Strange clunk from rear end

[stevemac2002]

I'm having a problem locating the source of a strange clunk coming from the N/S rear end on my S2 cab most noticably when coming off speed humps and on rough roads. Its a hard noise to describe but doesn't seem to be rotational or regular, sounds like something knocking agianst something else..sort of mettalic sounding, not tinny but more solid than that. I have had a look underneath on a ramp and can't see anything obvious, all bushes and suspension mountings seem solid enough, ARB bushes all firm , shocks seem good with no leaks and all bushes in good order. Brakes seem tight with no play in pads and exhaust pipe wobbles a bit on rubber mounts but doesn't hit any metal anywhere when given a good shake so basically I'm stunped. Anyone got ideas?

 

[944 man]

Could it be the ARB touching the exhaust? Failing that youre looking for play and changing bushes...

 

[Alexw]

Iis there something in the boot space under the carpet next to the rear wheel? I keep stuff in there all the time, like first aid kit, bulbs etc, that sometimes rattles when I go over a bump. Not very loud though. Other then that, its guessing time! Is your suspension ok? Maybe broken spring or damper bottoming out?

TBH someone much more knowledgeable than me should be along to point you in the correct direction.

 

[Mike_Pollock]

Boot lid?

Mike

 

[stevemac2002]

There is a fair amount of stuff in the spare wheel well...I'll clear it out in the morning. I don't think there is anything wrong underneath having had a good poke around this morning. Hopefully I'm just being paranoid and clearing out the rubbish in the boot will sort it. I should have thought of that before!

 

[944 man]

If theres nothing loose in the rear; and Im not sure what would 'clunk, then remember that the exhaust runs very close the the roll bar on the near side at the rear..... Look for marks, becaue they dont touch all the time.

 

[stevemac2002]

cleared the boot out but noise still there. I'll have another look at the exhaust/ARB, further investigations to follow!

 

[zcacogp]

My S2 seems very prone to getting "strange clunks from the rear end".

Check the following (all problems in my experience.)

- Are the brake shoe gates clipped up tight? If not, clip them up properly.
- Are the brake shoes loose in their fittings? If not, find out why. As they wear, they move inside the 'curve' formed by the cruciform gates and are held less tightly. Solution is to replace them.
- What sort of shocks do you have? I had a problem with Koni adjustables over-extending and causing a 'clunk' as the padding washer inside them had (presumably) deterioraited. Very difficult one to diagnose, although was cured by taking the dampers off, setting them to full rebound stiffness (which I should have done from the outset anyway) and swapping them from side to side.
- Try driving with the handbrake on by a click or two. See whether this makes the noise go away. If it does, it's something to do with the handbrake mechanism inside the rear drums. (Mine has this problem at the moment and I may try foxing it this afternoon.)

Of course, try all the usual loose-stuff-in-the-boot checks beforehand ...


Oli.