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I can hear you knocking

Posted By : Judith Partridge, 07-Dec-2002, 10:22pm

You all know how a knocking can drive you potty, well I am potty.

I aquired my 13/60 convertible 15 months ago. When I had it I was told that it had been in a lock up since 1980 and a tax disc in the glove box confirmed that might be the case. I had from a garage with a full MOT certificate. There has always been a knocking on the nearside rear. We have replaced the diff, the drive shaft, the half shafts, and all the universal joints.

Has anyone any further ideas about the knock?

Followups :

I can hear you knocking

Posted By : William Davies, 07-Dec-2002, 11:25pm

The usual cause (post UJ change) is that the halfshaft UJ's are set loose just like those on the propshaft. This allows a degree of endfloat so the UJ knocks as it moves along each axis. You will never detect this with the halfshaft on the car, but if removed you will usually find that the UJ moves too freely - it's movement should feel quite stiff but smooth. Circlips in several different thicknesses to adjust the UJs are available from myself and all other Herald specialists. Buy a few of each size and change them one at a time until the UJ feels sufficiently tight.
Cheers,
Bill Davies.
- I can hear you knocking
  
  Posted By : Judith Partridge, 13-Dec-2002, 01:20pm
  
  Thanks for your reply. If they are loose does that mean they will wear quicker?
  
  Regards
  
  Judith
  - I can hear you knocking
    
    Posted By : William Davies, 13-Dec-2002, 05:33pm
    
    I would presume that they would wear quicker as they are moving in an axial plane while the UJ is designed to move in radial planes. There is also the possibilty that the potential for movement of the bearing cup within the yoke could lead to premature wear of the yoke, ultimately much more expensive than a simple UJ swap so certainly worth putting right sooner rather than later,
    Cheers,
    Bill Davies.
    - I can hear you knocking
      
      Posted By : Matthew Holland, 14-Dec-2002, 12:53pm
      
      I had this very same problem on my 1200. I replaced the UJ and it continued. I discovered that the wear was in the halfshalf (pants!) and that the drive flange was perfect.
      I am planning on just leaving it for the time being and replacing the whole halfshaft if it gets really noisey.
      
      P.S. Has anyone ever used one of those hub pullers the club sell? Also, if you need a puller to pull the hub apart, do you need a press to put it back again?
      
      Cheers....... Matt.
      
      (coo! long post *gets breath back*)
      - I can hear you knocking
        
        Posted By : William Davies, 19-Dec-2002, 11:31pm
        
        I've not used the club's hub puller as I have access to the original Churchill tool which is a heavily engineered beast! You don't need a press to re-fit the hub as it sits on a taper. It's good practice to re-tighten the hub nuts several times once the car is back in use,
        Cheers,
        Bill Davies.
      - Upgrades
        
        Posted By : Judith Partridge, 23-Jan-2003, 09:06pm
        
        Hello it is me again. More info please, will anyone please post information on upgrading from a dynamo to an alternater. Is there a kit and is it difficult to do. Also any good tips on ungrading brake system as Amelia keeps taking air into the system. Again any kits that are tried and tested.
        
        Upgrades
        
        Posted By : Matthew Holland, 24-Jan-2003, 07:49am
        
        Hi there.
        
        Rimmers do an alternator conversion kit
        
        http://www.rimmerbros.co.uk/herald/26c.htx
        
        I have used it on my Herald and was pleased with it apart from the fact that I think the pulley is too big (and therefore not spinning it fast enough)and the instructions leave a bit to be desired. However it's a very convenient way of getting all the bits you need.
        
        As for your braking problem, I know not of any upgrades that would be of any help with your current problem. Provided you have discs on the front, the herald braking system is fine (unless you've got a big engine or other perfomance mods that is).
        
        Perhaps you have a leaky union somewhere, or maybe your master cylinder is past it's best?
        
        Matt
        
        Upgrades
        
        Posted By : Jaimie Watts, 24-Jan-2003, 12:01pm
        
        If I was you I wouldn't bother with the Rimmers option, a few years back in "The Courier", there was an article on how to do a conversion, if I can find the issue no I will let you know, failing that you could contact the TSSC and ask if they know. I did the conversion on my 13/60, it took about an hour and worked fine, all you realy need is an alternator which you can get readily from a breakers, as the type needed fits a variety of cars, i.e, Metros.
        
        Upgrades
        
        Posted By : Judith Partridge, 28-Jan-2003, 10:45pm
        
        Thanks for the info both of you. Much appreciated.