3.2 Odd noise when driving.

[liquidkristal]

ok, so I have a Vec C that has started to make a very annoying whump whump whump noise with a slight scraping noise when I am driving, I thought it might have been a tire on wear indicators , but its not that.

The whumping noise is a bit louder if I am turning to the left, I have investigated all the simple things (bearings / warped discs) the bearings all appear to be in order (no play at all either up / down or left / right).

I have taken it to 2 places and they both came to the conclusion that it is a gearbox problem and the box will need to be removed and replaced or reconditioned, there is a minor leak from the gearbox oil plug but the levels have been checked and thats all ok.

Could there be anything else that would cause the noises described as at very low speeds it almost sounds like a brake on with no pad attached like a metallic rubbing noise, there are no problems under breaking, thats true and with no wobble.

[Rapala]

It wont hurt to make sure that the splash shields behind the brake discs are well away from the edges of the discs. I have heard some funny noises caused by them coming into contact with the discs

[liquidkristal]

are there splash shields on the front? (I am pretty sure that the problem is at the front as it get snoticsably louder if I turn left)

to move the splash shields I assume its just a case of remove wheel and bend them away

[Rapala]

Yes and you can get at them with a long screwdiver from under the front of the car without removing the wheels or using a jack. In my case it was the lower edge of the shield that was just making contact with the rusted outer edge of the disc.

[liquidkristal]

I shall try that tomorrow (car is at the office) I guess if the shields are all out of the way then it could well be the gearbox (last place says that they jacked it up and ran it to listen for the grinding noise)

I guess I am wanting it to be anything but the gearbox