Just wondered if anyone has any suggestions as to what might be the cause of a clunk/knock from the rear of my '57 reg Dynamic. It's been there since day one, and is driving me mad. We love the car, but are getting to the stage where we have had enough. It's been into Denkales who said there was no noise, but "to make you happy we will change the rear shocks" I don't believe they did, as it was in and out of the workshop in 35 minutes, and they didn't even take the wheels off. Some dealers must think we are stupid. Anyway, it's been to another Fiat garage (Denkales have now closed / gone bust), and they agree it is noisy, but don't know what to do. It sounds like the spare wheel is loose (it isn't), and seems to come from both sides. Also has anyone else got rusty rear brake drums?. I know disc's have surface rust on them, but my drums are completely orange. I was told this was "normal", whereas I don't think it is.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

When does the noise occur, during braking, cornering, accelerating, on bends, up hill, down hill, on the straight and narrow, during reversing or only when parking?
The rear drums are cast, they will rust, changing from shiny <ish> when new to bright orange and, eventually, to a dark, subdued grot. It's perfectly normal. You could try this sort of stuff if you want, http://www.extremeautoaccessories.co.uk/products.php?section=1243 but make sure you only use paint specified for brake drums.

I changed the shocks on mine to try and get rid of the same noise. It literally took just 10 mins. No need to take the wheels off, just 2 bolts either side. However it did not cure the problem. I think it's some sort of design fault to do with the rear tailgate struts. I took the struts off, and the rattles ( from both sides) were completely gone. I had looked at everything - seat belts, rear seat catches, tailgate catch ( even drove with that removed ). The only thing that stopped it was removal of tailgate struts. Greasing up the sockets of the struts cures the rattle for about a week or so. If you remove the tailgate catch/striker plate from the car and then slowly shut the tailgate you can hear the noise.

Completely normal for rear drums to go rusty on the outside.

IIRC there is a rear anti-roll bar... could it be the linkages that are causing the noise?

When the Panda is built the rear drums receive a relatively thin coat of black paint. This gradually comes off to leave rust.
However, I'm surprised that a Panda less than one year old has completely lost the paint. I wonder if it sat in a puddle in a field for a while prior to delivery like cars used to in "the good old days". Or maybe you live near the sea.
Either way, it isn't a problem and does not need rectification. If it looks unsightly, brush off the loose rust and Hammerite the drums.

doctorchris said:

When the Panda is built the rear drums receive a relatively thin coat of black paint. This gradually comes off to leave rust.
However, I'm surprised that a Panda less than one year old has completely lost the paint. I wonder if it sat in a puddle in a field for a while prior to delivery like cars used to in "the good old days". Or maybe you live near the sea.
Either way, it isn't a problem and does not need rectification. If it looks unsightly, brush off the loose rust and Hammerite the drums.

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Am sure heat would play its part in rusting the outside of the drums. Mind you its the first time i've had a car with rear drums rather than discs for about ten years!

Thanks for all your replies. Not too bothered about the drums really,just thought I'd mention it.The clunking/.knocking at the back seems worst when you set off on a journey, maybe I just get used to it after a while, but is there all the time though,it sounds like the whole rear axle is loose, I'm sure it isn't, but thats the sort of noise it makes. It's probably worse when going over potholes, that sort of thing. Not noticable when braking.

Tell the garage about the tailgate struts as Murano16v described and ask if they'd remove/replace them? Otherwise, if they continue with the "don't know what to do" stance, I'd seriously look for another dealership if only to get a diagnosis.

I know the tailgate struts probably sounds unlikely to be the cause, but what you describe sounds exactly like the maddening loud clunky rattle that I had which appeared to come from both sides and also changed from side to side. It took me months to find it, and I virtually took the car apart trying to find it. If you can support the tailgate and remove the struts ( a simple spring clip ) it is worth doing even just to eliminate this as the cause.

hey, i get the same noise in my 100hp its just the bak box hiting against somthing as the rides so hard.

Couldn't be doing with that, the exhaust should only ever make contact in extreme conditions. Maybe you should take the "traffic calming measures" a bit more gently?

noisy rear end?

Tailgate latch, known probelm, well known amongst Panda owners, dealers know nothing as usual!

Drums are not painted when new just cast and do go orange, mine is only four months old and has done same, will get round to painting them, but is such a cheap car I don't expect too much.

Mike - A - Million said:

noisy rear end?

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Beans beans are musical fruit the more you eat the more you toot..:devil:

I've got a slight clunk from the rear of mine when going over certain kinds of speed humps, mainly the flat top style. I get the impression it's coming from the rear axle and am wondering if it could be bushes or something else connected with linkages.

PNL said:

Beans beans are musical fruit the more you eat the more you toot..:devil:

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Ah, the famous Pink Helmets Motorcycle Display Team.

I know this isn't relevent to this problem, it's just a general observation.
My Panda 4x4 makes all sorts of fairly quiet clunks from the rear end especially when negotiating potholes and speed bumps. It's never worried me and I think it's a characteristic of a rear suspension of a completely different design to the front wheel drive cars, having to carry a rear transmission as well as just suspension.
This observation may just help other 4x4 owners who are browsing.

Had a look at the rear tailgate struts, they both feel quite flimsy, and there seems to be some lateral play in them, I will try to disconnect them to see if that makes a difference. I know it's a cheap car, but this noise is driving us mad !.

The rubber stoppers on each edge of the tailgate can be wound out, have you tried adjusting them so it puts a little tension on the boot lock - take you a minute to try, costs nowt if it doesn't work...

I bought my panda on monday and i had that annoying clunking /rattling in the rear of my car. But when me, hubby and 2 kids were in it the clunking/rattling stopped. My hubby thought it was a weight distribution issue. Sooooo... me and me mate was circling my town trying to find the cause. After 2 days i finally found out what it is. THE REAR BACK SEATS!! They where properly locked in position but they still rattled so i jammed a pair of sock down both sides of the seats and it worked hahahaha!! :slayer: