Hi all, I have a Sierra Sapphire Cosworth 4x4. When I turn left I get a banging noise coming from around the gearbox area. I can feel it pretty harshly on the floor too. I’ve moved the exhaust as it’s quite close to the box but this doesn’t appear to have helped. Any thoughts? CheeRS Terry.

 

Hi, it could be your exhaust downpipe catching the small front prop especially if it is a large bore stainless one , mine has done this before only when turning left , there isnt much clearance .

 

Cheers i will have a look thanks.

 

I had my prop hitting the downpipe, turned out to be the UJ had failed.

 

When you say the UJ how do you mean?

 

He means the propshaft joint, it's the front propshaft between the gearbox and the front diff you need to look at. Failing that i'd check both engine mounts are ok, and the cv joints of both front drievshafts.

 

As rog said!

...Sorry, I didn't make that very clear!

 

Thanks guys ill have a look and see what i can find.
Terry.

 

Don’t know if this is linked or not, but my steering is extremely heavy at times. I’ve checked the power steering fluid which is fine. It doesn’t happen all the time either, once or twice its on full lock but the wheels have hardly moved? It just seems to be one thing after another with it!
Thanks Terry,

 

Could the belt be slipping perhaps? Or does it only get heavy after some fast, transient lock to lock operations. You can 'outrun' the pump when you're really 'working' the steering

 

It’s random. Sometimes it can be first thing in the morning, other times it can be as and when it feels like it. But this only seems to have happened recently. It actually feels heavier than when the car isn’t running and you have to steer. Really starting to get cured of it!

 

Don't want to worry you but read this

http://www.turbosport.co.uk/showthre...rth-4x4-Owners

The reason I remember to search for this is because my Mom always used to give me the Motoring section of the Daily Telegraph - in the 'Honest John' section which was a Q and A part there was a letter with a pic of an exploded Cosworth 4x4 gearbox where a guy had started off with similar symptoms. It had done a lot of damage to his car when it went. You rarely see anything about Cosworths in mainstream newspapers hence I remembered about it. The thread above is a similar issue ( I couldn't find any reference to the original Honest John article )

Not saying yours isn't something simple like the exhaust but it may be worth checking

 

To be honest I think it’s just a scrapper lol! Well I’m hoping to get it on a ramp tonight and have a look. So I’ll let you know how it gets on tonight, thanks for your advice (and worry!) LOL
Terry.

 

...................................

Wow, i didnt realise it was that long i made that Turbosport post
I still have that cosworth,and the front prop has been fine since

 

Sorry, my post did come a bit 'Mumsnet-like' didn't it! Just wanted you to avoid a hole in your floorpan or bad damage
Hope you got it sorted!