vmssys Posted April 21, 2003 Share Posted April 21, 2003 Have allready done a search on this topic and would like to add my question. I have a 1999/T vvti TT Import. Totally standard spec. Over the last fortnight a knocking noise has developed from the rear near side suspension. I've taken it to my local Toyota dealer and after first saying they could find nothing wrong, I took mechanic for a test drive and within seconds he was hearing the noise. 30 minutes later and four mechanics under the car, they decided it was the top arm bushes where there was slight play. They could not guarantee that replacing them would cure the noise. I took the car to a local exhaust centre and they kindly had a good look over the suspension. Again they could find nothing wrong. No play in any of the bushes or anything. They sprayed WD40 on all the bushes to see if that would help - no luck. The noise is very noticable at low speeds. On a poor surface it can sound like the wheel is coming off. The noise is like a dull thud definately coming from under the car. It developed within a couple of days and its driving me mad. Any suggestions? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ad500 Posted April 22, 2003 Share Posted April 22, 2003 Originally posted by vmssys 30 minutes later and four mechanics under the car, they decided it was the top arm bushes where there was slight play. They could not guarantee that replacing them would cure the noise. The noise is very noticable at low speeds. On a poor surface it can sound like the wheel is coming off. The noise is like a dull thud definately coming from under the car. It developed within a couple of days and its driving me mad. Any suggestions? "Top arm bushes" Toyota said this to me when mine had a rear noise. I think it might be a standard Toyota answer to any rear noise. At nearly £350 per side to repair, because they sell it as a complete arm and won't seperate the bushes i can see why. I have had my fair share of rear noises and had a lot of help from the guys on the board. The end result even with all of the help, was to still find someone to take the car to who could confirm the fault for sure. I have spent since October 2002 to March 2003 flitting between various garages trying to sort out two rear noises and because they didn't see these cars on a regular basis had no success. Its also cost a fair few $$$ and time of work. The most annoying point is being charged for work that didn't need doing in the pursuit for the noise. I also worried about leaving my car with garages, certain that it was being thrashed around the town at lunchtime by the junior mechanic. These noises are notoriously difficult to identify on a web forum, suffice to say you will get a fair few possibilities. Although you may have some new ideas any garage will still want to do their own diagnosis. I wish i took the advice of one of the 1st replies to my noise thread which was..... "take your car to a specialist like CW, Leon , Option etc. They see alot of these cars and a far more likely to be able to quickly and correctly pin this noise down". I didn't and i should of, the noises i had were sorted out in about week once i took them to Leons. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vmssys Posted April 22, 2003 Author Share Posted April 22, 2003 Yep that sounds exactly right. £171+vat for the part plus fitting. We cannot guarantee it will fix it they said. I cannot guarantee I will pay you. Now we are at deadlock. The car is in for service this week so I will give them another chance to diagnose the problem. Free diagnosis they say. Keep trying until you are sure you find it! Where are these garages you mention. It may well be cheaper to go there in two trips to get it fixed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ad500 Posted April 22, 2003 Share Posted April 22, 2003 I would say that Chris Wilson is nearest to you and is also a member of this forum. The AA route finder reckons CW is approx 294 miles from you ( ) Leons and Option are further still. Maybe someone else will chime in with a nearer specialist. IMO this is still the best way to go. Although i like Toyotas no fee diagnosis policy i don't like the £80 P/H labour charge or the replace each bit till we find it attitude. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Need4Speed Posted April 24, 2003 Share Posted April 24, 2003 I had a similar knock a few months ago and it turned out to be as a result of failing shock absorbers. I swapped them left to right and the knock moved. New shock absorbers and it's fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daneway Posted April 24, 2003 Share Posted April 24, 2003 Very interested in the outcome to your rear end "knocking". I too have developed a nearside rear knock. Seems more apparent when negotiating gradual bumps. Comes and goes. Frustrating as hell! As a previous reply to your post, I had kinda homed in on shocker or bushes, but as yet have not done anything about it as it seems to have disappeared again. Ain't that always the way! Best of luck! MARTIN Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Need4Speed Posted April 24, 2003 Share Posted April 24, 2003 Search on "rear suspension knock" for my history. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vmssys Posted April 24, 2003 Author Share Posted April 24, 2003 I think it is the n/s shocker. The car is in for service and mot on Wednesday. I had the suspension checked by another garage today and the mechanic thought it was the shocker too. But he said it shows no signs of leakage. I think I'll ask them so swap the shockers to test it and if it works I'll be asking what shockers would be best to replace with to firm up the suspension. I know I must replace both shockers, but can I change the shockers for stiffer ones without changing the springs? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Need4Speed Posted April 24, 2003 Share Posted April 24, 2003 Mine didn't leak but they didn't damp either - particularly on rebound! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willson Posted April 24, 2003 Share Posted April 24, 2003 Just to add. I had knocking for ages. Replaced the shocks and voila Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vmssys Posted April 24, 2003 Author Share Posted April 24, 2003 OK Guys, thanks for the great help. If my friendly Toyota dealer tells me its the n/s shocker, then what do I do. I assume I have three options. 1. Replace the shockers with original Jap Spec shockers. 2. Replace the shockers with UK Spec shockers (assuming same fit but stiffer) 3. Fit aftermarket shockers. assuming options 1&2 are expensive, which shockers should I go for? will I need to change the springs. Will the car hadle strange with aftermarket shockers on the back and Jap Spec on the front? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Need4Speed Posted April 24, 2003 Share Posted April 24, 2003 As far as I know, the originals are made by KYB. The Bilsteins are quite pricey and you need to have the right springs. The TRD Bilsteins are very expensive and you need to have the right springs. My personal experience says Koni adjustables because they're a decent piece of kit for a good price. Ignore all the trick "show" units (HKS, Cusco etc.), they're very pretty and pretty expensive and that's all. The advantage of the Konis is price and the fact that you can set them to match your existing fronts and work with your existing springs. I have them at the rear and TRD at the front; works fine. PS If a garage is being paid to fit them, it should take 30 minutes or so if they know what they're doing. I can do them in 45 without a lift! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ad500 Posted April 25, 2003 Share Posted April 25, 2003 Originally posted by vmssys OK Guys, thanks for the great help. If my friendly Toyota dealer tells me its the n/s shocker, then what do I do. I assume I have three options. 1. Replace the shockers with original Jap Spec shockers. 2. Replace the shockers with UK Spec shockers (assuming same fit but stiffer) 3. Fit aftermarket shockers. I just had all four of my shocks replaced, not due to noises, they had just given up. My cars just passed 80K and i don't think thats too bad out of a set of shocks. Noticed that yours is a 1999 spec, how many miles has your car done? If yours is a standard Toyota shock it shouldn't be unreasonable to expect 80K with normal use. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vmssys Posted April 25, 2003 Author Share Posted April 25, 2003 The car has done only 41,300 miles so if it is the shocks then I've been unlucky. John, are you saying it would be cheaper to replace shockers with Koni's or should I go with originals or uk spec. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Martin F Posted April 25, 2003 Share Posted April 25, 2003 UK Spec shocks are softer than Jap spec. IMO now would be a good time to switch to aftermarket shocks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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