Recently brought VL from my brother and has intermitent ringing when driving.

[jdl6666]

Hey Fellas,

New to the VL scene here but not to this forum. Used to own a VS but now stuck with an old VL.

Anyhow, just over a week ago I was given my younger brothers hooned out VL. He got rid of it because it was leaking trans fluid at the back of the box like a siv. Anyway, I ended up changing the gearbox to an excellent one out of an 89' skyline "also replaced the front and rear oil sleals and replaced the filter before putting it in". Now i'm not sure what's going on, but every now and then I get an intermittent ringing when it's driving. Almost sounds like there's some wire or something hitting the driveshaft, but sounds like it's coming from the passenger-side front. Had it up on the ramps a couple of times bit can't seem to see anything that's causing any interference under the car. I've jiggled the exhaust and can hear some stuff rattling about inside the catalytic converted. Just wondering if it maybe that. Only other think that i'm thinking is that it may have something to do with the braking on that side. Other than that i'm totally lost?

Wonder if anyone would happen to know what that noise would be and if it's a common problem with this model.

Cheers!
Jim.

[harry3]

some disc pads have a wire scraper that makes a similar noise when it rubs against the rotor, indicating that the pads need renewing
this should only happen when braking, these scrapers may or may not be on all your rotors though
otherwise something may be hitting a shock absorber top cover, these can ring like a bell

good luck

[87RB30VL]

I've never had that sort of trouble with mine, try taking a video or audio recording of it and post it up on here for a better response. I remember one of my rubber rings that hold the exhaust up had snapped, causing the exhaust to vibrate on the underside of the car, but since it's front passenger, that seems unlikely.

It could be the cat internals, but I don't know what it sounds like when the inside of a cat breaks apart, wouldn't really expect to hear the sound you're describing from it, though.
Maybe take it to a mechanic you're popular with who might be able to look it over for free or cheap.

Hope you find out!

[jdl6666]

some disc pads have a wire scraper that makes a similar noise when it rubs against the rotor, indicating that the pads need renewing
this should only happen when braking, these scrapers may or may not be on all your rotors though
otherwise something may be hitting a shock absorber top cover, these can ring like a bell

good luck

Cheers Harry3,
Yeah, my misses has a Honda Civic 05' model, and when the pads are low they will start making a metal like rattling sound. I haven't yet had a chance to have a good at the front braking system, but I'm thinking that would be a great place to start and will take the tyre off and have a good look over the next few days.

And yeah, the shock absorber top cover could be another possibility. The only other thing that I've thought that it could be is maybe a front wheel bearing on the passenger side? Wierdly enough the noise is most prominent when I throttle the car when driving on the road. The faster I drive, the noisier it gets! There's no noise at all when stationary. It kind of sounds like there's coat hanger wire wrapped around the driveshaft, but it's most definately not that as I've now checked half a dozen times and sounds like all the noise is coming from the passenger side.

I will take a film on my phone over the next couple of days to describe the noise. Not sure how it'll work out, but will give it a go!

Cheers mate!
Jim

[jdl6666]

I've never had that sort of trouble with mine, try taking a video or audio recording of it and post it up on here for a better response. I remember one of my rubber rings that hold the exhaust up had snapped, causing the exhaust to vibrate on the underside of the car, but since it's front passenger, that seems unlikely.

It could be the cat internals, but I don't know what it sounds like when the inside of a cat breaks apart, wouldn't really expect to hear the sound you're describing from it, though.
Maybe take it to a mechanic you're popular with who might be able to look it over for free or cheap.

Hope you find out!

Thanks for your reply 87RB30VL,

I'll see if I can do a film tomorrow and take it from there. I'll also remove the front tyre on that side and have a good look at the rotor. From what I can tell the rotor itself looks to be in good order, but I guess that doesn't discount the possibility that something could be lodged behind the rotor or in the guts of the brake caliper. As far as the exhaust system goes, I'm waiting on a brand new set of hi-tech headers, catalytic converter and 2-1/2" redback performance exhaust with all new rubbers and gaskets. So I'm thinking if it is the cat "which is possible, as when I rattle it, I can hear stuff moving around in there", the problem might go away! I've also got a set of finned front brake calipers that I'm going to put new seal kits into soon and install brand new brake pads, so if that's the issue then it will be solved. Only other thing that it might be is a possible wheel bearing, or maybe even something stuck behind the flex plate. I haven't actually got a lower cover plate for it, so that may be a possibility also.

Cheers mate!
Jim

[jdl6666]

Thanks for your replies fellas,

Has definately given me some food for thought, and I'll keep investigating until I find the problem.

[detox_nath83]

That piece on the pads is called the. "screamer tab"

Is this described sound like a harmonic sound...? Could b centre bearing

[jdl6666]

Not too sure how to describe it, but it doesn't make the noise all the time. Just seems to do it more often when i'm steering towards the right.

Cheers!
Jim.