Strange Clicking Noises - Land Rovers Only

LRV8 · 06-23-2006, 02:22 PM

Hi all. I have a problem with my Discovery SII and need help. The Discovery is a 1999 3.9l and has done approx 83,000km fitted with ACE and airbags. I noticed that when driving I hear this clicking noise coming anywhere from under the drivers seat to the firewall somewhere. It's a bit hard to try and track down the noise when driving. The sound is similar to the sound of your CV joints going click, click, click when turning, I know it's not this because everytime I turn nothing can be heard. I took it back to my dealer and they told me that because the car is fitted with ACE, then it's normal as the air is regulating through the pumps into the airbags and the clicking noise that can be heard is the air being purged. I though it sounds strange. This only happens when I am driving and not sure whether it is this or the gear box??. The car has and is service on a regular basis. Should I also try and book it into the dealer for a dianogstics test.

Any suggestions on what this might be.

Disco Mike · 06-23-2006, 03:40 PM

First off, are you sure your 99D2 has a 3.9, mine has a 4.0, or is that a down under thing?
I have a 99D2 with ACE and SLS, so I can compare mine to yours. First, the ACE make no air noise, it is hydralic to both rams. The Ace is known to make a pump noise, but it is not a clicking sound, it is more of a whirring sound. By the way, when was the last time your Ace was serviced??
The SLS make no noise at all either while driving or sitting still other then sometimes letting out a little burp of air as it resets itself.
All that being said, can you better describe the noise, when you hear it, any speed, smooth or rough roads?
Mike

LRV8 · 06-23-2006, 10:03 PM

Hi Mike, thanks for the reply. I would tend to agree with you in saying that it is a 4.0l don't know where I got 3.9 from. With regard to when the ACE was last serviced,not sure, but looking through the service book the last service was in June 05, so another one is due. However the service was not done by Land Rover only an authorised mechanic, so they would not be aware of the ACE.
I notice the noise qutie heavy on first start up when driving. Driving varies from slow speed 40km/h to anywhere around 80 km/h (sorry not sure on the MPH figures). Driving is done on smooth road. Having taken into consideration what you have said, it does sound mechanical. I can steer OK slight whirring noises, but you have already covered that, turning is OK as well. Like I said before I can really hear it coming from under the drivers seat (RHD). By opening the window to try and pin point where the noise is coming from I can only say somewhere around the firewall or just in the engine bay. Something in the back of my mind thinks it might be the pump for the airbags not sure though. Would a Dianogstic test pick this up??
I hope this help. Let me know if you wouls like anything extra.

Andy

Disco Mike · 06-24-2006, 07:33 AM

Andy,
Look at your ACE oil, if it is not bright red and it smells burned get back to me and I will tell you how to change it, very few shops do it and this will cause you some problems down the road. As for the power steering noise, try changing out your fluid, see if you can find some Vavoline synthetic fluid and 1 bottle of Lucas power steering additive, this will make a hugh difference.
As for the noise, got an idea. Look at the front drive shaft where it hooks to the t/case, you have a double cardon set of joints instead of one joint, do they have grease fittings in them? The reason I am asking is, they are prone to failing and usually taking the transmission with it. If yours does not have the grease fittings, change it out ASAP to new u-joints with grease fittings, zerks. This may or maynot be your noise, but is it something to watch because of the damage that will come from it.
As for noise coming under the drivers seat area on a R.H. vehicle, the only thing down there is a box containing the control valves for your ACE, and I don't think they can make any noise.
Hope this helps.
Mike

LRV8 · 06-24-2006, 02:33 PM

Thanks Mike. I will let you know and get back to you.

Rovin4life · 06-24-2006, 03:31 PM

I have seen slightly loose bolts on the steering box and other suspension parts causing the noise but that was from leaking boxes and the vehicle took a hit causing the bolts to loosen up.

Any vibration at all.

6cuda6 · 06-24-2006, 09:12 PM

Andy, i'm going to go out on a lim here but you may have a nail or a screw in the front tire [possibly the back but you said it sounds like front area]....if you do it will sound like a click everytime it hits the pavement...does it change with speed???

I don't think it's the SRS pump/valves as they are on the left side of the truck and the driver is on the right [in your country anyways]...

