Technical Possible drive shaft noise?

[FrenchPanda]

I know its impossible to diagnose whats making a particular noise but.... usually on a relatively smooth rooad I keep getting a kerchingkerching noise from the drivers side wheel/hub area usually on a constant throttle. It goes if I brake and doesn't do it on rough roads!! I jacked it up this morning and there is some play in the driveshaft on the drivers side, and the inboard gaiter(or) is leaking a little oil. The play exists if I twist the drive shaft by hand and there is also play side to side which is a bit worse. Are Pandas prone to noise from the driveshafts when there is some play? No problem fitting new drive shafts they are about 65 euros a side (55 quid) but dont want to go down that route and waste money if its likely to be something else. There is no play in any of the hub and steering joints or the struts which seem fairly recent. Any ideas?

Thanks
Kevin

 

[default_user]

There shouldn't be any play at the hub end. Check the large nut that holds it on for tightness. It should be peened to a notch in the end of the drive shaft to stop it coming loose.

 

[FrenchPanda]

Thanks for that but the nut is tight and peened the play seems to be either at the CV joint before the hub or at the other end or both.
Regards
Kevin

 

[default_user]

There is nothing holding the drive shaft in at the gearbox end so that it can move in and out with suspension and steering movement. If there is play at the hub end then it must be the CV joint. You can usually tell if a CV joint is failing by driving the car around in a circle on full lock. If there are any knocking or graunching noises it'll be the CV joint.

 

[FrenchPanda]

Thanks for that. This is a puzzle, there is no noise on full lock either way which would seem to rule out the CV joint so am stuck again

Thanks Kevin

 

[FrenchPanda]

Turned out just to be anti squeal spring had dropped off and pads were bouncing about in the caliper, never come across noise like it before. New discs and pads now fitted and quiet. Thanks guys
Kevin

 

[lewey]

Cheers for getting back with the answer, it can be so useful in the future for others, yet most don't who aren't regular posters.

 

[VmanC]

Turned out just to be anti squeal spring had dropped off and pads were bouncing about in the caliper, never come across noise like it before. New discs and pads now fitted and quiet. Thanks guys
Kevin

I picked up another 4x4 recently that sounded like the front suspension was on it's last legs, turned out to be the same thing, new anti rattle springs and it was good as new .
The pads were already new so I think the person who fitted them left the springs off.

 

[FrenchPanda]

Same here VmanC, new pads fitted, only the spring fixed to a peg had been broken off so took me a while to find some pads that included new springs. Can't imagine why the discs werent changed at the same time, there was 3 mm of wear on each side and a huge lip, only cost 44 euros (about 40 quid) for discs and pads so not expensive. Also think its important to post when a problem is fixed as it saves other people posting the same thing again.