Hello all!

Please bare with me... I have recently had my clutch replaced at a Fiat/abarth dealer near me and collected on the date I requested all good I thought. However, As they were bring my car round the check engine light came on - the Lambda exhaust sensor was caught or something so they sorted it. I was happy and left... anyway, Driving back home I make a tight left corner and hear a bang/knock sound.

now ever since every time this bang/knock tends to happen if I hit a bump on the passenger side, exit a round-a-bout [mainly ones with a more prominent camber to the road], occassionally speed bumps but most commonly tight left turns [occasionally right turns too].

Ive taken it back a couple of times and they have supposedly not found anything wrong... The first time they said they could hear the noise but couldnt find its source. So I mentioned it sounded like it was coming from under the car directly under the gearbox / handbrake area and that the bang reminded me of a time the centre exhaust arm was knocking so asked them to check this to rule it out and told them to keep the car over the bank holiday to work on it on tuesday - they said it wasnt this but they modified the hanging and said it was sorted.
I collected the car again after their working hours but got to the first round-a-bout and bang the noise happens.

Tonight I was investigating myself and I turned the steering full left lock and started checking the roll bar etc on the passenger side - I discover the entire driveshaft moves in and out ever so slightly [assuming this is not right! drivers side doesn't move at all].

My questions are:
1) has anyone had this sort of play in there driveshaft? will it make a knocking noise/bang similar to as I have described?
2) Am I correct in thinking the driveshaft comes out during a clutch replacement - which could justify how this may have only occurred since the clutch was fitted.

hi
is the gearbox mounting tight under the battery

s and b said:

hi

is the gearbox mounting tight under the battery

Click to expand...

I've not checked that I will have a look at the weekend for that. I've booked in again at the garage for them to look at it once again and I've offered to take a technician out while I drive so I can point out the noise. It just seems to be becoming a bit of a farce so I'm ticking off as many possible causes myself so they don't waste their time and my time.

Cheers for the suggestion!

Both driveshafts should be tight,with only tiny movement. They are held in by a circlip around the shaft splines, and this is snug in its groove in the diff.

I'd guess that the shaft is not properly seated into the diff, so the circlip has not engaged. A bit poor that they did not fit this properly, and worse that they could not find it.

Best not to drive it until the shaft is properly secured. Unlikely that it can drop out, but not worth the risk. Its movement may also cause some wear to the splines, both of the shaft and the diff, something to bite you later.

Be there tomorrow morning as they open. Explain what you have found. They should be able to fix this within minutes, unless the clip is broken or missing. If the clip is broken or missing, there is a chance that bits are inside the box. So now they need to lend you a car while they strip the box to ensure no bits are inside.

Be firm, but remain polite, and don't lose your temper. At that time reception will be busy with other customers so they will pay attention to keep you peaceful. Use this to your advantage.