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Dave_S
30th October 2016, 03:47 PM
Hi All,

I have a 1985 110 County, fitted with a near new 1994 Salisbury disc braked rear end with Maxidrive locker. The rear axle is a genuine parts assembly bought new and the Maxi was installed before it went in the car. It would have done less than 10,000 kms. All suspension bushes and the A frame ball joint were replaced 5 or 6 years ago.

For a while now, as the car comes to a stop (or sometimes just at low speed), there is a repeated loud banging or clunking from the rear end. We did find a couple of suspension bolts that needed tightening, but other than that I can't find anything that's loose or worn.

The universal joints all seem fine and there is no execessive backlash that I can see. I never did manage to cure the oil leak from the transfer box into the handbrake, despite rebuilding it all 6 times. I just top the oil up now. I am pretty sure the noise is not the handbrake drum adjustment, as the car makes the noise even with the shoes centred then backed right off.

I have read a number of threads about checking for wear in the various suspension and driveline components, but they are all a bit vague and usually come down to something like "put a big lever under it and see if it moves". Generally speaking, I've found that a component is usually so worn that you can see it without the aid of a lever, or that no amount of levering will tell me one way or another. At the moment I've got the car on axle stands and I'm not really sure of the best way to test the A frame ball joint (or anything else).

Anyway, if anyone has any suggestions as to what it might be, or as to the best way to test the relevant components, please let me know. I usually just start replacing things until the problem goes away, but research so far has included possible problems with everything from transfer box output bearings to the diff pinion to drive flanges, and replacing all of that could get expensive.

Cheers, Dave.

justinc
30th October 2016, 07:14 PM
Park brake dragging is my guess...

Jc

Defender boy
30th October 2016, 09:05 PM
It does sound like handbrake drag. To check the A arm bushes just pull and push on it from underneath, if they're the clunk you'll have massive play.

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Trout
31st October 2016, 06:13 AM
Could be A frame chassis bushes. However visual inspection or checking for movement may not reveal the problem. The bushes can look fine but the bolts wear causing them to move around in the bush and mount. As yours are 5 years plus old then I would just change them and get new bolts. They are reasonably cheap and easy to change if you have the tools. Even if this does not solve the problem it will make the car drive better anyway.

I recently had a clunk on stopping and squeaking. Changed mine a few weeks ago and problem solved. A few hours work at most.

isuzurover
31st October 2016, 09:17 AM
The A frame ball joint usually just gives a single clonk when you accelerate or brake. What you describe sounds like something in the handbrake drum. Best take it off and have a look.

You can also remove it and go for a drive.

87County
31st October 2016, 10:22 AM
has it still got the boge load-leveller installed?

Dave_S
31st October 2016, 12:27 PM
The A frame ball joint usually just gives a single clonk when you accelerate or brake. What you describe sounds like something in the handbrake drum. Best take it off and have a look.

You can also remove it and go for a drive.

LOL - I've taken it off at least 6 times in the past few months, trying to fix the oil leak. Oil still leaks and noise is always there. I've tried all sorts of things to fix the handbrake and the leak and have given up. I'm thinking of running the car as a front wheel drive only with no handbrake, to make it easier to do the regular degrease around the back of the box.

As for the self levelling strut, this was removed some time ago.

I might change some of the bushes, as I have some spares lying around.

bee utey
31st October 2016, 12:36 PM
I would be checking the brake discs for run out and tightness of fixing bolts. Just the other day I was watching a RRC pad clunk up and down as the slightly warped disc brushed past it.

isuzurover
31st October 2016, 12:43 PM
LOL - I've taken it off at least 6 times in the past few months, trying to fix the oil leak. Oil still leaks and noise is always there. I've tried all sorts of things to fix the handbrake and the leak and have given up. I'm thinking of running the car as a front wheel drive only with no handbrake, to make it easier to do the regular degrease around the back of the box.

As for the self levelling strut, this was removed some time ago.

I might change some of the bushes, as I have some spares lying around.

Which box/tcase do you have Dave?

Have you checked the breather isn't blocked? Do the seal surfaces need a speedi-sleeve?