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surfbus23 Samba Member
Joined: July 21, 2016 Posts: 382
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Posted: Sat Apr 10, 2021 8:26 am Post subject: Unknown grinding/rubbing noise at speed |
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This is for a 79 Bay Window. Was driving great with no problems and this morning I took it out on the highway and as soon as I hit 30 I started getting a grinding type noise. It's sort of a bzzt bzzt sound.
It's coming from the front of the bus and sounds like it's coming from maybe the steering box?? If I can keep it straight it's less likely to make the noise. If I turn it any little bit left or right it makes the noise. I'm pretty sure it's coming from the left side of the bus.
I jacked up each of the front tires and gave them a shake and they both seem good.
Something that may or may not be a thing/relevant is I think the steering wheel has shifted positions. Where straight ahead used to have both handles at the horizon they are now something like 30 degrees off. It didn't seem to be a problem and was something I was just going to readjust the teeth, but perhaps its related to this. I think this may have just gotten more misaligned, but I can't say for certain.
Any help is greatly appreciate. Thanks! |
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surfbus23 Samba Member
Joined: July 21, 2016 Posts: 382
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Posted: Sat Apr 10, 2021 8:45 am Post subject: Re: Unknown grinding/rubbing noise at speed |
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I'm leaning pretty heavily toward the steering gearbox. I want to put some oil in it, but it's unclear from the Bentley how to do it. Can anyone point me in the right direction?
Edit - Found it here: https://thelatebay.com/index.php?threads/steering-box-oil-level.60294/
Last edited by surfbus23 on Sat Apr 10, 2021 8:48 am; edited 1 time in total |
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pioneer1 Samba Member
Joined: February 11, 2008 Posts: 2067 Location: Ontario Canada
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Posted: Sat Apr 10, 2021 8:45 am Post subject: Re: Unknown grinding/rubbing noise at speed |
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Speedo cable _________________ "Always waiting for tomorrow ruined everything"
'85 Porsche 911 Targa
'76 Westfalia project |
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airschooled Air-Schooled
Joined: April 04, 2012 Posts: 12674 Location: on a bike ride somewhere
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Posted: Sat Apr 10, 2021 9:24 am Post subject: Re: Unknown grinding/rubbing noise at speed |
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pioneer1 wrote: |
Speedo cable |
Yes, on most '79s there would be an EGR light milage counter box contraption behind the driver side kick panel. I don't think the upper and lower cables are available these days, so most people replace the works with a single-piece cable from an early bay.
Good luck,
Robbie _________________ Learn how your vintage VW works. And why it doesn't!
One-on-one tech help for your Volkswagen:
www.airschooled.com |
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surfbus23 Samba Member
Joined: July 21, 2016 Posts: 382
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Posted: Sat Apr 10, 2021 11:04 am Post subject: Re: Unknown grinding/rubbing noise at speed |
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I'm not sure I understand how that cable would be causing this noise? I have a single cable, no contraption. Is there something I should be looking for?
Steering box took about 4oz of oil top it off. Going to take it for a spin but not optimistic. |
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surfbus23 Samba Member
Joined: July 21, 2016 Posts: 382
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Posted: Sat Apr 10, 2021 11:46 am Post subject: Re: Unknown grinding/rubbing noise at speed |
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Was not a problem with the steering box. Noise is kind of an errrr errr if anyone can make sense of that. |
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KentABQ Samba Member
Joined: September 11, 2016 Posts: 2406 Location: Albuquerque NM
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Posted: Sat Apr 10, 2021 11:50 am Post subject: Re: Unknown grinding/rubbing noise at speed |
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Is one of the brake backing plate rubbing? _________________ -Kent-
1976 Riviera, 1.8l FI chrome yellow VAN - "Chloe"
"I must say, how can you be in a bad mood driving this vehicle full of vibrant color.
