Heat shields?

hunta

Member
Messages
405
Excuse my ignorance... Looking for advice on what these two shields (?) are visible through the rear mesh of my GS. The left one is noticeably lower and moves fairly easily, so could well be responsible for the mystery rear end noise over bumps. I can't get under the car to take a proper look and the Eurospares diagrams haven't yielded anything thus far.

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CatmanV2

Member
Messages
48,541
Heat shields indeed. Very light so not hugely likely to make much noise. Should be fixed quite solidly but prone to damage and flexing

C
 

Zep

Moderator
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9,110
As Catman says, heat shield. What sort of noise are the talking? A clunk or something a bit lighter? Could be the track control link bearings, they were done on yours at 44k miles but they are just a pressed in spherical bearing and do wear.
 

hunta

Member
Messages
405
Not very descriptive I know but I'd say a light clunk. Most noticeable at low speed on poor B roads, sounds like there's way more clunking than there are holes in the road. I'd have said offside rather than near, but these things can be deceptive.

Zep, you'd be appalled at the low miles it's done of late so not impossible that you might have heard the beginnings if it's a wear thing.
 

FIFTY

Member
Messages
3,100
I noticed a couple of the heat shields on mine had worked their way off the fixings somehow under mine when I was installing GS backboxes and valve controller, I repaired the mountings during the process.

The clonking can also be rear ARB bushes which are of course pretty much inaccessible
 

safrane

Member
Messages
16,747
Or the knuckle in the bottom wishbone. Check for any slight movement at the 11:20 position.
 

Gp79

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1,393
A33E756C-E099-4A3C-AB75-85957F3AFE2F.jpeg
The heat shield you have high lighted is all one piece and quite light, so in likely to make a clonk.
The securing points open up with age so it has probably just dropped from the retaining studs.
Clonks are probably more suspension related
 
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Zep

Moderator
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9,110
Not very descriptive I know but I'd say a light clunk. Most noticeable at low speed on poor B roads, sounds like there's way more clunking than there are holes in the road. I'd have said offside rather than near, but these things can be deceptive.

Zep, you'd be appalled at the low miles it's done of late so not impossible that you might have heard the beginnings if it's a wear thing.

There was sometimes a small clunk if it had been sat for a long time, only once and only on the transverse ridge at the end of my drive. I have (and had) it checked over every time it was up in the air and we could never find anything. Happy to come and have a listen if it would help?
 

hunta

Member
Messages
405
Happy to come and have a listen if it would help?

Very kind offer Zep, thank you. I thought carefully about how to word my post - didn't want you to feel any obligation, just curious how long it had been going on and whether you could shed any light - so certainly don't feel you should.

That said it would always be a pleasure and help is gratefully received if you happen to fancy a spin out this way.

It's due an MOT in January and I'm in two minds whether to declare it SORN to get back to a more convenient time of year to do it, or to get it done and have a specialist to give it a look over now.
 

hunta

Member
Messages
405
I did some further testing this afternoon. Definitely more prevalent at low speeds, say 20-30mph, and I think I'd err towards a low rattle rather than a clunk. Also I'm inclined to think it's more apparent in 'family' mode (i.e. SPORT disabled).
 

Oneball

Member
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11,071
I’m right in saying going into sport on a GS opens an exhaust flap? If so and it makes a difference then I’d suggest it’s the flap rattling.
 

Zep

Moderator
Messages
9,110
I did some further testing this afternoon. Definitely more prevalent at low speeds, say 20-30mph, and I think I'd err towards a low rattle rather than a clunk. Also I'm inclined to think it's more apparent in 'family' mode (i.e. SPORT disabled).

Ah, a rattle. I did have this with one set of brake pads, i think they were ratting in the callipers. You have OEM pads so it is unlikely to be that. I rattle rules out suspension parts from my point of view.

I will be in your neck of the woods on Friday so I will give you a call and see if we can have a listen.
 

hunta

Member
Messages
405
To close this out, the car spent the week at Emblem this week (top job, worthy of all the accolades they get round here). New lower suspension arm (ball joint) and anti-roll bar bushes, plus some fettling of brake pads, heat shield and undertray and I'm pleased to say all rattles and clonks are gone.

I now have a low speed creak however! Presumably the new ARB bushes?