Noise from rear of car

[paulypaul182]

Evening all

I have a 04 plate SW S which Ive had a month now and its developed a problem.

From the rear there is, what I can only describe as, a metal ding type noise whilst driving. Its not constant and doesnt always happen when driving over bumps. Its like two pieces of metal, both or just one being hollow, knocking against each other. There is no set time that this would happen. It happens when both hot or cold, at any speed and on uneven and even surfaces. It only happens when the car is moving or when Im coming to a halt. It happens in both reverse and forward gears. I have had someone sit in the boot and they have located it toward the drivers side wheel arch although they have said the noise does move to the centre of the car. This does make me think its the exhaust as noise travels and theres an obvious hollow tube there. I havent managed to hitch the car up yet so have crawled under as far as I can to check if there is anything loose along the exhaust, the wheel arch and generally under the car. Ive shaken the exhaust and jumped up and down on the rear of the car and I couldnt hear the noise, but maybe the noise is more obvioius inside the car? Has anyone got any ideas? Im going to take it down the garage at some point next week but we all know mechanics take a guess, fix their guess and the noise remains.

Also, another annoying problem is the indicator stalk. I will indicate (any direction) and if I need to turn shaprly, such as a mini roundabout, the indicator wont just cancel but will the proceed to indicate in the other direction. Any ideas?

Thanks in advance

Paul

[Capncol]

Hi Paul & welcome.
The rear axle noise is almost certainly the rear axle bearings.It's a common problem and you can either replace them yourself, or there are companies that sell refurbished axles.
The second fault is also well known and is the comm2000 unit. I have seen various bodges usually consiting of poking bits of sponge into the gap around where the indicator stalk comes through the casing.
The proper fix is a new comm2000, but they are £££££'s

[paulypaul182]

Hi Paul & welcome.
The rear axle noise is almost certainly the rear axle bearings.It's a common problem and you can either replace them yourself, or there are companies that sell refurbished axles.
The second fault is also well known and is the comm2000 unit. I have seen various bodges usually consiting of poking bits of sponge into the gap around where the indicator stalk comes through the casing.
The proper fix is a new comm2000, but they are £££££'s

Thanks Capncol. Unfortunately I have very unlevel ground outside mine so working underneath the car is near impossible. How much do you think replacing the bearings at an average garage would be?

Also, is there a link you could point me toward re the indicator stalk?

Thanks again.

[Capncol]

Paul. Here is the bodge http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBBeRvig-tw
Axle costs depends where you take it and what they do. It is quicker to replace it than repair it. Axle repair 2 hrs ish depending on how easily it comes apart. Axle change about an hr.