3.2 DiD S/W year 2013 back end knock knocking

[StuartBowen13]

Our Pajero has done 165,000 ks mainly off road poor roads Lesotho & SA, I have recently noticed a knock on accelerating and De accelerating, especially on smooth roads noise more apparent. On investigation by RDG Boksburg the prop man noticed movement on the top Diiff mountings whilst their driver engaged Drive mode auto & braking to get a rocking Pajero Too & Fro with the Pajero stationary. To replace the 2 top bushes the quote is R21,000 plus R500 labour, the entire dog bone type unite has to be replaced as the bushes are not supplied individually. The movement is slight but I cannot be specific, the technician thinks due to Diff movement of slight up down action could affect pinion in Diff lifting and lowering CV joint in the prop shaft. Could this movement of the Diff be normal ? Could there be another issue if work by RDG was carried out and the knock still persists as 21K seems an awful lot of money and small amount for labour on the quote ? 10 days waiting so far and expected another 4 weeks to deliver the dog bone type twin bushes that is located on the top of the Diiff towards rear end.
Have any of you experienced this before.
I had to drive it home from RDG Boksburg distance of 300 km with slight stress on Friday night, made it home no problems but listened for the odd knock when braking or altering the speed on pretty bad roads between Frankfort & Rietz FS, I have to make a decision whether or not to continue down the RDG road for repairs.
Regards Stu

[KurtG]

I would take it to Arnold at Mitsitech for a second opinion. He’s a specialist and will give you the right advise. He’s in Alberton.

[WayneH]

I would also have a look at the crown nuts on the rear hubs. They tend to come loose over time and with the roads that you have been driving on this could very well be the case. They need to be torqued to about 220 NM from what I can remember. If this doesn’t help go to Mitsitech but it does sound high

[SimphiweB]

Hi StuartBowen13 , at that mileage you should , in theory, expect some rubber bushings to start deteriorating.

The bushes you are refereing to can be bought individually. I refreshed mine not long ago for a fraction of the costs you are quoted.

I bought them from Febest Parts via eBay ( originating from Latvia) and they got delivered very quickly. I have sourced many more bushes and others from them.

I would also look at the bushes for lateral and track control arms, they can cause those knocks.


Mine, Gen 4, 2007 is at 295000, so i've learned to get part numbers from the Dealer and use them to source parts from eBay for close to nothing.

Good luck

[mitsenoj]

So I have indenitical knock from my 2013 LWB - 135 000 km. I took it to a bush specilist and they diagonised it as the 4 bushes on the trailing arms - they cast new Polyurethane bushes (another debate) - price quoted is R5000. Have you sorted your problem out ?

Never had this problem with my prevoius pajero - higher milage

[mitsenoj]

Stop the Press ! - my problem is fixed. Turned out to be as simple as a sightly loose wheel hub nut - (the big one under the dust cover that holds the wheel hub on) - very weird as it was only the left side. On inspection the split ring and retaining nut cover was very new esp. compared to the right wheel which was tight but much older and a bit rusty. All points to someone having done work on the rear in last year -- now that can only be the agents in PE, but strangely no work was ever done on this area as far as I am aware..

Out of interest I did replace the 4 bushes on the diff and the trailing arms - total cost R4,500 whcih seems a bargain compared to Stuarts quote. Huge thanks to Wheeltech in PE for eventualy finding the problem and replacing the bushes. Was actauly easy to find on hoist rolling car back and foward but holding a hand on the rear cv joint at hub.

Hope you have same luck - now what did they do to my hub that I dont know about ?

[StuartBowen13]

Hi to all those folk with replies each explanation/diagnosis so valuable, I really have to say thanks. Yep it was that back LEFT hub 36mm hex head nut I found it finger loose, the nut was backed up hard against the locking castle nut, held on by the split pin. A bit of a struggle to remove the split pin, also splines dirty brown colour, cleaned up & torqued up 220 NM plus new pin from the ancient glory box (priceless) There was merit indicating all bushes though, very slight movement I did see on top diff bushes but no more knocking sounds perfect even when engaging Reverse or Drive as handbrake released, smooth ride. My labour free 50 cents verses the estimate parts quote R21,000 plus labour. The knock on effect could have been a disaster however I will obtain bushes and replace when my ramp is complete. The Right drivers side nut was fine when I checked it for tightness. Regards Stu
PS I sold my old 1994 2800 S/W a few months ago and going strong with happy owner.