Cars of today are so bland in comparison. It's like driving a celebration!" ---WildIdea
Bus ownership via emoticons:
---williamM |
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Ceckert64 Samba Member
Joined: September 16, 2015 Posts: 1917 Location: Manitowoc, WI
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mikedjames Samba Member
Joined: July 02, 2012 Posts: 2702 Location: Hamble, Hampshire, UK
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Posted: Sat Apr 10, 2021 12:54 pm Post subject: Re: Unknown grinding/rubbing noise at speed |
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On mine, the front wheel bearings failed and made a noise about the same kind of pitch an electric motor would make. But they did not have noticeable play in them when I jacked it up and moved the wheels around. _________________ Ancient vehicles and vessels
1974 VW T2 : Devon Eurovette camper with 1641 DP T1 engine, Progressive carb, full flow oil cooler, EDIS crank timed ignition.
Engine 1: 40k miles (rocker shaft clip fell off), Engine 2: 30k miles (rebuild, dropped valve). Engine 3: a JK Preservation Parts "new" engine, aluminium case: 26k miles: new top end.
Gearbox rebuild 2021 by Bears.
1979 Westerly GK24 24 foot racer/cruiser yacht Forethought of Gosport.
1973 wooden Pacer sailing dinghy |
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surfbus23 Samba Member
Joined: July 21, 2016 Posts: 382
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Posted: Sat Apr 10, 2021 1:07 pm Post subject: Re: Unknown grinding/rubbing noise at speed |
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Thanks everyone for chipping in. I need the help! I figured it might be best to upload an audio capture of the sound. This was done with a recorder sitting between the driver and passenger seat. I'm going approximately 30mph and very light left to right action of the steering wheel.
Link
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busdaddy Samba Member
Joined: February 12, 2004 Posts: 51003 Location: Surrey B.C. Canada, but thinking of Ukraine
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Posted: Sat Apr 10, 2021 3:19 pm Post subject: Re: Unknown grinding/rubbing noise at speed |
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Through lousy laptop speakers that sounds like a disc rubbing on a dust plate. Jack up the bus and grab each tire and try to move it side to side as well as up down, any noticeable play in one (or both)? _________________ Rust NEVER sleeps and stock never goes out of style.
Please don't PM technical questions, ask your problem in public so everyone can play along. If you think it's too stupid post it here
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery!
Слава Україні! |
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surfbus23 Samba Member
Joined: July 21, 2016 Posts: 382
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Posted: Sat Apr 10, 2021 3:44 pm Post subject: Re: Unknown grinding/rubbing noise at speed |
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The problem is I'm not sure what noticeable play entails. I did this earlier and both sides the tire moves as an entire unit. Doesn't feel like any looseness though. Just like you can grab it and it's part of the suspension, so it can be moved.
Tomorrow morning I'm going to pop the tires off and see what I can find with the breaks. |
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busdaddy Samba Member
Joined: February 12, 2004 Posts: 51003 Location: Surrey B.C. Canada, but thinking of Ukraine
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Posted: Sat Apr 10, 2021 4:18 pm Post subject: Re: Unknown grinding/rubbing noise at speed |
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surfbus23 wrote: |
Just like you can grab it and it's part of the suspension, so it can be moved. |
Just how big and strong are you?, aside from slow smooth side to side movement if the steering is unlocked a wheel shouldn't move at all when being manipulated by an average mortal. Is there any clunk clunks when you reach the ends of this "movement" you are seeing? it doesn't take big muscles to find play, grabbing the top of a tire with one hand and pushing in/out can expose a loose wheel bearing. It may only move 1/2" at the top, but any play is bad news. _________________ Rust NEVER sleeps and stock never goes out of style.
Please don't PM technical questions, ask your problem in public so everyone can play along. If you think it's too stupid post it here
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery!
