Front end noise - v40 2000 2.0L
 

Hi!

Recently became an owner of a 2000 v40, 2.0 litres, manual transmission, no turbo. After two weeks the front end starting making a noise. The noise is rhythmically syncronized with the speed of driving.

The noise started after engine breaking (I stepped off the gas pedal at highway speed). It has come and gone several times. It can suddenly disappear, then come back again. Please watch the videos below.

Any ideas about what might be causing this noise?

Video of noise when stepping of gas pedal

The sound changes character when I press the clutch pedal. It becomes more muffled.

Video of noise when engaging the clutch

The noise is present at all speeds. Here is an example while driving slowly in first gear.

Video of noise at slow speed

Does it happen when you are not driving and the engine is idling, or if you rev it?

No, it only happens when the car is in motion. The noise is not constantly there while driving either but will appear intermitttently/randomly.

Loose or broken drop link(s) possibly?

Originally I was thinking bottom end bearings in teh engine, but since you don't get the noise when driving, we can rule that out.

I am not sure what the problem is

I do get the noise while driving, but not all the time. Never had any noise when standing still and idling.

Maybe? However, the mechanic did not find any. Shouldn’t it make a noise constantly if it was a broken drop link?

Could the noise have something to do with the CV joints? I'm perhaps thinking inner joints here. The noise did not change character depending on which way I turned the wheels. No noise at idle when standing still.

Here are some photos of the CV joints and the driveshaft support bearing. Tell me what you think. Click on the pictures for a larger image.

Driver's side inner joint:
https://thumb.ibb.co/foKiJ7/IMG_0210.jpg

Driver's side outer joint:
https://thumb.ibb.co/n7a15n/IMG_0211.jpg

Passanger's side driveshaft into transmission:
https://thumb.ibb.co/jixQWS/IMG_0215.jpg

Driveshaft support bearing:
https://thumb.ibb.co/cCWVy7/IMG_0216.jpg

Passenger's side outer joint:
https://thumb.ibb.co/npzTkn/IMG_0220.jpg

Passenger's side inner joint:
https://thumb.ibb.co/hkziJ7/IMG_0224.jpg

Video of driveshaft play

Or could it be caused by play in a motor mount?

Video of noise in passenger's side motor mount when rocking the engine by hand

It crossed my mind that it could be the driveshaft. I would suspect more the driveshaft, than the CV joint though.

Ok, what makes you suspect the driveshaft?