I have recently lowered my Panda CLX by 40mm and had some new standard shocks put on her. Then my partner (seen about on the forum as markymarc) sourced some 13" alloy,s in brilliant re-furbed condition, from an Uno Turbo.

Prior to fitting the alloys, she had the standard 13" steels fitted with no noise/knocking or any problems. We put the alloys on, having changed the tyres to 165/55/13, and now a loud knocking can be heard from the back of the car. We checked that the wheels weren't rubbing anywhere and then asked our mechanic to take a look. He has confirmed there is no rubbing anywhere and has tried some 5mm spacers but still the knocking persists.

I'm really hoping someone has had a similar problem and can offer some advice on this mystery.

Many thanks for any help.

When the knocking is occuring? going over Speed bump, pot hole, fast corner, etc.

I would inspect rear trailing arms and their bushes, especialy the big ones.

As the car is lowered now, trailing arm is on different angle therefore might be ok in OE position.

Might be worth checking the exhaust support rubbers, it may be bashing off the axel or body. (If the car has been lowered adverse bouncing could cause already failing supports to drop in bits)

As Jacob suggests, check bushes plus try and work out what situation causes the knocking whilst driving, ie. Speed bumps, cats eyes etc. It will help identify which side it's coming from aswell as narrow down the cause of the noise.

Just a thought but are you using the proper alloy wheel bolts for the Uno Turbo wheels
or the original Panda bolts.
Also being the same PCD you shouldn't need wobbly bolts.
Stranger things have happened!
Dave

Bingo!

Wheel bolt lenght - some one on here used to long bolts and they wehe catching on the brake shoes springs. Does your knocking sounds like that?

Kolza
I may be old but I do sometimes have brainwaves
Dave

pandamaniac said:

I may be old but I do sometimes have brainwaves
Dave

Click to expand...

Your hint of correct wheel bolts automaticly reminded me about them protruding to far throught the brake drum.

Hope it just that....

Some other possibles I've had:
1 The Uno turbo Wheels I have do foul the back axle slightly on the front edge without spacers.
2 Rear shocks: they run very close to the inside of the rim, and with minor variations in design of the base of the shock (square bad, rounded good) they can sometimes knock on the rim over bumps (also if the rubbers are getting tired) Also check if the wheel balancing weights are mounted inside where they might foul the shock.
3 Lowering the suspension lifts the rear axle up slightly so it runs closer to the exhaust where it goes up & over, so there's less tolerance for mounting angle or tired rubbers before the exhaust knocks on the axle over bumps.

Happy hunting!

pandamaniac said:

Just a thought but are you using the proper alloy wheel bolts for the Uno Turbo wheels
or the original Panda bolts.
Also being the same PCD you shouldn't need wobbly bolts.
Stranger things have happened!
Dave

Click to expand...

Firstly, I'd like to say a huge thank you to you all for your thoughts and ideas on this. You really are a very helpful and friendly bunch and I really appreciate your advice.

Dave, I have to admit that no, I have not used the correct Uno Turbo wheel bolts. I have found a set on Ebay so I think I may start by trying this first. I noticed that the bolt holes in the alloys are very slightly ovalled instead of round. Does anyone know if this was standard on the Uno Turbo alloys or has a previous owner been tampering?!

Once again, thank you so much for your postings guys.

Re: 1993 CLX - Advice/Help Required - Alloys

Yippee!!! I think we may have finally sorted the turbo uno alloy wheel problem out. To be honest, I can't believe it was something so simple causing the problem.

It appears the wheel balancing weights were knocking on the shock absorber when one particular wheel was on the back and when we tried changing it to the front, the balancing weights were rubbing on the brake caliper. So the moral of this tale is, I have to be very particular when having balancing done and advise the tyre fitter where exactly the weights need placing.

Now i've got over that hurdle, it's off for the tracking to be done this weekend and then I need a spot of welding done - a tiny patch on the passenger side foot well and both the rear wheel arches where I took the plastic moulding off.

There lies my next problem - trying to source 2 wheel arch repair panels. Wish me luck!!

Kezza
Glad you sorted it.
Re rear wheel arches you are unlikely to find repair panels, other than a full rear panel.
Best bet may be to look out for someone scrapping a panda and get the bit you want cut out. Thats what I did.
Other than that weld and fill.
Dave

Re: 1993 CLX - Advice/Help Required - Alloys

firstcar-Y10 said:

2 Rear shocks: they run very close to the inside of the rim, and with minor variations in design of the base of the shock (square bad, rounded good) they can sometimes knock on the rim over bumps (also if the rubbers are getting tired) Also check if the wheel balancing weights are mounted inside where they might foul the shock.

Click to expand...

Kezza said:

Yippee!!! I think we may have finally sorted the turbo uno alloy wheel problem out. To be honest, I can't believe it was something so simple causing the problem.

It appears the wheel balancing weights were knocking on the shock absorber when one particular wheel was on the back and when we tried changing it to the front, the balancing weights were rubbing on the brake caliper. So the moral of this tale is, I have to be very particular when having balancing done and advise the tyre fitter where exactly the weights need placing.

Click to expand...

Ha haaa! score one me Glad you found it

pandamaniac said:

Kezza
Glad you sorted it.
Re rear wheel arches you are unlikely to find repair panels, other than a full rear panel.
Best bet may be to look out for someone scrapping a panda and get the bit you want cut out. Thats what I did.
Other than that weld and fill.
Dave

Click to expand...

Thank you for your advice Dave. I've just spoken with the other half and he's going to go for the weld and fill route. My Panda is going to be fully wrapped (eventually!) so that will cover up any imperfections. You've saved me a lot of time here. It's much appreciated. Thanks again ?

Re: 1993 CLX - Advice/Help Required - Alloys

firstcar-Y10 said:

Ha haaa! score one me

Glad you found it

Click to expand...

You're help was absolutely spot on Firstcar-Y10. My patience was really beginning to waiver on this one. I've had my Panda 2 months and have only driven her twice. I really needed to get the alloy problem sorted to get a few miles in before summer is over and I have to put her away for the winter. Thanks to you I'm back on track.

Thanks ever so much for your help. I know exactly where to come when I hit my next problem!

Kez x

Re: 1993 CLX - Advice/Help Required - Alloys

Kezza said:

I know exactly where to come when I hit my next problem!

Kez x

Click to expand...

Panda's don't cause problems, they simply generate chalenges.

Re: 1993 CLX - Advice/Help Required - Alloys

or require "special" maintenance..

or require the knowledge of a few remaining nutters, who should get to bed earlier and tend to their women folk.(most Pandas are female) you either love them or hate them.

Dave