Hi Guys,

a few weeks ago i started getting a kinda grinding clunck, clunck noise which sounded like it was coming up from the front drivers side of the car only really noticeable from inside the car. I was told my discs were in a bad way and needed changing. I changed them all front and rear and all pads.......noise still there!

I was then told it sounded like driveshaft, so I have just had the garage change the driveshaft complete on both sides including all cv joints etc.....noise still there!

This morning i have been told it is possibly the gearbox. I am at the end of my rope here and my pocket is empty!

However gear changes lovely, smooth no kicking no jerking all gears slip in lovely, i can't understand how it would be the gearbox.

This noise is there all the time and increases with the speed of the car. If it is the gearbox or diff inside the gearbox, is there someone in London (or near) who could open and repair this cheaply, or is there a place who could recon my box cheaply, or anyone you know of who can do an exchange box cheaply?

Sorry guys i am not a cheapscate it's just that i have now run out of money spending on this car over the past month, the car is worth on the books around 700 quid and i have spent about 3 grand on it! thinking its only a 53,000 miles car so it's worth doing, but not to this extent!

hopefully someone knows someone who can do this for me for a decent price?

Thanks in advance

EDIT:

AFTER HAVING DRIVEN IT WITH THE ALL NEW CAMSHAFT, ON A STRAIGHT LINE IT IS NOT TOO BAD BUT WHEN I TURN THE STEERING TO THE RIGHT OR LEFT (WORSE ON RIGHT) THE NOISE "CLUNK CLUNK CLUNK" IS VERY LOUD...QUESTION: IF IT WAS THE GEARBOX, WOULD TURNING THE STEERING EFFECT IT MORE? I CAN'T SEE HOW?

ANY ADVISE OR INSIGHT WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED.

Edited 28 July, 201114 yr by ha33y

Are the engine mounts OK. I've seen a couple of Octavias with a faulty drivers side engine mount.

Are the engine mounts OK. I've seen a couple of Octavias with a faulty drivers side engine mount.

I will contact the garage and ask them to check. Thank you for your comment

Keep them coming guys pleeeeeze!

This is so bizarre, are there no other tests that can be done to be sure what the problem is other than "we gotta take the gearbox out and pull it apart mate" and why worse when turning to the right or left, surely if it was the gearbox, it would be there constantly.

I think this car is jinxed, or I am!

No other ideas? :'(

I take it that you've already checked the wheel bearings. These can make all sorts of noises.

I take it that you've already checked the wheel bearings. These can make all sorts of noises.

Yep indeed, they seem fine.

Thanks for your input.

Is everyone on holiday?

Just had another mechanic look at it, he recons wheel bearing, but the wheel don't have any play on it at all! This is a clunk clunking noise not a rubbing noise. Oh boy at this rate I will have rebuilt this car with new parts and still not found the problem.

Just had another mechanic look at it, he recons wheel bearing, but the wheel don't have any play on it at all! This is a clunk clunking noise not a rubbing noise. Oh boy at this rate I will have rebuilt this car with new parts and still not found the problem.

You can't always feel the play - it does sound like a wheel bearing.

You can't always feel the play - it does sound like a wheel bearing.

Really? well I have learned something new, thank you.

I have decided though to bite the bullet and take it to a skoda main dealer in watford for a diagnostic check. They should be able to tell me what's wrong then i can take it to the mechanic and get it done. i have been quoted £49.95 for this check which is well worth it, i should have done it from the start except when i called skoda in Walthamstow, they quoted me £100 per hour for as long as it takes! that frightened me to death.

Anyhow Monday morning i will know (I hope!)

Thanks Fordfan and rwbaldwin for your helpful comments, i appreciate you taking the time.

I would go for a wheel bearings first too. Certainly cheaper than having the gearbox done!

I would go for a wheel bearings first too. Certainly cheaper than having the gearbox done!

Well the wheel bearings will be my last not first! I have spent thousands on this 1999 car but if it is the gearbox (which i doubt) I wont be keeping the car. i will be selling it as is or spares. I really cannot afford to go on like this, i mean the car cost me, 1000 to buy, then spent another 2,000 on servicing, new discs & pads, new cat, new driveshaft and so much more stuff that it is virtually new, however a gearbox will set me back around 1,200 from what i am told which just ain't worth it. I would be lucky to get back 2,000 on the car if it was running perfect! so somewhere, i gotta draw the line and count my losses innit?

Anyhow i am hoping and praying that it is the wheel bearings so that this nightmare can end here. Shame really, since this car has only done 53,000 miles with full history!