Technical Cambelt/back bumper tech queries...

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Technical Cambelt/back bumper tech queries...

hollister

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Couple of queries for the technically competent...

Vehicle: 2005 'new' Panda 1.2 petrol 4x4

Cambelt:
I've never done any real mechanical work, but wondered if changing belt and tensioner is the kind of job a newbie like me might be able to handle? Obviously it's crucial it's done right, how difficult is it likely to be? Otherwise, what should I pay someone to do it for me (how many hours should it take?)

Rear bumper and black extra middle bumper thing:
This isn't really mechanical as such so ought to be within my abilites. I reckon this may well be the cause of the irritating rattling at rear of my 4x4 (thanks for suggestions before, I've checked out shocker rubbers and seem to be fine). If I can get the whole bumper assembly off, I will have hopefully isolated the rattle. Is this going to be an awkward job or it is straightford (to put it back late too!). Thought I could re-assemble with some mastic/foam/rubber washers to get rid of rattle.

Cheers!
 
Couple of queries for the technically competent...

Vehicle: 2005 'new' Panda 1.2 petrol 4x4

Cambelt:
I've never done any real mechanical work, but wondered if changing belt and tensioner is the kind of job a newbie like me might be able to handle? Obviously it's crucial it's done right, how difficult is it likely to be? Otherwise, what should I pay someone to do it for me (how many hours should it take?)

Rear bumper and black extra middle bumper thing:
This isn't really mechanical as such so ought to be within my abilites. I reckon this may well be the cause of the irritating rattling at rear of my 4x4 (thanks for suggestions before, I've checked out shocker rubbers and seem to be fine). If I can get the whole bumper assembly off, I will have hopefully isolated the rattle. Is this going to be an awkward job or it is straightford (to put it back late too!). Thought I could re-assemble with some mastic/foam/rubber washers to get rid of rattle.

Cheers!

Regards to the timing belt, your not going to do any damage if you miss time is as the engine is none interfeerence, so I'd recomend giving it a go if you've got the confidence.

As for the middle section of the rear bumper, I believe that these are plastic welded to the main section, so I doubt it'll be the cause of the rattle. Have you checked that the spare wheel and tools are correctly secured as these can often cause a rattling from the rear of the car.

Jon.
 
That's very interesting because I'd been sort of 'scared' into doing teh timing belt asap 'cause I thought it would wreck the engine if it broke!

With the rattling bumper, i've tried the car with all of t he wheel, jack etc out of the car and it still rattles. But I think ther's been a minor repair to the back bumper in the past and that may be why it is rattling. Thought if I could get it all off I can drive it 'naked' and see if the rattle's gone. : )
 
That's very interesting because I'd been sort of 'scared' into doing teh timing belt asap 'cause I thought it would wreck the engine if it broke!

With the rattling bumper, i've tried the car with all of t he wheel, jack etc out of the car and it still rattles. But I think ther's been a minor repair to the back bumper in the past and that may be why it is rattling. Thought if I could get it all off I can drive it 'naked' and see if the rattle's gone. : )

Try that and you will be in jail before you know it! Unless you live in Brighton, in which case, brace yourself for lots of new friends...
 
to keep folks posted, I took off all the bumper stuff - still rattles! Now thinking, either petrol tank (which seems to sort of 'shudder-rattle' if I knock it – maybe it needs to be isolated more, it seems to be plastic tank held in place by metal straps, whihc acoustically can't be great.

Also, when I rock the rear of the car hard, I do get a lot of knocks and bangs from the suspension. the shocks and springs all look fine (no leaks or visible damge to either rubbers or springs) but maybe at 6 years and 38k (mostly road) miles it is crying out for new shockers? I might have to bite the bullet and get me wallet out : (

Anyone care to guess the lifespan of Panda shockers?

Cheers!!!
 
fwiw, knackered shocks can 'clonk'. I had a similar issue on another car earlier this year - an untraceable rattle: I too went through the whole cycle of removing tools, jack etc - in fact anything not welded or bolted down, to try and find the source! My last ditch attempt to trace the sound was to push down on each corner of the car and watch the rebound. All corners were okay, except the o/s rear which bounced 3 or 4 times before coming to a rest! Replacing the shock cured the problem instantly. Maybe worth a look?
 
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