I know i've started a few threads regarding this but thought it would be worth another to keep things clear etc. Anyway.

A clunking noise started, on my drivers side suspension, around 3 months ago and has been getting worse since i.e. from knocking on reversing to going round corners whilst driving. I thought it was drop links but I've had it looked at today, and apparently, it's the CV Joint (drop links are fine and the same knocking is caused when pulling on the below):



According to the garage, the problem is caused when a car is lowered and the CV joint sits in a 'V' shape causing grease etc to leak and eventually cause the problem i've got. So a couple of questions:

1.is this expensive to repair
2. if i get it fixed, will it not just happen again?
3. Why the f*** did I not see any info about this anywhere before lowering, is it not a common issue?
4. Are 'lowered CV joints' an option? I really cannot afford for things like this to happen as a result of something iv changed on the car

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The other issue, causing some stupid rattling, is the exhaust sitting more or less on this bar:



Is there anything I can wrap around the bar to stop this?

How exhaust UK said there is no way its that that's is rattling just confuses me. It's obviously the only thing close to metal on metal, and I proved it by pulling on the exhaust.

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Thanks in advance anyone, really appreciate any advice as the last thing I wanna do is have to put the car back on standard suspension, it would probably cost me more to do this than to leave it how it is, and with having to have a new cambelt very soon, its not a great time.

Sam

Regarding your exhaust mate I would go back and ask them to weld on hangers which arent going to let the exhaust move or have them move the exhaustto the side slightly, that or maybe exhaust wrap could help its a performance wrap to keep the exhaust gases warm with the exhaust but may be able to give you the room so its not metal on metal contact.

Thank you mate. With all this crap im gonna be nearing on spending as much as I bought the car for lol

It was similar with my last car spent more on it than it was worth and then I sold it for my GP sometimes wonder wether I should have kept it but its just the luck of it int it mate. Hope it sorts out for you!

Yep thats it! cheers mate. Hopefully someone has some advice as can't find anything on this

I know this was posted late last night so probably not been seen that much, but if anybody can offer any advice regarding the CV joint I would be really grateful. It's something im not familiar with and with a new cambelt and other stuff to pay for, I really need some advice on this.

UPDATE: Car is booked in with exhaust UK for standard manifold refitting and exhaust adjusting so that it is no where near that bar

I think the brace bar can be removed and bolted back on the other way up to give more clearance can't it?

As for cv joints, in the past I've had to buy new drive shafts as the cv joints weren't available separately (on a Peugeot). I think you can get re-furb/exchange drive shaft assemblies. I did the swap myself in a day, needed a ball joint splitter, a massive torque wrench and a massive socket (for the drive shaft and nut) as well as all the usual tools. DIY or at a garage, its not going to be cheap.

Edit. Euro car parts appear to have cv joint kits for about £38.00 per side. Not too bad!

Thank you. Is there anyway to prevent it happening again? If im honest, I have a feeling it was gonna go anyway and lowering has just sped it up. After reading up, it doesnt sound like lowering alone could cause a cv joint to go within a few months. I've also found out it has been caused by leakage of lubricants i.e. grease etc, could a stronger sealer be used around the boot maybe?

im jut surprised because so many have lowered their car on here but not seen any problems regarding cv joint.

EDIT: found the cv joint as mentioned above

http://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/c/F...617283e3681f512fde76e70f61534fbe16dd1a&000095

so how much to get this thing fitted? And as above, any prevention to stop this again? Surely someone must have had the same happen to them

Sam, the brace is a heap of flimsy crap and just bends 24/7.. I had mine off bent it and put it back on but the pressure of the car going over bumps etc just bends it again.. Best thing to do is invest in some Forge braces, mine were about £45 I think.. Paid cash in Gloucester at the forge warehouse. Never had the noise since

Sorry, no idea about cv fitting cost. I'd only be guessing as to the cause but lowering couldn't have helped.

Neilyo is that the bar that runs straight under the exhaust above?

@jamieshobiecat it seems im gonna have to get it fixed either way, and fingers crossed, the lack of cv joint/lowering problems on here proves that it was about to go anyway. All I can do is get it fixed and raise the front up 10mm or so. I dont think im gonna go down the root of shorter drive shaft etc...unless I have to to keep the lows.

sammclean23 said:

@Neilyo is that the bar that runs straight under the exhaust above?

Click to expand...

Ye pal, I had it on and off all the time.. pain in the arse when you dont have ramps. The more you bend it the weaker it gets aswell I assume, so it just keeps flexing back.

trust me, forge braces are 100x better.. They give you two, ones fitted in the same place and a shorter one is fitted further towards the middle of the car. you can feel the difference slightly, car seems a little bit more firm.

edit: and you dont get the gay rattling/vibrating

Neilyo sorry to be lazy but any chance you can link me to one please mate? also, they wont affect re-sale value will they? not that anyone would notice.

can someone confirm if this is the right one?

http://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/c/Fiat_Grande%20Punto_1.4_2006/p/car-parts/car-transmission/transmission-parts/cv-joint-kits/?657653061&1&ef617283e3681f512fde76e70f61534fbe16dd1a&000095

gonna order 2 now if it is. might aswell do other side before that goes too, is that the best thing to do?

Yes do the pair, it will be cheaper in the long run.

thanks mate, what about these, would you trust it?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FIAT-GRAN...arts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item20c31f19d1

EDIT: going for these above. Paying £31 for 2 as oppose to £38 for one at europarts.

Can anyone offer advice on whether I should get 'thicker' grease so to speak? to stop it leaking.

Hi mate,

take a look at the link below;

http://www.forgemotorsport.co.uk/content.asp?inc=product&cat=060202&product=FMFGPSB

if you need any advice let me know

Thanks will take a look

Hi mate I had major rattling that lasted months and finally sorted it out, c the thin bar on the subframe, it's job is just to stop the under tray hitting the exaust, it bends really easily like how yours looks to have done, just take it off bend it back strait n pop it back on, it stopped my rattling completely and hasn't come back, hope I'm not teaching you to suck eggs n hope it helps a bit at least

excellent cheers mate! will have a look and may have to get it off and bend it back, if i dont get hold of the foge was linked above.

Is the undertray the part bang right to the exhaust flange?