Later, Dean

LRV8 · 07-14-2006, 01:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rovin4life

I have seen slightly loose bolts on the steering box and other suspension parts causing the noise but that was from leaking boxes and the vehicle took a hit causing the bolts to loosen up.

Any vibration at all.

Sorry I have taken so long to get back, just returned from holidays. There ain't any vibrations that I can feel, and as for loose bolts etc, I will check these in the next few days, as it's about to rain soon. The noise only happens in drive from 10-80 kmph I have driven it at 100-110 kmph but unable to hear anything, thats not to say that it is still happening. I do notice it alot anywhere between 40-80 kmph. So far it hasn't effected my driving or the cars performance, everything still seems to be running well at this stage. At times when going over bumps I can feel and hear the noise from the suspension, but it doesn't sound like it's coming from there. In the mean time I will have a look at these areas for tightness and see if that works.

LRV8 · 07-14-2006, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Disco Mike

Andy,
Look at your ACE oil, if it is not bright red and it smells burned get back to me and I will tell you how to change it, very few shops do it and this will cause you some problems down the road. As for the power steering noise, try changing out your fluid, see if you can find some Vavoline synthetic fluid and 1 bottle of Lucas power steering additive, this will make a hugh difference.
As for the noise, got an idea. Look at the front drive shaft where it hooks to the t/case, you have a double cardon set of joints instead of one joint, do they have grease fittings in them? The reason I am asking is, they are prone to failing and usually taking the transmission with it. If yours does not have the grease fittings, change it out ASAP to new u-joints with grease fittings, zerks. This may or maynot be your noise, but is it something to watch because of the damage that will come from it.
As for noise coming under the drivers seat area on a R.H. vehicle, the only thing down there is a box containing the control valves for your ACE, and I don't think they can make any noise.
Hope this helps.
Mike

Hi Mike, sorry for not getting back to you earlier, been away on holidays, unfortunately I didn't take the car with me. The ACE oil when looking at it looks kinda clear with green tinge and doesn;t smell burnt either. I'm not sure whether different countries carry different colour fliuds or nor to achieve the same job. However since I did buy it and you mentioned that mechanics don't necesarilary change this, I guess it's about time I do it help on this is appreciated please. I just got to try and find the right brand of fluid as well. What you get over there is different to what we get over here. Is it ok the use power steering fluid.
As for the drive shaft problem, not I don't have any grease nipples. The joints that you are talking about, is it easy to replace by yourself.

Andy

Disco Mike · 07-14-2006, 02:44 PM

Andy, when in doubt on the ACE fluid, you can always buy Rovers special fluid, it is just so dam expensive.
I know a lot of people here in the states the use regular power steering fluid with no problem.
As for the drive shaft, I can go thru a couple of Rover forums today and find stories of the set of u-joints failing, usually taking the t/case or tranny in the process.
I replaced mine at about 36,000 miles and 2 of the 8 bearing cups had bearings that had failed to the point of turning to metal powder and chunks. So when you can, pull the drive shaft and have someon rebuild it using u-joints with grease fittings. While you are under there, put a grease fitting on both drive shaft slip joints that are predrilled and capped. I wouldn't suggest you try to rebuild the jonits, they are a bugger.
Mike

06-23-2006, 02:22 PM	#1 (permalink)
LRV8 Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 5 Gallery: 0	Strange Clicking Noises Hi all. I have a problem with my Discovery SII and need help. The Discovery is a 1999 3.9l and has done approx 83,000km fitted with ACE and airbags. I noticed that when driving I hear this clicking noise coming anywhere from under the drivers seat to the firewall somewhere. It's a bit hard to try and track down the noise when driving. The sound is similar to the sound of your CV joints going click, click, click when turning, I know it's not this because everytime I turn nothing can be heard. I took it back to my dealer and they told me that because the car is fitted with ACE, then it's normal as the air is regulating through the pumps into the airbags and the clicking noise that can be heard is the air being purged. I though it sounds strange. This only happens when I am driving and not sure whether it is this or the gear box??. The car has and is service on a regular basis. Should I also try and book it into the dealer for a dianogstics test. Any suggestions on what this might be.

