can you damage a diff hiting a big muther of a pot hole??????

[Andy]

as title really, hit a MAHOOSIVE bastard pothole last night, doing about 30 - 40, couldnt see the damn thing as it was hiding in a damn puddle.

anywho, there was no apparent problems with the car after that, so carried on my way, not at excessive speed. about half an hour later was driving along and the car infront indicated to pull off, so i braked early to give em plenty of space. as i do this there is a loud thud, then a horrible noise that was consistenet with the speed of the car (travelling not engine). i carried on home (i mile away) and the noise worked itself out. got home had a look around, but couldnt see anything.

drove it to work today and the loud noise has completley gone but there is now a knocking noise from the gearbox, drive area i would say. once again its consistent with travelling speed.

the reason i say diff is that it is pretty much the same as i had when the last diff went, and the one before that (yes i know, dont drive it so bloddy hard, but i havent) the car has been treated saintly on this box (recon but no warranty as the last one was replaced on that and they wont grant me another as it was abuse that did it)

if not could anyone suggest what else it could well be?

im thinkin of trading her in, but i will keep with the bravo i think.

btw its a 99 1.2 if that helps.

sorry for the rediculously long post, but i cant be doing this again!

Andy

 

[Lee]

That and the way u and pat went over them bumps the other night.

Grab hold of the drive shaft and give them a good pull, c if there is any play in them.

Lee

 

[Andy]

will do lee, cheers mate.

do you mean that shitty bit of road on the way bk from the sun?

 

[Buzz]

this is slightly OT but if you think thats ridiculous you should check out some of the posts Nico does when he has the time.

Buzz (formerly LightWarrior)
The champion of the Bravo 1.4

 

[Tom]

Potholes put everything under huge shock loads, its possible to break something, although its usually suspension that dies.

 

[Andy]

well i was thinking of putting something along the lines of 'sorry for the nico esque post' but no one could get anywhere near his legendry status!

time to get dirty with the old girl me thinks oh er!

Andy

 

[Andy]

suspension seems alright. while driving if you take your time to put the next gear in, ie holding it between neutral and gear you can feel the knocking through the stick. going to have a good look overher now. if anyone can suggest other thins it may well be i would be fratefull, oh and ways to check for it.

Thanks

Andy

 

[Tom]

Jack it up and have a look.

 

[Andy]

ok been under it for god knows how long now and i cant see a thing, damaged part or due to the light situation.

@ Lee, driveshafts have no play in them

there is no obvious sign of broken parts, everything looks pretty square as should do. there is definately a noise, had it jacked up and ran the engine in gear and the noise was apparent under drive as weel as when off the accelerator. leads me to think it may well be a damaged driveshaft as there is no abnormal noise coming from any of the drive mech when turning driveshaft by hand.

going to get her to the garage in the morning and see what the damage is