Everytime I run in a hole with my '97 XK8, I hear a clang somewhere behind the left rear wheel, as if a piece of metal was unscrewed somewhere. I went Under the car several times, tried several things, but unpossible to find the cause. I found nothing moving, nothing unsrewed, and I was unable to make the clang happen by slpping here or there.
Has anybody an idea ?

 

Check to see that nothing is loose in the spare tire well and trunk.

 

Also check the handbrake cable for 'looseness'.
A slack cable will allow the brake shoe assy to rattle.

The threaded rod for the brake cable can be adjusted to eliminate 'slack'.

You can 'pluck' the cable to test for the noise and 'slack'.

bob gauff

 

Thank for answers. The trunk and spare Wheel were my first investigations, but it was not there. I will try with the handbrake cable.

 

Our UK MoT (annual safety inspection) Test Stations have a piece of equipment which deliberately 'kicks' the suspension to check for wear in bushes, bearings and linkages. It's very similar to driving into a pothole and makes me cringe when they use it!

Do USA test stations use anything similar? If so, its a good way of replicating the effect you can hear when you run into a hole but with the vehicle stationary giving you a chance to isolate the source/cause.

Graham

 

Compared to what I have heard about the MoT, many US safety inspections are the equivalent of a medical exam where the doctor looks you over and jabs you in a couple of places and then immediately says you look fine to me. In many states, repair shops and service stations employ an inspector and you do not need to go to a government test station. Many other states do not require any safety inspection.

 

It's amazing when Nader had such an effect on vehicle design and the World motor manufacturing emission standards are driven by California EPA regulations that USA safety inspection standards can be so different from Europe.

Graham

 

Here in North Carolina the inspection station plugs into your OBDII port, checks idle speed, emission contents, lights, horn, wiper blades, and tire tread depth. They may or may not take a quick peek at your brake pads and fluids. Then they extract $30 from your wallet and send you on your way. You're typically in and out in ten to fifteen minutes if you're first in line when they open in the morning....

 

In Virginia it is lights, horn, wipers, seat belts, and a visual on brakes, tires and exhaust for $16 annually. If they are feeling ambitious they might take a quick look at the suspension. Last time they told me the brake line on my 27 year old Jeep was rusty (it was actually the fuel line) but passed it anyway.

Every 2nd year we have to have an emissions inspection which is pretty much automated on late model cars through the OBDII port for an additional $28.

 

In Hawaii you walk in, greet your buddy the inspector with "ehh how's zit braaaaaa" " I like one stika " you Sit around and talk story for awhile, pay your $30 and be on your way.

 

Check out the metal backing plate on your disk brake, it may be close enough to kiss your disk when you hit a bump. It will ring like a bell, may be your "clang".

Steve

 

Also the spring mount on the back of the rear inner brake pad comes off leaving the pad free to rattle and clang on bumps.

 

Problem solved: it was due to the upper rear shock bushings. I had them replaced, and nox everything is ok.

 

I have the same problem and it's getting worse with every bump, even very low speed 'speed humps' in parking lots, so I know it's suspension related. Shock bushings sound about right. Adding it to the list... thanks!

 

Yes, it is exactly the symptoms I had. And, belive me, it is so goos to have again a quiet riding ! The parts are not expensive (less than $100), but there is a good deal of work... dépends on your mehanic.