1800: - clunk from rear of car when going through the gears.

Tint · Feb 15th, 2016, 22:17

Hi folks hope we all fine and well.
Just purchased a '68 P1800 B20.
Couple of mechanical issues that I was hoping for a little direction as to the cause.

Setting off through gears there is a mechanical audible clunk from rear of car seems louder and more pronounced when car first driven. Other than this gear change is faultless.
Also noticed when set off feels like car wiggles slightly from side to side, kinda barge like wiggle.
As this is my first ownership got nothing to compare how she drives to know if I actually have a problem.

Any advice or thoughts would be much appreciated.
Thank you
Take care
Steve

Derek UK · Feb 15th, 2016, 23:13

First check for me would be the rear U/J. If you can get the car up on a lift in a garage it will save you a lot of time. A friendly one will check it out quickly for a small donation to their coffee fund, maybe. Check prop shaft front to back including the centre bearing mounting rubber. Splits here can be hidden so check carefully. Get a pry bar against all of the various bushings in the rear suspension. Bad ones will be obvious and probably shouldn't have passed an MOT but some testers are surprisingly lenient with these bushes.

guitarman · Feb 16th, 2016, 00:17

The side to side wiggle you mention sounds like the bushes are shot on one of your rear axle links; one of your rear wheels is at least partially free to move forwards and back in the wheel arch.

JP 1800 · Feb 16th, 2016, 12:20

As mentioned check the torque rod and other swing arm bushes. I have seen this plenty of times, the clunking sound gives the impression as if the rear seat is loose or the rear shelf is banging around but in most cases is caused by rear axle bushings.

Tint · Feb 16th, 2016, 12:44

Many thanks gents for getting back to me,
Will have a better investigation now I am a little more informed.
Really looking forward to slowly one by one sorting her little niggles out.
Seem to spend most of my time finding any excuse to visit the garage and admire the car '',)
Again thank you will be sure to post how I get on.

Feb 15th, 2016, 22:17	#1
Tint Member Last Online: Apr 16th, 2024 02:23 Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Blackpool	clunk from rear of car when going through the gears. Hi folks hope we all fine and well. Just purchased a '68 P1800 B20. Couple of mechanical issues that I was hoping for a little direction as to the cause. Setting off through gears there is a mechanical audible clunk from rear of car seems louder and more pronounced when car first driven. Other than this gear change is faultless. Also noticed when set off feels like car wiggles slightly from side to side, kinda barge like wiggle. As this is my first ownership got nothing to compare how she drives to know if I actually have a problem. Any advice or thoughts would be much appreciated. Thank you Take care Steve

Feb 16th, 2016, 00:17	#3
guitarman Senior Member Last Online: Apr 28th, 2022 14:29 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Stroud	The side to side wiggle you mention sounds like the bushes are shot on one of your rear axle links; one of your rear wheels is at least partially free to move forwards and back in the wheel arch. __________________ 1973 Volvo 164. 1972 Saab 96 1988 Benz W124 230E 2012 VW Transporter T5 LWB

Feb 15th, 2016, 23:13	#2
Derek UK VOC Member Last Online: Today 12:14 Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Chatham	First check for me would be the rear U/J. If you can get the car up on a lift in a garage it will save you a lot of time. A friendly one will check it out quickly for a small donation to their coffee fund, maybe. Check prop shaft front to back including the centre bearing mounting rubber. Splits here can be hidden so check carefully. Get a pry bar against all of the various bushings in the rear suspension. Bad ones will be obvious and probably shouldn't have passed an MOT but some testers are surprisingly lenient with these bushes.

Feb 16th, 2016, 12:20	#4
JP 1800 Master Member Last Online: May 5th, 2024 08:41 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Dublin	As mentioned check the torque rod and other swing arm bushes. I have seen this plenty of times, the clunking sound gives the impression as if the rear seat is loose or the rear shelf is banging around but in most cases is caused by rear axle bushings.

Feb 16th, 2016, 12:44	#5
Tint Member Last Online: Apr 16th, 2024 02:23 Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Blackpool	Many thanks gents for getting back to me, Will have a better investigation now I am a little more informed. Really looking forward to slowly one by one sorting her little niggles out. Seem to spend most of my time finding any excuse to visit the garage and admire the car '',) Again thank you will be sure to post how I get on.

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