New... seein what's occurrin'

[P-Mutton2.2]

Hello all,
Am new to vec ownership pleased with car, has just failed MOT on hand brake and Rear caliper apparently.. only had car a week. 66K on a 53,.. see that handbrakes can be a pain in the but nevermind. strange occasional knocking noise from O/S REAR, bushing or spring, any ideas?

[brifen]

Hi and to the site,

knocking coming from the rear can be a number of things but a few of the common problems are:

Rear Springs - Very very common problem on the Vectras. Vx springs are absolutely rubbish. If you need a new spring then do them all this is one of the best recommended sets of springs LINKY!

ARB - Worn rear anti roll bar bushes can also cause a knocking. Your car is at the age they may well need changing. Worth picking up OEM ones from Vx only a few pounds each.

Rear Upper Control Arms - These are boomerang in shape and again are a pretty common problem. These are £66 each from Vx or you can get them from LMF LINKY!

Shock absorber - Would consider this as a last check as it's unlikely but possible. If you do end up changing springs it is always worth thinking about doing the shocks at the same time. These Blistien B4's are well recommended shocks: Front LINK! Rear LINKY!

It is always worth having a shop around as LMF are not always the cheapest but you do get good service and many people on here use them. Eurocarparts.com is another place to try (or your local motor factor).

Bri.

[Swaite53]

I had a knocking coming from the rear over rougher surfaces and it had less than 20,000 miles on it. It always eased in the wet weather.

It was the shock absorber, but wasn't covered by warranty. I had them both replaced (can't remember price sorry) and it's been fine since (now 70k).

[Shifty]

my siggie started making this annoying knocking noise which got worse and worse, I opened the boot hatch and found there are these two black lugs about 1" across each, one on each side with a hexagonal screw at the top, I tightened these up and it's been fine ever since. might well be worth looking to see if these can be tightened. Push down on the boot and see if it makes the same noise as when you're driving.

[bobby-tupper]

welcome along mate

[P-Mutton2.2]

Cheers chaps.

Thanks for links and help. Excellent links brifen.
Tempted to check out springs and shocks anyway regardless of cause of knocking.
See what garage say about the handbrake/caliper, will remind them about winding back pistons i guess.

[brifen]

my siggie started making this annoying knocking noise which got worse and worse, I opened the boot hatch and found there are these two black lugs about 1" across each, one on each side with a hexagonal screw at the top, I tightened these up and it's been fine ever since. might well be worth looking to see if these can be tightened. Push down on the boot and see if it makes the same noise as when you're driving.

These were the Anti-Rollbar Bushes (ARB).

Bri.

[P-Mutton2.2]

So,.. went for drive with mechanic, then on the ramp, rear rose bushes gone, also rear shocks not so great, (that'd be the floaty feeling at the back) bought eibachs and bilstien shocks all 4 corners, goin in friday so we'll see.
Thanks for help/suggestions.
Car has now failed MOT on handbrake, so not sure abou that, what has that got to do with the rear caliper?,.. hope this is the last of expense for a while, feeling poor.
not sure if this is turning out to be in the right section, sorry if so

[Penfold101]

The handbrake works by using the cable to operate the caliper piston instead of fluid pressure mate - unlike the old Vec B's which had brake shoes on the inside of the discs...

[brifen]

Once you have them new shocks and springs on you'll definately feel the difference. So much stiffer (but not a hard ride) and so much smoother along the road.

That's unlucky about the handbrake what have the garage said you need to have it fixed?

Bri.