recall. Do we have any pictures of this?I can always take a pic of mine to when I get a chance.
brogenville said:
If there's any doubt, then I guess you could just lift the rear wheels off the ground, and if the two rear wheels turn the same direction simultaneously then you have an lsd.
Will the not do this anyway? (sorry if Im being really dumb I'm learning though)
It's either a Hydratrak or a GKN.
They look VERY different.
Tim
Edited by TT Tim on Tuesday 18th March 21:01
TT Tim said:
Spawn said:
brogenville said:
as the BTR has long cooling fins along its base.
I think it did have as I recall. Do we have any pictures of this?I can always take a pic of mine to when I get a chance.
brogenville said:
If there's any doubt, then I guess you could just lift the rear wheels off the ground, and if the two rear wheels turn the same direction simultaneously then you have an lsd.
Will the not do this anyway? (sorry if Im being really dumb I'm learning though)It's either a Hydratrak or a GKN.
They look VERY different.
Tim
Edited by TT Tim on Tuesday 18th March 21:01
I'll see if I can find a pick of the GKN and go take a look
thanks for the help!TT Tim said:
PMSL!
It either looks like the one in the pic in which case it's a Hydratrack, if it doesn't then its a GKN.
You don't need a pic of a GKN.
Tim
LOL buggar off It either looks like the one in the pic in which case it's a Hydratrack, if it doesn't then its a GKN.
You don't need a pic of a GKN.
Tim
Edited by TT Tim on Tuesday 18th March 22:04
better be safe than sorry. It could be made of cheese and I would still need to be shown what Im looking at 
Spawn said:
TT Tim said:
PMSL!
It either looks like the one in the pic in which case it's a Hydratrack, if it doesn't then its a GKN.
You don't need a pic of a GKN.
Tim
LOL buggar off It either looks like the one in the pic in which case it's a Hydratrack, if it doesn't then its a GKN.
You don't need a pic of a GKN.
Tim
Edited by TT Tim on Tuesday 18th March 22:04
better be safe than sorry. It could be made of cheese and I would still need to be shown what Im looking at 
Tim
You don't need a pic of a gkn anyway as they weren't fitted to cerbs! all cerbs (except maybe the disgraced press car that broke it's diff on some sky tv programme before general cerbera release) have btr diffs .. either conventional friction/cone diffs or hydratrak .. for your mounting issue though they're identical.
trackcar said:
You don't need a pic of a gkn anyway as they weren't fitted to cerbs! all cerbs (except maybe the disgraced press car that broke it's diff on some sky tv programme before general cerbera release) have btr diffs .. either conventional friction/cone diffs or hydratrak .. for your mounting issue though they're identical.
PMSL, looks like I'm getting confused with my old 500 Chim' 
Tim
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