Just on my way home, pulled out of a junction and accelerated up to about 3,500rpm when there was a massive bang from the front of the car. It felt like someone had thumped the underside of my foot-well with a sledge hammer. I coasted for a while and then tentatively drove the journey home.  

 

The car isn't running any different. No additional smoke and no sign of oil underneath. The car is a 2003 diesel with 173k on the clock.

 

I am guessing it's something in the gear box but would be keen to hear if anyone has any ideas???

 

Thanks

Colm

Check the coil springs on the suspension. I had similar on our fabia and it was a broken spring

Check the coil springs on the suspension. I had similar on our fabia and it was a broken spring

Had a look and the springs seems fine. Had the car in for new front shocks and suspension arms, bushes etc on Tuesday past. Basically everything bar the springs was changed. 

 

Now thinking (hoping) that it may have been some settlement in the springs. I was accelerating, so the springs were under less load and may have had a chance to move a bit if they weren't 100% in place from the work.

 

Had the car out for a 5 mile drive this morning. Up and down through the gears and I couldn't feel or hear anything odd. No sign of oil around the gear box or on the road where it sat all night. I did think at one point that 1st gear felt strange/rough for a split second, but I might just be paranoid now.

Did you have a good look at the springs - in my case it wasn't snapped in the middle but at the tail - the last 4 inches or so had snaped off but fortunately were trapped within the cup of the mount.

Did you have a good look at the springs - in my case it wasn't snapped in the middle but at the tail - the last 4 inches or so had snaped off but fortunately were trapped within the cup of the mount.

Raised both sides up on the trolley jack and had a good look around with the torch and a feel, but couldn't see any sing of a broken spring. I have had both front springs changed in the last few years due to breaking as you have said.

 

I'm becoming much more convinced it's gearbox related. I did have the car under hard acceleration (clearing out the soot) when it happened.

Try and repeat the fault....

It maybe you have just ran over something and its hit the floorpan

Try and repeat the fault....

It maybe you have just ran over something and its hit the floorpan

Paul, I have thought hard about it and eventually traded the car in. I would have liked to have tried to repeat the problem, but I could have ended up destroying something. I thought I would rather get a few ££s on trade in than have to have it towed to a breakers. Sad to have to get rid, but I would have been changing in a few months anyway.