grinding noise - help!

[d p]

I need some advise from all you knowledgable wedge heads. I looked at a nice 400 at the weekend thats for sale but it was making a noise ive not heard before in a 400. When on the move there was a constant grinding noise coming from the back. Not loud but it was always there. The owner says the car has made that noise ever since he has owned it (1 year) and I belive him. Im not very handy with a spanner and hope you all may be able to give me some suggestions as to what it might be and how much its likely to cost to fix.

[andymadmak]

d p said:

I need some advise from all you knowledgable wedge heads. I looked at a nice 400 at the weekend thats for sale but it was making a noise ive not heard before in a 400. When on the move there was a constant grinding noise coming from the back. Not loud but it was always there. The owner says the car has made that noise ever since he has owned it (1 year) and I belive him. Im not very handy with a spanner and hope you all may be able to give me some suggestions as to what it might be and how much its likely to cost to fix.

Could be a wheel bearing(s), sticky brake caliper, drive shaft Ujs, propshaft Ujs, differential.
It could even be a noisy fuel pump.
Check it out thoroughly before you buy!

Andy 400se

[Gerry Attrick]

Crap in the brake pads would be the first arfea I would check, especially if the car has not been used a lot. Rust off the disc can easily get between the pad and the disc, as can mud ands stones from the road - the rear brakes are quite exposed. It shouldn't take too long for your local friendly garage to stick it on a ramp and investigate.

[kjr]

I would suggest you find a friendly local garage and get the car up on a ramp.

Make sure the front wheels are restrained in some way and jack the back of the car up to get the wheels off the ramp. Into first and let the clutch out and see if you can find the source of the noise.

Hope this helps.

KJR.