Metallic noise during cold days

[bher]

After a big maintenace, my 88 NA was running fine for a few months and suddendly this very cold weekend I started to notice a very bad noise like something in metal touching the windscreen or another metallic piece. It happens when I drive on a bump and sounds very bad. It seems to me it is coming from the left lower corner of the windscreen. It is worst than the light noise we may heard from the lamps pods when driving on a big bump. One moment I was thinking it comes from the glass roof because ot really sounds as 'cristal' sounds. I do not found what it is. I checked the fronts springs, the mobility of the pods, the tools and other stuffs under the bonnet, the mobility of the bonnet itself. the bonnet retainer hooks, checker the lower part of the dashboard. It remains a space I cannot easelly check. It is the space infront of the dashboard but under the rear fiber glass of the front bonnet. the bonnet's hooks are moving for 8 mm lateraly but not vertically and I am sure the bonnet is not touching anything. I do have to mention that it is really freezing now for a few days and I had outside dinner. I am sure that the car was frozen when I took it before the day I heard the noise for the first time. Is it possible that a piece connecting the chassis to the fiber glass broke and give this noise?
Any help or idea would be appreciated. Thanks

Ben

[cnh1990]

Is it more of a ticking sound?
A vibration sound?
Associated with engine of vehicle speed or just bumps?
Check the body fastening bolts?
I suppose it could be ice cracking or rubbing in the cracks of the car. Hard to tell although my car has been out in cold weather it is never driven in snow or wet conditions that it could freeze up on the car.
Calvin

[bher]

Thanks Calvin for the quick reply.
I realise how difficult it is to explain a car noise.
It sounds as a vibration. It comes on sharp bump even at "slow" speed. It is more the schock that the move which create the sound. eg; a sudden 3 cm change of level (as a step) will give it but not necesseraly a bad cobblestone road). Torsion of the car appears to play a role. Even if I take a small hole in the street with the RIGHT front wheel I hear it on the left side. It is like a vibration as an heavy metalic tool jumping in a thick glass box. When it comes it is only one or two times per bump sometimes a lighter third time. (But I try to avoid to take bumps or hole in the streets at speed more than 25 mph since then.)
The noise has nothing to do or relation with engine speed, gear change, depressing clutch or not, turning right or left. I was scared it could come from the direction column but have no argument for it.
How can I check the chassis bolts near the front left wheel?
Ben


>> Edited by bher on Monday 9th December 18:32

[cnh1990]

You don't think ther could be a ice chunk in the front compartment area? Look with a flash light and check the front spare tire area, the light pods filling with water and freezing, frozen windshield washer bottle, etc. Check the steering rack and tie rod ends for play. Check all bushings and shock tower mounts. Once I get home from work I will look up the exact location of the frame bolts unless someelse has a book and let's you know.
Calvin

[cnh1990]

Also what work did you have done to the car?
Check things that attaches to the suspension like a sway bar and hubs to see if the move sideways. Check the play of the steering box.
Calvin

[bher]

I try to keep the car in its original state. No change of suspension,tires or wheels. I move to SS clutch pipe to avoid RHS. Still looking for a explonation.
Thanks.
Ben

[cnh1990]

Grab each front tire and push and pull on it to rock the car back and forth. does the wheel move in and out or make any type of sound even slightly?
Calvin

[janszott]

I had the exact same problem. Sounded like something hitting the glass windscreen or roof. I removed the glass roof and cleaned the rubber an put some silicone on it and the noise was gone. That was the cheapest repair I've ever done.
Hope that helps

jan
91SE

[roadburner]

Hello,i`ve had a noise which sound like metal on metal.You may have to check your frame.I got four cracks beneath the shifter which i have to weld.
After that small repair the problem is fixed.
I think a lot of esprit drivers got cracks on their frames and they don`t know that!

THX

[bher]

Thank you for the ideas.
Yesterday I checked the wheels "mobility". When I strongly shake in and out the front tires and wheels I do notice a small movment of about 5 mm. As we may expect the car is moving as well but in comparison with the rear wheels (where there is absolutly no slide of the wheels itself) I do feel a slight freedom on the front ones. However I do not ear any specific "cling" or rubbing sounds. I do not know if this move is normal but my feeling is that it seems acceptable because I really have to grab the tires strongly and shake heavely.
I appreciate the other comments and will check driving without roof tonight (it is freezing but worth the deal). Regarding the chassis, afaik, from underneath I didn't notice any craks. It was also one of my fear.
I keep you posted
Ben

[cnh1990]

5mm movement you might need a hub adjustment to tighten up the wheel bearings. For the most part if there is lateral wheel movement it can occur at 2 places wheel bearing or tie rod ends. To check tie rod ends unload the front wheel(s) and observe steering movement as opposed to wheel movement.
Calvin

[bher]

Yesterday evening experiences are that the glass roof is not involved. That the noise is coming more frequently for smaller shocks and is definitely a vibration as a loose metallic parts against the body. Now it appears also during the little move the car does when shifting up gear. (No drag racing for me but when accelarating to european speedways I noticed it slighlty from 2 to third gear and 3 to 4)
I took a special look at the lamp pods because the left one was moving a bit and mainly during the same time (always holes or bumps) but once fixed it remains the metallic noise.
I tighten every bolts I have seen under the front bonnet (surprising how much screws may be tighten by the way).
Regarding the front wheel, 5 mm was probably exagerated but I will check by unloading the car this WE (I will also double check the frame)
I took also a long time looking underneath the dashboard (not so long because it was after dinner to be honnest) I wonder if it could come from the wiper motor or mechanism. I try to check that point but looking at the service note, it could come from a loose point overthere.
The good point is that I already check a lot of small things and everything looks fine but the bad point is that I cannot check the most important ones....... Waiting for the WE
Thanks everyone
Ben

>> Edited by bher on Thursday 12th December 08:30