Talk Morgan Forums Community Welcome Forum Rear end noise

Can't sort this one - 1987 4/4 with 142000 on the clock but runs well, new rear springs from Mike Duncan about 5 years ago, rear shocks, etc - when I hit a bump there is a sound like a pheasant being strangled from the back of the car. Thought it was the usual exhaust problem but it's not. Seems to happen when one rear wheel hits the bump first and the sound seems to travel laterally. Done the usual things - checking tightness of bolts, rigidity of petrol tank, state of frame and chassis but to no avail. Sounds like metal against metal. Driving me mad.........(Mike Duncan can't sort it either!)

Could it be Dry or Dirty Leaf Springs or Dodgey / Loose Spring Mountings. Horizontal movement as springs shuffle.

Perhaps the spring leaves need some sort of lubrication.

Doesn't sound like springs but try motorcycle chain lube anyway. Comes in a spray can goes on like wd40 so it penetrates and then evaporates to leave a deposit of grease. It works pretty well with leaf springs.

Dave

Thanks guys - not the springs, they're soaked in oil and all the bolts and U clamps are tight. I can't see anything wrong under the car - no sign of metal against metal, loose petrol tank, etc. A complete mystery.

Have you tried running with the rear cover removed?
The propshaft gets very close to the tunnel at the rear - is it catching?

Could it be the hood stays?

thanks Dave/John - no, not prop shaft nor hood stays, it sounds low down and seems only to occur if one rear wheel hits a bump first. Doesn't sound serious but is irritating. I wondered about slackening off the bolts holding the rear springs and then re-tightening. Problem is that nothing seems wrong when examining with an inspection lamp. Oh well!

John, have you checked that the rear tyre is not making contact with the exhaust? A recent crawl under my Plus 8 revealed lots of melted rubber on one of the tail pipes. It was not in contact when the car was stationary but must have moved under certain conditions. I had not experienced any noise but it could well be a potential source, it's probably worth a quick look.

Could your rear axle be moving/sliding sideways in the U Bolts? Maybe needs a Pair of Mulfab anti tramp bars fitting, or just new U Bolts. Worth Checking the distances at each wheel arch.

I'm afraid, this won't be of any help for you. On my Moggie, noises come and and go... A rattle here, a squeak there... Usually they disappear, before I'm able to find out where they came from. I guess, it has something to do with temperature and humidity.

Sunny greetings from rainy Luxembourg,
Ivo