Driveshaft/Suspension/Prop

[Chim326]

Hi, Have 1996 4.0 Chim, Trouble is when I pull away hard there is a sort of metal on metal clicking noise from the rear end, As if somthing was tapping on the chassis, Can't feel it through the car, Replaced all swinging arm bushes and recon diff 500 miles ago. Did not replace rear diff hanger bush as it looked ok, Had car on axle stands at weekend checking for signs of wear on driveshafts and even had car driving on stands but could not detect noise, obviously only happens under load. Prop looks ok as can't detect any free play in uj's. Also rechecked all suspension bolts for tightness. Made the misses stand at rear of car whilst shuttleing backwards and forwards to simulate loading and she recons noise is coming from around the middle of the car at rear not from a particular side. Maybe its a inner driveshaft bearing/coupling. Appreciate any help or has anyone suffered the same ticking under load.
Just thought i'd mension this! I also have a Sierra Coz and when the drive shaft failed it made a very differant noise more like a stone getting trapped between the lower drive shaft coupler and the rear hub assembly housing.

thanks
Steve.

[V8 Animal]

Could well be worn ARB links.

[v8sag]

Cracked top diff mount?loose front bolts where the mounts meet the diff?

[spend]

Are you sure all the driveshaft flange bolts are tight ~ they are notorious for working loose even tho we haven't heard many tales lately.

Dave

[Chim326]

Thanks guys for the quick response, Have checked the diff front plate mount bolts, and drive shaft bolts, V8sag is this the top mount at back of diff if so have checked bolts but cannot see if there is a crack will check tonite. V8animal I have replaced the mount plates on top of swinging arms coz they soon both snapped from corrosion soon after buying car. Thought at 1 stage that the long studs coming up from arb were chaffing on the plates but on inspection could not see any metal on metal polishing. And there is no squeaks, taps or clicks when normal driving even as the back road to my house is very bumpy.
Cheers
Regards
Steve.

[That Daddy]

Could be a dry Cv joint also,possibly the grease as leaked out or someone replaced the gaiter/s and did not put the grease in seen this last one alotA dry Cv joint can make a loud cracking noise if it does the joint is knackered anyways.

[Chim326]

Thanks Daddy, I have a spare cv joint from cossy, Assume they are the same will have ago tonite, Think it must be at the diff end. Have you ever changed coupler, as i understand its simple enough worst job is taking out drive shaft. Normally I would swap complete shaft for the sierra but as time is running out for goodwood on saturday and drive shafts are not easy to get your hands on quickly i may just experiment with the coupler. When i had diff reconed i did pack drive shafts with grease on refitting maybe it's just knackered.
Thanks
Steve.

[GreenV8S]

Clicking from the rear end under acceleration, worse when cornering or heavily loaded, to me says worn CV joint. Remember to replace as a pair since they tend to wear out together.

[Chim326]

No Clicking on heavey cornering just on accelerate 1st gear can't here on any other gear as to much road noise and then drop into 2nd on decel and you can just here it for a moment.

cheers.

[That Daddy]

Also check your propshaft UJ,s for rough movement/play,when the needles break up inside these things they can make the strangest noises trust me,these seldom get greased on these cars so than can accelerate the wear on the bearings.

[spend]

That Daddy said:

..propshaft UJ,s ....seldom get greased on these cars so than can accelerate the wear on the bearings.

Some UJ's dont have grease nipples, the ones that do always seem to grease 2 joints to excess & never quite sure how much the other 2 get. I can quite understand regarding them as consumables.

Dave

You must be getting as cynical as me Simon....

[v8sag]

Yes the the top rear mount,ive found both my Chim and Griff have had cracked the top mounts.
Before you change over your cossie cv joint check the size first,I think youll find it's smaller at 100mm not 110mm as on the TVR's.

[Chim326]

Thanks for the info guys, I have some confirmed info! TVR Chimaera drive shafts come from the rear wheel drive Sierra Saphire Cosworth measuring 110 mm at the the widest parts of the assembled shaft ie: donuts/flanges/couplers as with the Chimp both sides are different in length and are 25 splined. Mk3 Granada shafts measure in at 107-108 and the Sierra Saphire Cosworth 4x4 measure in at 100mm meaning that the latter 2 are not compatable for our beloved Chimaera's.
Also if you know that 1 of your CV joints has worn, You do not have to replace both ends, They are not a matched pair. However if you have the drive shaft off then you may as well replace both. Got this info from a recon company that has been advertised on piston heads in another thread.
Regards
Steve.