Forum:
Hi, I haven’t been driving my sportrak long, but absolutely love it! One problem I have noticed is that when I reveres with the steering wheel fully turned to the left when I come down of a curb there is a loud crack noise which is a bit disconcerting as my 4x4 is having trouble tackling a curb! I don’t have the best mechanical knowledge so any help is appreciated. Also when should I start getting worried about an oil leak? I have noticed today that it is slowly leaking oil, in the future will anything need replacing, and it looks like it is coming from the oil sump (limited mechanical knowledge so could be wrong). Any help appreciated. Cheers guys
Any one got any idears?
Any one got any idears? i would like to try and identify the problem just incase i am making it worse over time. also any furth tips on how to identify the source of an oil leak would be appreicated.
CRACKING NOISE
I have the same or similar noise on both my Sportrak when dropping off a kerb.I have sprayed all the roll bar busdhes with silicone and greased all the ball joints with little change.I have checked all the bolts, joints and arms for secureness again without success. I have concluded that it is just suspension movement and since I have owned the older for 12 years without any problem then I have learnt to ignore it. It may be improved by polybushes but as it has passed all MOT's then I have ignored it. A friend had the same problem and said it was the steering stops graunching as you dropped off the kerb. Both are feasible.
As for the oil leak youneed toremove the sump guard whichiseasy and clean the area around thesump with a degreasant and then let the car stand. You should then seewhere the oil is coming from. The sump plug has a fibrewasher on that sticks to the sumpand is often left on rather than replaced at each oil change. Iftheoil is driping from the sumpplug thishs eitherbeen removed and not replaced or possibly a new one hasbeen added with theold one still in place. I replace mine with copper as the compound one's from Daihatsu are silly money for what they are.Check the Oil filter isn't leaking. These have a large "O" ring on the mounting face which must be smeared with new oil before replacement and can leak if not as they can become distorted when the new dry filter is put on and then leak.Some mechanics don't clean the mounting face and dirt can cause a leak or damage the "O" ring. These are the cheap and easy to cure oil leaks, others will depend on where the oil is coming from and the amount. Check the dip stick is securely in as these have a seal on them as well.
OLDMINIMAN
M J Young
Noise
Hi I had this orrible noise and what I found was that the end stops on the steering just need a dob of grease on them try it you be suprised look under the front wheels when on full lock and your see the stops they get rusty and grate when moving up and down ie up and down the curb.
Clean the sump off with a rag and see where the leaks coming from it could just be leaking out of the drain plug if so when you do a oil change next put a new copper washer on bolt or ptfe tape on threads you buy this in a diy shop about 50p,if its coming down the sides could be sump gasket gone,
Alfie
Noise
Thanks Alfie that sounds just the answer. I have ignored it for years but what you say is very logical.
OLDMINIMAN
M J Young
Thankyou
Thank you all for your help, I will try everything you have said. It is greatly appreciated. OMM seems to be a fountain of knowledge! No doubt I will be back on here with more questions, thanks again, Chris.
OMM
omm = god
OMM
Not really I just like this forum and love cars and in particular the Daihatsu 4x4's. I live in France and there are very few over hear so it is nice to talk with fellow owners in the UK and other countries. I have gained a lot from others and I hope I can help somone get sorted anytime.
Good luck
OLDMINIMAN
M J Young