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06-23-2006, 03:40 PM	#2 (permalink)
Disco Mike Moderator Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Parker, Colorado Posts: 5,785 Gallery: 0	First off, are you sure your 99D2 has a 3.9, mine has a 4.0, or is that a down under thing? I have a 99D2 with ACE and SLS, so I can compare mine to yours. First, the ACE make no air noise, it is hydralic to both rams. The Ace is known to make a pump noise, but it is not a clicking sound, it is more of a whirring sound. By the way, when was the last time your Ace was serviced?? The SLS make no noise at all either while driving or sitting still other then sometimes letting out a little burp of air as it resets itself. All that being said, can you better describe the noise, when you hear it, any speed, smooth or rough roads? Mike

06-23-2006, 10:03 PM	#3 (permalink)
LRV8 Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 5 Gallery: 0	Hi Mike, thanks for the reply. I would tend to agree with you in saying that it is a 4.0l don't know where I got 3.9 from. With regard to when the ACE was last serviced,not sure, but looking through the service book the last service was in June 05, so another one is due. However the service was not done by Land Rover only an authorised mechanic, so they would not be aware of the ACE. I notice the noise qutie heavy on first start up when driving. Driving varies from slow speed 40km/h to anywhere around 80 km/h (sorry not sure on the MPH figures). Driving is done on smooth road. Having taken into consideration what you have said, it does sound mechanical. I can steer OK slight whirring noises, but you have already covered that, turning is OK as well. Like I said before I can really hear it coming from under the drivers seat (RHD). By opening the window to try and pin point where the noise is coming from I can only say somewhere around the firewall or just in the engine bay. Something in the back of my mind thinks it might be the pump for the airbags not sure though. Would a Dianogstic test pick this up?? I hope this help. Let me know if you wouls like anything extra. Andy

06-24-2006, 07:33 AM	#4 (permalink)
Disco Mike Moderator Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Parker, Colorado Posts: 5,785 Gallery: 0	Andy, Look at your ACE oil, if it is not bright red and it smells burned get back to me and I will tell you how to change it, very few shops do it and this will cause you some problems down the road. As for the power steering noise, try changing out your fluid, see if you can find some Vavoline synthetic fluid and 1 bottle of Lucas power steering additive, this will make a hugh difference. As for the noise, got an idea. Look at the front drive shaft where it hooks to the t/case, you have a double cardon set of joints instead of one joint, do they have grease fittings in them? The reason I am asking is, they are prone to failing and usually taking the transmission with it. If yours does not have the grease fittings, change it out ASAP to new u-joints with grease fittings, zerks. This may or maynot be your noise, but is it something to watch because of the damage that will come from it. As for noise coming under the drivers seat area on a R.H. vehicle, the only thing down there is a box containing the control valves for your ACE, and I don't think they can make any noise. Hope this helps. Mike

06-24-2006, 02:33 PM	#5 (permalink)
LRV8 Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 5 Gallery: 0	Thanks Mike. I will let you know and get back to you.

06-24-2006, 03:31 PM	#6 (permalink)
Rovin4life Former NAS LR TECH, Current AUS LR TECH Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: DOWN UNDER Posts: 1,884 Gallery: 0	I have seen slightly loose bolts on the steering box and other suspension parts causing the noise but that was from leaking boxes and the vehicle took a hit causing the bolts to loosen up. Any vibration at all.

06-24-2006, 09:12 PM	#7 (permalink)
6cuda6 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 299 Gallery: 0	Andy, i'm going to go out on a lim here but you may have a nail or a screw in the front tire [possibly the back but you said it sounds like front area]....if you do it will sound like a click everytime it hits the pavement...does it change with speed??? I don't think it's the SRS pump/valves as they are on the left side of the truck and the driver is on the right [in your country anyways]... Later, Dean

07-14-2006, 02:44 PM	#10 (permalink)
Disco Mike Moderator Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Parker, Colorado Posts: 5,785 Gallery: 0	Andy, when in doubt on the ACE fluid, you can always buy Rovers special fluid, it is just so dam expensive. I know a lot of people here in the states the use regular power steering fluid with no problem. As for the drive shaft, I can go thru a couple of Rover forums today and find stories of the set of u-joints failing, usually taking the t/case or tranny in the process. I replaced mine at about 36,000 miles and 2 of the 8 bearing cups had bearings that had failed to the point of turning to metal powder and chunks. So when you can, pull the drive shaft and have someon rebuild it using u-joints with grease fittings. While you are under there, put a grease fitting on both drive shaft slip joints that are predrilled and capped. I wouldn't suggest you try to rebuild the jonits, they are a bugger. Mike

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