dominicwellsuk Posted May 11, 2010 Share Posted May 11, 2010 Recently I've come across a couple of problems on my 04 GT, which have steadily got worse and worse to the point I am concerned for the long term health of the car if I drive much more. My issues are two fold... 1. A VERY loud knocking from the RHF, manifesting itself on rough roads, but not necessarily potholes. I can induce a knocking by turning the wheel left and right with the engine off, so my initial thought was a track rod end worn. I also get a very loose steering feel and floaty steering at speed. Not sure if this would come from a TRE also. So, from my own diagnosis... Inconclusive. 2. A grinding from the clutch/gearbox under at idle and also normal running. Gets drowned out by the exhaust and road noise at higher speeds but I think it's still there. Applying sudden load to the engine generates a knocking, and the knocking can be heard periodically whilst idling. Not a very nice feel through the pedal also... Also inconclusive. So, I took it to a mate who dabbles occasionally and he reckoned the RHF knocking was the track rod end, took it to a local garage who looked at it on a 4-poster for free and reckoned it was a drop link, but to be sure I booked it into a dealer for diagnosis at £76, so they could look at the gearbox/clutch knocking as well. Later that day, the dealer rang to explain that despite me explaining the symptons, (not by test drive yet), they had found no fault on the car, and he put everything down to a set of Vredesteins on the front, rather than the OEM Bridgestones. I told him he was an oaf and asked to drive the workshop manager round for a bit later that day. When face to face, he then had the audacity to say that they don't really drive many 350s so couldn't be expected to recognise something wrong. Back at the garage, again, the sound was obvious, and it was agreed there was an issue, but of course they had no idea what it was, nor it seems had they even been under the car whilst it was idling to even check for something loose, which would be a nice easy explanation to potentially both problems. Agreed to book it in again for no charge, including driving the workshop monkey around for a bit so he could apprecite the concern, under the proviso that if after that, no cause was identified, the £76 would be refunded. This took some battling with a hag on reception, but we got there in the end. I tell you this partly to pass on a tale of awful, awful technical knowledge, and complete lack of effort on the part of a main dealer, but also in the vain hope that someone may have a pointer as to what may be the issue. If the dealer comes to me with nothing, then I'll have it into another independent place, (any suggestions near Newcastle?). I'm looking forward to putting this to bed as the car is only sounding worse and worse, and my encounters with the dealer are robbing me of my faith in humanity. Is help out there??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vik54 Posted May 11, 2010 Share Posted May 11, 2010 No surprises there then with the dealer techie's knowledge of a 350z If you're looking for somewhere decent in the NEast PM Lexx - am sure he'll have a recommendation Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bounty78 Posted May 11, 2010 Share Posted May 11, 2010 There's a very good garage in Boro..Falcon Performance garage. Highly recommended..been there many times and i have had a lots of work done by them. Give Dane or Steve a ring on 01642 469732. Or PM R35LEE. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kazman Posted May 11, 2010 Share Posted May 11, 2010 The knocking I had over rough roads was down to an front end link. However, a lot of people trace it to the compression rod (banana bar), and I would imagine would contribute to the floaty feeling you are having. I too am getting a knocking from the steering when i turn the wheel left and right when stationary. I am hoping this is down to a worn tie rod in my case. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marzman Posted May 11, 2010 Share Posted May 11, 2010 Lesson learned : never EVER go to a main dealers. They have no idea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rtbiscuit Posted May 12, 2010 Share Posted May 12, 2010 falcon will sort you out. extremely good knowledge Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dominicwellsuk Posted May 12, 2010 Author Share Posted May 12, 2010 Thanks guys. Arranged to pop down to Falcon next weekend. Let's hope she survives that long. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martinmac Posted May 12, 2010 Share Posted May 12, 2010 Which dealer was it just out of interest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dominicwellsuk Posted May 12, 2010 Author Share Posted May 12, 2010 It was Benfield on Felling Bypass, Gateshead. I've never used them for anything before but they were the only dealer that could look at it in such a short time. Definitely the worst in the area. Boooo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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