WHAT'S THAT NOISE ?

[THE BADGE]

Hi Everyone,
For the last couple of weeks I've been getting a noise from the rear end of the van, like a 'crack', or loud bang, at first I thought it was the spare wheel come loose & bouncing about, but this is still nice & tight, the exhaust is solid & in correct position, the shocks look ok, i can't make out what it is, it happens when i drive over speed bumps, & i don't go fast over them, but saying that , it doesn't make the noise every time, it seems to happen at all speeds, if the road is particulary bumpy it can also happen, also if you hit a bump when cornering it sometimes happens, I'm baffled, any ideas ?

[Egg on Leggs]

Hi Everyone,
For the last couple of weeks I've been getting a noise from the rear end of the van, like a 'crack', or loud bang, at first I thought it was the spare wheel come loose & bouncing about, but this is still nice & tight, the exhaust is solid & in correct position, the shocks look ok, i can't make out what it is, it happens when i drive over speed bumps, & i don't go fast over them, but saying that , it doesn't make the noise every time, it seems to happen at all speeds, if the road is particulary bumpy it can also happen, also if you hit a bump when cornering it sometimes happens, I'm baffled, any ideas ?

Have you looked at the springs, one might be broken.

[Trevor]

The brake load spring above the axle may be worth looking at as well

[polar]

How many miles on your vehicle? Could be the arm bushes

[THE BADGE]

Hi Folks,
Thanks for your replies,  this van has now done 172,400 miles,
I shall get underneath again, & check your suggestions, thanks so much for your help, I shall let you know the outcome.

[geoff]

I used to get the same thing with my old C15 ( 3 months old ) and it was the brake balance unit spring, I reset the unit and all good afterwards - the dealership failed to work it out.

Sounded like a cross between a loud bang / twanging noise.

Fingers crossed for an easy fix.

[Gadgetman]

The load balance spring is the only 'spring' back there...

The suspension uses torsion bars, and no, you don't want to hear them go 'twang'...
(If it's the suspension or the needle bearings it gets costly. £400 for a recon rear axle, new hubs, probably new shocks, possibly new rear rubber mouts for the axle... Yeah, been there, done it, have the oily T-shirt to prove it.)

If the torsion bars go(usually only one) it will be lower on one side. If more than one breaks, you get the automatic warning system.(you smell burnt rubber as the wheels rub in the wheel wells... )

The brake balancer spring can easily be accessed from the wheel well if you remove the righthand side rear wheel.

[THE BADGE]

Thanks Chaps,
as Geoff mentioned the load spring, I'm pretty sure it's not that, I used to get that 'twangy' sound on my old Lingo, also heard it on this van aswell, don't think it'slooking good, as you say it all gets costly, such a shame, the van's in really nice condition, & runs like a dream, the MOT is due next month, think I'll wait to see what arises then, looking at the rear end of van it is sitting evenly, knowing my luck it will cost a fortune to repair,   Thanks again for all your help, I'll keep you informed.

[THE BADGE]

Hi chaps & chapesses,
I still haven't found out what this b****y noise is, my MOT is due this coming Saturday, so perhaps it will be revealed then,
it's really baffled me, I'm beginning to think it's haunted !    

Hopefully it's something simple that I've overlooked, & not something that will cost a fortune to put right,
anyway, keep the sunny side up folks, speak soon.

[THE BADGE]

Hi Folks,
Wahaaay ! my van passed it's MOT with no problems,
I told the Tester about the noise, & he thoroughly examined whatever could be the cause, - to no avail, everything was ok, so the noise remains a mystery, I will find out eventually, but I'm so pleased it's nothing serious, & my van is good for another year, I've completely T-cut & waxed it ! ( jeees, b****y hard work ) but it sure looks good,
speak to you soon folks, hope you're all well.