Fiat Ducato / Bessacarr 2006 - clunk on driving away in first gear

[DJL220]

Hi Funsters

i have the most annoying clunk which happens when I pull away, it’s on the driver side. To date I have changed all of the engine mounts (x2), rear engine/gearbox mounts (x2). New front suspension mounts, shocks, springs and the clunk is still there.

If anyone has any thoughts on how to resolve please? I still have the anti roll bar bushes, driveshafts and drop links to check off the list.

 

[Spanner]

Exhaust system mountings ?

 

[Macca1954]

When is the mot due. Good tester should be able to find it. Not a loose battery by any chance ?

 

[DJL220]

Exhaust system mountings ?

I’ve recently changed all of the exhausts mounts

 

[DJL220]

When is the mot due. Good tester should be able to find it. Not a loose battery by any chance ?

I haven’t checked that
Nothing mentioned on the MOT in Jan

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[Bessy765]

Unless Plainly obvious I don’t think the mot test would pick it up. Have you tries jacking the offside front wheel just off the ground using a trolley jack under the wishbone as close to the wheel as you can to keep the suspension at the same level as when on the ground then put van in gear try to turn the wheel in the direction of travel as hard as you can and see if it creates the knock.

 

[chatteris]

is the driveshaft nut tight

 

[Grummyb]

Coukd be a CV joint on its way out if its FWD or as sound will travel through the chassis so it could be rear axle mounts or have you chevk the wheel nuts are tight

 

[Landy Andy]

Assume you have checked front wishbones.
Brake pads in the callipers would have been noticed doing the other jobs.

 

[Macca1954]

I haven’t checked that
Nothing mentioned on the MOT in Jan

Was it making that noise that far back. Think a decent mechanic is more likely to find it than people guessing on here

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[DJL220]

Was it making that noise that far back. Think a decent mechanic is more likely to find it than people guessing on here

Yep that will be the worse case scenario if I can’t fault find it myself

 

[DJL220]

Assume you have checked front wishbones.
Brake pads in the callipers would have been noticed doing the other jobs.

Brakes are all new and it was making the noise prior to the swap. Front wishbone is one item I will take a closer look at

 

[DJL220]

is the driveshaft nut tight

Haven’t checked that yet!

 

[donkey]

Hi
Does it make the noise as you go forward and the same when you go backwards?
Does it happen at any other time?
Have you had someone adjacent to the offside wheel to listen for the noise?
Did it just start or has it been getting worse over a period of time?
Can you 'feel' the clonk, or is it just audio?

Lots of things to check!!!

Geoff

 

[Vipar]

If it happens when you are turning the steering wheel it could possibly by A CV joint

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[DJL220]

If it happens when you are turning the steering wheel it could possibly by A CV joint

It happens when you start moving forwards. I have had it before years ago on a car and it was the engine mounts. The mounts on my Motorhome where around 15 years old so I changed them. It’s now less noticeable but still there. Going to check out the wishbones, antil roll bar bushes, CV joints and check all nuts are tightened to torque values. Then I think it could be time for a garage to have a look

 

[DJL220]

Hi
Does it make the noise as you go forward and the same when you go backwards?
Does it happen at any other time?
Have you had someone adjacent to the offside wheel to listen for the noise?
Did it just start or has it been getting worse over a period of time?
Can you 'feel' the clonk, or is it just audio?

Lots of things to check!!!

Geoff

Geoff - yep backwards or forwards. It’s been there for a while, can’t feel it just an annoying little clunk. It’s better since I have changed lol the items but still there.

 

[Vipar]

Do show us a picture when you get it sorted. Cheaply I hope good luck

 

[donkey]

Geoff - yep backwards or forwards. It’s been there for a while, can’t feel it just an annoying little clunk. It’s better since I have changed lol the items but still there.

Hi

When you say it reduced after fitting engine mountings that rather rules out driveline components.
Is it a Fiat, Peugeot, Citroen? if so there is a torque reaction bush at the lower back of the engine/gearbox. It is easy to check and/or replace and could certainly give you the noise you describe, if loose or worn.

Geoff

 

[DJL220]

Hi

When you say it reduced after fitting engine mountings that rather rules out driveline components.
Is it a Fiat, Peugeot, Citroen? if so there is a torque reaction bush at the lower back of the engine/gearbox. It is easy to check and/or replace and could certainly give you the noise you describe, if loose or worn.

Geoff

It’s a Fiat Geoff.
I also replace the rear 2 mounts on the gearbox, are there more on a pre face lift 2006?

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[donkey]

Hi
So you have replaced the rear lower torque bush, it is usually supplied complete in an aluminium housing. When I replaced one I noticed it could be 'adjusted' when fitting, that is to say it could be clamped up tight in various positions. I fitted all nuts and bolts, then before clamping any tight I jacked the engine/gearbox up so it was sitting in a more comfortable position, rather than laying back. If you rock the engine with the mounting removed you will see what I mean, I just placed the engine in the midway position, rather than laying back.

Geoff

 

[DJL220]

Did you replace these by chance?

These are the gearbox ones I replaced. Going to get the pry bar out next and check all other rubber mounting bushes.

 

[donkey]

Hi
This is the one I referred to, but looking I think it may be different on your earlier model. <Broken link removed>

Geoff

 

[DJL220]

So after replacing the anti roll bar bushes, drop links and replacing the wish bones bushes my clunking noise is still there. Both bushes were in need of replacement and she now handles really well around roundabouts without the swaying and makes pulling the Fiat 500 much nicer.

There are only two things left which could be making the noise (I think)
1) Driveshaft full or cv outer joint
2) Lower wishbone ball join

If only I can get rid of this clunking noise, my travels would be perfect

 

[Grummyb]

A good way to check CV joints is hard lock and reverse slowly in a circle a couple of times and then do the same on the other lock or at least that's how I used to do it

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[DJL220]

So finally I have got rid of the clunking noise - only took a year
Whilst undertaking a major service including the timing belt, aux belt, gear box oil, oil, filters etc I replaced the R/H side driveshaft and hey presto the noise has now gone - Yipeeeeeeeeee
complete s#@t of a job as the hub nut was seized, nothing would shift it so I used the angle grinder to remove part of the nut. Then the impact driver took it off.

nice and shiny until the next journey

New Hub nut 400nm is the spec for this bad boy