Слава Україні! |
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kreemoweet Samba Member
Joined: March 13, 2008 Posts: 3884 Location: Seattle, WA
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Posted: Sat Apr 10, 2021 4:30 pm Post subject: Re: Unknown grinding/rubbing noise at speed |
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surfbus23 wrote: |
I'm not sure I understand how that cable would be causing this noise? I have a single cable, no contraption. |
The cable spins inside its conduit at wheel rpm. Lack of lube in there is a common source of noise. Turning the wheel bends the conduit and
increases force between cable and conduit, and could cause noise even if there's none while going straight. You have the classic symptoms. _________________ '67 bug: seized by the authorities
'68 bug: seized by the authorities
'71 kombi: not yet seized by the authorities
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery! |
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cellobus1 Samba Member
Joined: June 10, 2014 Posts: 282 Location: East Tennessee
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Posted: Sat Apr 10, 2021 6:31 pm Post subject: Re: Unknown grinding/rubbing noise at speed |
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I'm going to chime in and say that I've experienced something like that noise. Consider that it might not be a grinding, but a really fast vibration/rattling. There's a bushing on the front end of the shift rod that keeps the rod aimed correctly. If it's missing, the rod can wiggle around a lot, and when you turn the steering wheel it makes the rod lean towards the frame.
Andy _________________ 1976 unrestored daily driver Standard bus, "Stella"
formerly, 1959 Standard bus
formerly, 1973 transporter which was 4 years old when it taught me to drive |
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surfbus23 Samba Member
Joined: July 21, 2016 Posts: 382
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Posted: Sun Apr 11, 2021 5:04 am Post subject: Re: Unknown grinding/rubbing noise at speed |
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busdaddy wrote: |
aside from slow smooth side to side movement |
I think this would be what I meant by movement. Just sort of shaking the car more than the wheel being lose.
Jacked the front up and took off the tire this morning. Found the break caliper looking like this.
This looks to be problematic with it rubbing against the rotor. It looks the same on the backside. Or not. I don't remember what it's supposed to be like. Looks like maybe this is correct. |
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surfbus23 Samba Member
Joined: July 21, 2016 Posts: 382
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Posted: Sun Apr 11, 2021 5:21 am Post subject: Re: Unknown grinding/rubbing noise at speed |
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cellobus1 wrote: |
I'm going to chime in and say that I've experienced something like that noise. Consider that it might not be a grinding, but a really fast vibration/rattling. There's a bushing on the front end of the shift rod that keeps the rod aimed correctly. If it's missing, the rod can wiggle around a lot, and when you turn the steering wheel it makes the rod lean towards the frame.
Andy |
Thanks Andy. The bushing is still there and in good shape. Recently relubed it and I verified it's position yesterday. |
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surfbus23 Samba Member
Joined: July 21, 2016 Posts: 382
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Posted: Sun Apr 11, 2021 5:23 am Post subject: Re: Unknown grinding/rubbing noise at speed |
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kreemoweet wrote: |
The cable spins inside its conduit at wheel rpm. Lack of lube in there is a common source of noise. Turning the wheel bends the conduit and increases force between cable and conduit, and could cause noise even if there's none while going straight. You have the classic symptoms. |
What's the solution to this then? Remove the cable and grease inside it? |
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surfbus23 Samba Member
Joined: July 21, 2016 Posts: 382
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Posted: Sun Apr 11, 2021 5:59 am Post subject: Re: Unknown grinding/rubbing noise at speed |
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It appears that it was in fact the speedometer cable. I zip tied it up and out of the way and had no problems (other than the fact I had no clue what speed I was going). But I got it up to speed enough and it was quiet.
Any thoughts on the best way to lube it? It's the inside or the outside that needs the lube? I shot some white grease from a can down it but not sure if that was enough. |
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LouFilia Samba Member
Joined: January 22, 2015 Posts: 77 Location: SLO, CA
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Posted: Sun Apr 11, 2021 10:14 am Post subject: Re: Unknown grinding/rubbing noise at speed |
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Any non-hardening grease will work fine. American car dealers in the 60s used white lithium grease, but I have always used graphite lube (I mention the white grease, so that you don't combine the two). Obviously the graphite is what I'd recommend, but now that I that I thought about it the light weight oil I use for my bicycle cables would also be ideal.
Just a note, if you do not lube the cable it will break. Also, it may break soon no matter what you do, due to the possible damage to the sheathing inside the cable. I wouldn't worry about it, just don't be surprised if you have to buy a new one.
(As a AARP card carrying adolescent, I laugh every time I read this over due to the secret poop reference) _________________ '78 Westy (P22), 2.0FI (GE), 4speed (CP), thought I was buying a VW, ended up with a Bentley. |
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