Date:         Sun, 20 Apr 2008 13:25:48 -0400
Reply-To:     Robert Stewart <robertmstewart@MAC.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Robert Stewart <robertmstewart@MAC.COM>
Subject:      New Noise coming from under the body
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; format=flowed; delsp=yes

Hey Everyone,

Strange Noise started to occur from the bottom of the van, having a
hard time figuring out where it is coming from and when it occurs.

This past friday driving from Brooklyn to upstate NY I started to hear
this loud banging under the van at higher speeds, at first I thought
it was coming from the front wheels, then later it sounded like it was
coming from the rear. I was driving me nuts and still is.

I pulled off the road, got under the van and could see nothing caught,
loose, dangling or otherwise improper in appearance. The noise went
away when the van was idling and would sometimes stop all together for
no reason.

A couple of times I thought it was due to accelerating, then I thought
it was due to turning to the right, but it then stops while doing
these things. Ultimately very confusing with now leads on how to
diagnose the issue.

I took the Van to my local mechanic, we put it on the lift, checked
all the tires, wheels, the front and back wheels to see if we heard
any noise, NOTHING, Quiet as a mouse.

Checked the exhaust, we saw the new S&S exhaust system I put on 6
months ago had a piece of metal bre spinned ak off where it was
connected to the muffler, it was a simple 2 inch piece, he welded it
on in 5 minutes. Good as new.

Checked for anything loose under the carriage could not find anything!

We looked at the steering, sway bar, briefly looked at the disc brakes
and everything seemed ok.

I drove away and it sounded fine. 20 minutes later it started making
the noise again!! I got out checked the Muffler again to be sure it
was attached and it was! So it was not a rattling muffler, this
morning I got under the van an again checked for all the pipes to
solid with no wiggle, they are all rock solid!

What is going on!

It sounds like something hitting the frame and vibrating up to the
front, and appears to be coming from the passenger side to me. It
comes and goes and sounds at times likes it tied to the rotation of
tire as the timing of the banging seems to coinside with speed ratio.

Has anyone ever heard of anything like this? Any leads?

Also one other question What Power steering Fluid should I be using? I
was really low yesterday and NAPA said I could use Valvoline long life
(for extended older vehicles).

Thanks in advance for any insight you might be able to share.

--
Rob
NYC/Bloomingburg NY
88 Wolfsburg, Silver
234,000 miles - automatic
AIM: rmstewart@mac.com