Weird knocking with new (to me) '85

[jasonseannn]

Two weeks ago me and my gf picked up an 85 Westy with the Subaru engine swap. We drove it down from Seattle to CA, ran fine, yet randomly last week we were driving it in the mountains and we started to here a faint knock.
Knock only occurs under a few conditions: low rpms, any bit of throttle (no knock when off throttle), seems to not fluctuate with RPMS, and it is most noticeable in turns (only with throttle applied though).
Also, the temperature sensor stopped working (actually reads nothing while moving, then creeps up a bit when stopped) about midway through our trip (which I've heard is common) and the red light has been blinking. When I first noticed I pulled over, checked all my fluids, and get a close eye on it the rest of the way. Fluids haven't changed, enginge doesn't appear to be overheating. Idk what's up

[hdenter]

We'll, I'm no expert on suby swaps and can't speak about the temp gauge. But the knock sounds like it could be a CV joint beginning to fail.

Hans
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'79 triple white convertible bug
'84 sunroof vanagon
'85 weekender

[Bills85Westy]

It certainly sounds like a failing CV joint. Especially as it's most noticeable in turns and under throttle. Have you inspected the CVs?
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89 Tristar Syncro Doka - White
85 Westfalia Syncro (conversion)
SAH 1.8T Conversion - 2005 AWP
Engine Conversion Thread: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=612144&highlight=
85 Doka L345 Grey - 1.9L

[jasonseannn]

[E1]

The sound of a CV failing is a definite click-click-click, for me it's been when under load like up a hill at low to medium rpm, and/or when turning to one side or another.

The very same sound occurs when simply low on grease.

Get under there and try to rotate both halfshafts (axles) and if one's failing you'll likely notice one has more rotational slop than the other. I do believe -- and to everyone, correct me if wrong -- that there should be no or very minimal slop.
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1984 Westfailure/2.1 Digijet/5.43 Ring & Pinion/Peloquin/D-rated BFG KO2s
AI has spoken to further illiteracy, to steal, to cheat, and to replace humans

"Adding power makes you faster on the straights.
Subtracting weight makes you faster everywhere." — Colin Chapman

[IdahoDoug]

It's difficult when presented with a gritty, grease covered CV joint boot over the joint to knowledgeably "feel" if its worn. The difference between acceptable wear and problematic levels is thousands of an inch. I'm not saying that it is impossible, just that you should have done it dozens of times to get a baseline feel, etc. Perhaps if the wheel is in the air you can quickly rotate back and forth and feel the slack that way?

Anyhow, the only way to check is to look at it. If the boot is old, cracked or torn and the vehicle is unknown the only meaningful thing to do is pull the shafts and regrease them and put on new boots. You can inspect while its apart and clean.

One helpful thing would be to use a needle grease gun and slip the tip under one edge and pump a quarter cup of fresh grease in and massage it through the joint with the boot. Squeeze gently and you can feel what you're doing.

If that stops it you may have merely had the joint getting dry and this will help for a while until you have time to properly remove and clean it.

Doug
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1987 2WD Wolfsburg Vanagon Weekender "Mango", two fully locked 80 Series LandCruisers. 2017 Subaru Outback boxer. 1990 Audi 90 Quattro 20V with rear locking differential, 1990 burgundy parts Vanagon. 1984 Porsche 944, 1993 Toyota LandCruiser, 2002 BMW 325iX, 1982 Toyota Sunrader

[E1]

To clarify, I meant get under the van -- not the boot -- and grab each axle in the middle to see if they each have similar rotational movement.

Is there a known amount of acceptable slop? It seems I've heard 1/16" but am not sure about that.
_________________
1984 Westfailure/2.1 Digijet/5.43 Ring & Pinion/Peloquin/D-rated BFG KO2s
AI has spoken to further illiteracy, to steal, to cheat, and to replace humans

"Adding power makes you faster on the straights.
Subtracting weight makes you faster everywhere." — Colin Chapman

[jasonseannn]

[Abscate]

[E1]

Thanks Abscate, good to know.

Can you clarify what "cm" is?
_________________
1984 Westfailure/2.1 Digijet/5.43 Ring & Pinion/Peloquin/D-rated BFG KO2s
AI has spoken to further illiteracy, to steal, to cheat, and to replace humans

"Adding power makes you faster on the straights.
Subtracting weight makes you faster everywhere." — Colin Chapman

[Mellow Yellow 74]

[E1]

Knew that, but it didn't read that way to me.
_________________
1984 Westfailure/2.1 Digijet/5.43 Ring & Pinion/Peloquin/D-rated BFG KO2s
AI has spoken to further illiteracy, to steal, to cheat, and to replace humans

"Adding power makes you faster on the straights.
Subtracting weight makes you faster everywhere." — Colin Chapman

[Wildthings]

Old joints will almost always have a small amount of rotational slop. This doesn't necessarily mean the joint is on its last legs. A joint that is making noise needs to be inspected, but if out on the road I would just pump extra grease in in the hope of quieting the joint up until I can get home.

You can also move the boots around and try to force the axle to ride in a slightly different position. Lets say that the left axle is making noise, then slide the small ends of both boots on the left axle to the left about one to one and a half inches. This will force the axle maybe 1/2 to the right and cause the balls to ride on a difference surface. Most of the time this will cause the noise to go away, but can make it worse. Easy to undo though if it does make it worse, just reverse what you have done.

With a long grease needle you can get the grease right between the balls of the CV joint, so no massaging of the boot to force the grease into the joint is necessary.

[mikemtnbike]

OP, this article explains in exhaustive detail.

http://www.van-cafe.com/cv-joint-maintenence

Isn't the traditional method to test for CV joint noise driving full steering wheel rotation 360s and listen? That's what I do/did and it did highlight a past issue. And it's fun anyway.
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1991 Vanagon GL 2.1 AT Westfauxlia. "Frankie" Totaled https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=764510&highlight=carnage
1995 Eurovan Camper "Marzivan"
2020 GTI SE manual

[jasonseannn]

Thanks everyone! I meant to crawl under tonight but got held up at work. I'll get under there soon and take a look. Just for curiosity sake, how long do I have if they are already making noise? I'm hoping to repair it at my house, but my Father has a car lift but he's about an hour up the mountain from me. Not worth it?

[E1]

[Wildthings]

[Wildthings]

[E1]

[buspor63]