Bear with the odd ball question - I've been chasing an annoying low frequency clunk noise coming from the rear end area, like under the rear seats, usually when the disco is first driven on a cold morning. I checked and re-checked seemingly every fastener down under there. I replaced all the suspension rubber bits a couple months ago, along with all the exhaust hangers. Then today I was swapping out the spare wheel to fix a flat and noticed the rear brake rotor hold down screw was fully unseated. I wondered if that might be the cause of the noise since it's in the exact area I suspected, but wouldn't the force of the rotor being sandwiched between the wheel and hub keep it firmly in place? Or would there be just a bit of play possible when it's cold out? IDK

 

That screw is absolutely irrelevant...unless it is so far out that it prevents the wheel from seating completely. But, if that were the case you should notice some wobble in that wheel. I don't think that is your issue.

 

That’s what I thought of course, but I’m at the end of my rope chasing this sound so had to start asking the *really* newb questions. Haha. Thanks for bearing with my desperation 😂

 

Is it a clunk like drive line slack? P38/D2's can clunk when you go from P to D when the axle splines engage. LR's TSB for it back in the day on P38's = Green Loctite to the axle splines!!!!!!!!!!! Ouch.... RR customers where complaining about the clunk so LR came up with the Green Loctite solution.... It certainly got rid of the clunk lol but wow servicing that in the future = pure nightmare for sure.

 

No, it's while I'm driving through the neighborhood, engine under load or not, when going over any irregularities on the road. But it takes VERY little to make the knocking sound occur. It sounds exactly like a loose rear diff counterweight bouncing around, but I checked it and it's not that, or like a loose damper bolt, but not that either.

 

@Brandon318 Rear drive shaft well greased? And a check your shocks and springs you could have a bad shock bushing

 

Heat shields can make funky noises too, if a bit loose.

 

I always grease it at every oil change but didn't this last one. I doubt missing one cycle would do anything but ya know... worth a shot! haha.

I'll check shock bushes too. They're pretty new-ish, but they're also Terrafirma so who knows. Will report back.

 

Well damn... you nailed it. It tore and is vibrating against the nut. Any ideas on how to fix? First thought was a shot of expanding foam behind the heat shield to tension it down against the nut. Any issues with water and rusting that way?

 

@Brandon318 expoy and 2 big washers,one on either side of the damaged section. Epoxy the washers in place then bolt it back down. High heat resistance epoxy obviously.