Guibo Failure?

[kdog]

Can anyone shed some light on what symptoms may be expected from a flex donut failure? I was driving down a typicall upstate NY pothole mine field when I heard claink followed by pop pop pop pop pop. I hit the brakes, the noise stopped only to return after hitting the next hole in road. Every bump I hit on the way home sounded like the car was falling apart. Metal on metal all the way. I just did the water pump on Friday and here we go again. How am I supposed to get a tan if I am always under the car, rather than in it?
Kdog

[mbouse]

clang, clang generally reeks of metal on metal... generally not the description of the guibo failure.

however, driveline has not been eliminated as suspect with the center support bearing.

since you suspect driveline, best to lose a little sunshine exposure and roll under the chassis again.

[So Cal Mark]

could be a shock absorber bushing

[manoa matt]

Sounds like a blown out shock tower. With the hood open, push down on the fender and watch the upper shock mount.

[kdog]

Sounds like a blown out shock tower. With the hood open, push down on the fender and watch the upper shock mount.

When pushing down on the fender, what I looking for?

I should also clarify the symptom a little. The pop pop pop sound is rythmic. For every one revolution of the wheel, there is one pop. Could this still be related to shocks? I have a set of front shocks on order. Do they come with new bushings or can I order them somewhere?

I inspected the drive train last night. There are some very minor cracks in the flex boot (also on order). The center bearing looks old. There is about 1/2" to 3/4" of play in the drive shaft at the center bearing. I do not see any light coming through when I push on it but I do see some minor cracks in the rubber bearing housing. In the resting position, the drive shaft sits low in the center bearing bracket. Is that another sign of wear or is that normal and does the shaft center itself when in motion.

Sorry for my ignorance.

[MNspiderman]

Did you check the silly stuff like your jack strap came off and the jack is rattling against the fender? your spare tire bracket busted loose? your lug nut wrench is rattling because it moved. Someone stole all four of your fuel tank nuts so the tank rattles now, you left a 12 pack of beer and a pizza in the trunk and forgot about it. You have a man hole cover stuck on top of your rear axle and didn't realize it, Just those silly things that can happen while living in NY.

[kdog]

Thank you. I will check for oddball stuff. It does make me think about those metal rotor covers on the back of the wheels. I wonder if something may have gotten caught up in there and is bouncing around.

Shock towers sound pricey...

[kdog]

Well Spiderman, you hit it right on the head. I jacked up the front of the car and started rockin the passenger wheel back and forth. Something didnt sound right. Upon closer inspection, I found the brake caliper holding on by only one loose bolt. The other bolt was just gone. I applied some locktight, replaced the missing bolt, and the problem is solved. Nothing like turning a mole into an ant hill. Thanks for your help again guys.
kdog

[So Cal Mark]

I'd be concerned about that driveshaft and center support. It shouldn't be that loose

[kdog]

I do have the parts on order to freshen up the drivetrain. Flex boot, center support bearing and housing, and u-joints. Is there anything else I should be considering when I have the drive shaft out? I know to mark the forward and rear sections to maintain the balance. Also, I am still trying to track down this whining at high RPMs. It sounds like its coming from either the drivetrain or up front. I just replaced the waterpump and that had no impact on the issue. The alternator bearing is also suspect. Has anyone had any experience replacing the alternator bearing?

[mbouse]

disconnect the v-belt from the alternator and take a high speed test drive.

if the whining sound disappears your hunt is over!

[baltobernie]

If it's a drivetrain noise, it will vary with wheel speed; if engine, it will vary with RPMs. Alternator bearings usually screech; if you're hearing a whine, a better guess would be tranny or diff. You can usually get these to sing on demand by releasing the accelerator and under engine braking.

But as Mark would say, it can get expensive and frustrating to replace components without diagnosis. The sounds you're describing can be quickly and inexpensively pinpointed by any competent mechanic. The forum is the place to go once you've identified the problem; how to fix, OEM vs. aftermarket, etc.

BTW, if it is the alternator bearing, the usual fix is a rebuilt unit. Then you have only to decide original or upgrade.

[kdog]

Thank you. "Sing on demand" is exactly right. I can get the whine to come and go easily with the accelerator in fourth and fifth gear. Perhaps its time to find a competent mechanic. I took it to the same mechanic that worked on it before I bought it for a timing belt. I told them about the noise and asked them to flush the tranny and inspect the drivetrain. They told me everything looked perfect. That center bearing does not look even close to perfect. That and some other comments they made have left me with very little confidence in that shop. Any good Fiat mechanics in upstate New York?

[kdog]

I found this video on youtube. This is exactly what my little spidy is doing.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0CK8zAAw4AA
Any thoughts? So far, all research points to ring and pinion and it sounds like it is not a DIY job...

[baltobernie]

The sounds on the video are opposite of what I think of in a bad diff. They always sing when I let OFF, not on.

To answer your last question, the whole axle is usually replaced with a salvage unit, a DIY job, versus repairing the diff.

Look for a mechanic with mostly gray or white hair