Hi,

Have just been driving my estate along some country lanes, and whilst braking from about 40mph for a junction on some undulating ground (not pot holed etc, just undulating ), the car sounded like it had bottomed out, at the end of the suspension travel, albeit very gently (i.e. not a huge crunch).

Looking under the car all feels fine, drives fine and doesn't appear to have lost any fuel/oil etc.

Car was empty, only two adults on board.

The only low items on the car would be the plastic tray under the engine (is this an actual skid tray, or just an engine liner?) and another just in front of the left rear wheel.

Anyone else had isssus with the estate bottoming out? Anything to watch for tomorrow morning when I go to work?

Hewesy

Haven't got the Estate version but in general the sump is LOW on the Fabia. The plastic undertray will not do a great deal to protect the sump as it's a fairly thin bit of kit.

I've got an aluminium undertray on mine, which makes it a little lower again due to the design of it, but it will actually take a knock without going through the sump.

Things to look for - I'd check the oil level before you leave in the morning, if the sump is cracked you'll see a drop. It sounds like you should be ok though, which is a good thing

Thanks for the reply.

To be honest the sound was more from the back of the car, just noticed the low sump/sump tray when under the car.

Will check oil etc before heading off....

Thanks

Hewesy

Well full of oil this morning - bonus!

To be honest I have a feeling I hit some loose gravel, car made a similar sound when driving back from a grass parking area to metaled road.

Still won't stop me checking the car for the next week!

Hewesy

you'll know if you hit the sump on the ground trust me

makes quite a loud clang

Are there mud flaps on your estate? Might have been them scraping the ground?

Thanks - yes it was more a mud flap scrape than anything else.

I'm sure I don't have mud flaps, but you've made me need to double check now!

Cheers,

Hewesy

Also could have a little rock stuck in the brakes, that sounds awful too but then you'd notice that a lot more

happened to me in my estate when pulling over onto a grass verge by the side of a mates house, i believe it was just the bottom of the suspenson thingymejiggery, just the angle i went over it at...

Cheers, yes it was more alarming to hear than anything else - car is running fine since (always a bonus!!).

I have a sneaky feeling it may have been the ABS "grabbing" then releasing a rear wheel when it locked up on loose gravel... That could always be complete bananas though!!

Hewesy

If I hit a pothole or go over a bumpy my car is REALLY crashy, it makes me cringe:eek: Not sure if some better dampers are needed:confused: Glad to hear yours doesn't sound too major though.