Nissan Safari - Clunking Noise

[XJCrawler]

Morning ORE,

Have an odd noise that I can feel vibrate on the floor. It only seems to happen when I'm braking or taking off from naught. The best way to describe the noise is a CV, very similar to cars you hear turning with a worn CV. I haven't had a chance to have a good look underneath, but it has gradually gotten worse. I assumed it was a rock/large stone stuck in there somewhere rolling round, but not certain? Anyone experienced a similar issue and found it to be something mechanical?

Vehicle is a 1990 Nissan Safari SWB - Non Turbo.

Any suggestions and help is appreciated.



Thanks,


James.

[kbushnz]

The first thing that comes to my mind cause you say its on take off or braking is the trailing arm bushes are worn where it attaches to the chassis...
And its rattling in the hole....
That's my guess...
Could be a loose shock mount, but it would do it anytime you hit a bump...
I wouldn't leave it too long... as it could be a bolt coming out somewhere..
Or a bush collapsing..
Stones in the brakes tend to rattle anytime you are moving...

[Ralfie]

similar situation a few years back. Thought it was a CV so pulled it out on the track only to find it OK but noticed that one of the chassis bushes for the front arm was completely missing during disassembly.
I would be checking all your bushes.

[XJCrawler]

Awesome, thanks for the help. Will investigate tonight.

Thanks again, much appreciated.

[XJCrawler]

Actually while we are on the subject of bushings. Where can I get a full set of polyurethane bushings in the Christchurch region?


Cheers

[datsunsafari]

beware of poly bushes if your planning on useing offroad they are more suited for road use,the longest iv had them last is 6months,rubber are softer,flex better and last a lot longer.cheers craig

[Dirtydog]

+2 on the rubber bushings, replaced my ones on the terrano and only took 3 months for them to split and fark themselves.

Genuine ones a built better too.

[nismo26]

Could be the radius arm bushes or the body mounts or the spot welds in the floor can break and knock.

[skidmark]

one too cheack if you dont find anything else, is ive heard of the rubber pads the springs sit on rub through causeing a knock aswell

[imsohi]

Actually while we are on the subject of bushings. Where can I get a full set of polyurethane bushings in the Christchurch region?


Cheers

X3 on getting genuine bushes and if you dont mind mix matching vehicles get geunine toyota 80series ones fit in the front not sure about the rear will last alot longer that nissan equivalnt.

[XJCrawler]

So an update to the noise. The noise lasted for approx. a week, I checked as much as I could without unbolting anything to do with the suspension to check the bushings, everything is nice and tight. Furthermore to the issue I have found my swivel hubs to be leaking, so possibly the axle seals have gone, but doesn't explain the noise.

I have since ordered a swivel hub rebuilt kit and a new japanese outer cv.

The noise worsened from original post and started to mostly do it when cornering, BUT it has randomly stopped, and has done so for the last couple of days. (assumed CV, but unsual that it could come right by itself).

Could be one of those mysterious truck things and just have to wait and see what happens. Checking front diff oil this weekend to see if it has come down before I proceed replacing parts with my swivel hub kit.

[crazyclark31]

could be a cracked body mount or just loose body mounts. They wear around the rubbers then just rub and move on crush tubes. My shorty did that for ages and drove me nuts. It turn out to have a split seam under passenger foot well.Smacked it tight witha big hammer and it went away. My lwb does it as the front rubbers are worn around the mounts.

[gary_in_nz]

get someone to sit in the drivers seat with the truck running and turn the wheel from lock to lock, see if it clunks, i just did the panard rod bushes in my one which were totally stuffed which made it all clunky, but chances are will be some bushes worn. do you have a front sway bar on it?

[DaveM]

My latest mystery clunk on the safari ended up being a loose radius arm bolt at the diff end.

[XJCrawler]

get someone to sit in the drivers seat with the truck running and turn the wheel from lock to lock, see if it clunks, i just did the panard rod bushes in my one which were totally stuffed which made it all clunky, but chances are will be some bushes worn. do you have a front sway bar on it?

No front swaybar, just rear. I'm really determined to find it now, might just have to go over the whole bloody thing thoroughly in the weekend while I'm replacing the axle seals. So many possibilities. Plus I noticed I've got an unsual vibrating noise coming from what sounds to be a similar area to where the clunking was, seems to only do it at certain RPM or the odd bump/hump in the road can trigger it slightly. This is like solving a murder mystery, left trying to look for clues lol