Mystery Part 2 - What's it from?

[simonej]

Recently the back end of my car has been making a loud knocking noise under accelleration and pulling away from a standstill. I'd put this down to the diff bush wearing out but on inspection it seems ok, although three of the hex bolts on the mounting plate were loose.

Anyway, tightening the bolts didn't seem to help and the knocking has got worse. I've just looked on my driveway and found this part, caked in grease;



Anyone know what it is and where it's from? Both of my cars are off the road now so I could do with sorting it.

For info, the knocking noise was only really apparent once I'd been driving for 10 minutes or so and everything has warmed up. Anything that could be temperature related in the diff?

[phazed]

The bolts on the triangular diff mounting plates need to be tightened real tight into the diff.

Only then tighten the lock nuts on the back.

They are not "nut and bolt" fixings, iyswim!

If these aren't really tight the diff will rotate and clonk.

That part looks like a sleeve of sorts.

[ray von]

Just a guess but I think it's one of them new fangled mobile phone thingys

[auto1]

ray von said:

Just a guess but I think it's one of them new fangled mobile phone thingys

[Loach1]

Looks like a CV boot clamp to me. Grease would be consistent with that too, and the clonk might be a CV problem due to lack of grease.

[shake n bake]

Agree with loach, cv boot clip.

[QBee]

Deffo Drive shaft boot clip, as said. Look at the rubbers at each end of each drive shaft (and the prop shaft too). The larger end of each boot should be held in place with one of those. Lose it and the grease will all escape, mud, water etc will get in and over time the CV joints will become knackered and dangerous.

I spotted a split boot a week after a service (car was up on the ramp again having front brakes adjusted, I was loitering under the car being a nuisance as usual). The split was obviously new, yet my TVR guy wouldn't let me delay even one day without replacing it. Take that as a warning (and it's an MOT fail too)

[QBee]

If you are thinking of replacing it yourself, you will need the special pliers-like tool for tightening it.

[simonej]

ray von said:

Just a guess but I think it's one of them new fangled mobile phone thingys

Haha, very good!

I cleaned the part up and it looks like a jubilee clip that's been welded and then all the rough edges ground to a smooth finish. Very strange.

I'll try and get under tomorrow to have a look but it's my wedding on Saturday so apparently I have 'more important' jobs to do!

Edit: If it's a CV boot and grit and dirt has already got in, can I clean it with some petrol, regrease and then reboot?

Edited by simonej on Thursday 10th July 20:58

[QBee]

Unless you have the experience and the special tools, I would seriously suggest you take it to your local TVR expert. Which part of God's own County are you in? Anywhere near RT Racing in Sheffeld?