LewisM
28-02-2013, 11:58 PM
OK, back to car issues. My 2003 VW Passat (2.3 L V5, auto) now has in excess of 250,000 on 95% original components, and of course, things are starting to go - brake pads and rotors replaced, bearings...
Will need a shock absorber refit soon, but need to sort another issue first. A weird noise.
When I had the brakes and rotors fitted last week, I also got new tyres. INSTANTLY when driving on them, there was LOUD road noise. Took them back, and they said they will wear in etc. I knew this, but still demanded a wheel alignment and total balance, as there was definite shimmer (though not really FELT, just HEARD) sounds when driving, especially on smooth roads (not the old coarse gravel bitumen roads)
Well, it's getting weirder. The shimmer SOUND (note - MINIMAL vibration) will usually only begin after about 20 minutes driving - long enough for things to get warm. And the SOUND is only really noticeable on SMOOTH bitumen. As I said, it SOUNDS like a wheel shimmy, but without the vibration, nad it also SOUNDS like an out-of-round tyre(s), again, without vibration (well, much anyway). The sound will almost disappear at 100km/h, and then reappear between 80 and 40. At lower speeds, it is exclusively a lub-lub sound like an out of round tyre.
Some thought came to mind:
1. torque converter
2. U joints
3. out of round tyres.
Now, the car goes into gear perfectly. It accelerates perfectly. It changes gear flawlessly. It makes no abnormal noises when stationary, and there is no engine fluctuations. I think this rules out the TC.
U joints - I haven't gotten RIGHT under yet to have a play with the driveshafts or check for play as yet, but I have my hunches on it being the U joints. At low speeds, I get a chirp sound from the driver side area, and also sometimes a little clicking when turning (though different to a bad CV)
Tyres - I also haven't had the new front tyres rotated to the back to see if it alleviates the issue as yet, but the lub-lub sound makes me think PERHAPS these cheap Chinese "Bluestreak" tyres may be at fault, at least partially, coupled with the U joints.
I HAVE had Pedders do a 28 pint check, and they did claim a leaking left gas strut (it's actually NOT - it passes all "bounce" tests etc very well. The tie rod ends etc all passed. They said the rear struts were "soft" (all Passats actually ARE!) - and these struts ARE 100% original from manufacture. The also said the rear ball joint seals were perishing, but IMHO that won't cause the front end sounds I hear. The car makes NO odd noises going over bumps etc.
So, thoughts? U joints? Not TOO expensive doing them if need be (or a complete refurb drive shaft is $504 per side, VW factory recondition) Maybe an out of balance drive shaft caused by worn centre bearing or?
I want to keep the car a bit longer, as I love the car (been together 5 years now). I replaced the radiator overflow tank today, as that had a crack in the steam vent pipe, and it was spraying coolant all over the injector solenoids, port change over valves etc - caused an OVER rich situation, making my fuel economy DIE in the butt! Changed the tank, cleaned the solenoids, and all good again.
Anyway, lot of blabber there :)
Will need a shock absorber refit soon, but need to sort another issue first. A weird noise.
When I had the brakes and rotors fitted last week, I also got new tyres. INSTANTLY when driving on them, there was LOUD road noise. Took them back, and they said they will wear in etc. I knew this, but still demanded a wheel alignment and total balance, as there was definite shimmer (though not really FELT, just HEARD) sounds when driving, especially on smooth roads (not the old coarse gravel bitumen roads)
Well, it's getting weirder. The shimmer SOUND (note - MINIMAL vibration) will usually only begin after about 20 minutes driving - long enough for things to get warm. And the SOUND is only really noticeable on SMOOTH bitumen. As I said, it SOUNDS like a wheel shimmy, but without the vibration, nad it also SOUNDS like an out-of-round tyre(s), again, without vibration (well, much anyway). The sound will almost disappear at 100km/h, and then reappear between 80 and 40. At lower speeds, it is exclusively a lub-lub sound like an out of round tyre.
Some thought came to mind:
1. torque converter
2. U joints
3. out of round tyres.
Now, the car goes into gear perfectly. It accelerates perfectly. It changes gear flawlessly. It makes no abnormal noises when stationary, and there is no engine fluctuations. I think this rules out the TC.
U joints - I haven't gotten RIGHT under yet to have a play with the driveshafts or check for play as yet, but I have my hunches on it being the U joints. At low speeds, I get a chirp sound from the driver side area, and also sometimes a little clicking when turning (though different to a bad CV)
Tyres - I also haven't had the new front tyres rotated to the back to see if it alleviates the issue as yet, but the lub-lub sound makes me think PERHAPS these cheap Chinese "Bluestreak" tyres may be at fault, at least partially, coupled with the U joints.
I HAVE had Pedders do a 28 pint check, and they did claim a leaking left gas strut (it's actually NOT - it passes all "bounce" tests etc very well. The tie rod ends etc all passed. They said the rear struts were "soft" (all Passats actually ARE!) - and these struts ARE 100% original from manufacture. The also said the rear ball joint seals were perishing, but IMHO that won't cause the front end sounds I hear. The car makes NO odd noises going over bumps etc.
So, thoughts? U joints? Not TOO expensive doing them if need be (or a complete refurb drive shaft is $504 per side, VW factory recondition) Maybe an out of balance drive shaft caused by worn centre bearing or?
I want to keep the car a bit longer, as I love the car (been together 5 years now). I replaced the radiator overflow tank today, as that had a crack in the steam vent pipe, and it was spraying coolant all over the injector solenoids, port change over valves etc - caused an OVER rich situation, making my fuel economy DIE in the butt! Changed the tank, cleaned the solenoids, and all good again.
Anyway, lot of blabber there :)