knock

[Alpine]

Hi all. I can still hear a knocking sound when I'm coming on and off the clutch in low gears. In fact I think I can hear it when I start the engine. It sounds like something against the bulkhead, but I could be imagining that.

I've now changed the top engine mount, gearbox mount and the one on the driver's side that mounts to the subframe. The only ones I've not changed are the two big ones under the engine. When I looked at them they looked fresh, didn't look damaged, although there is nothing in the service history to say they have been changed.

Is a knock a symptom of a failure of one/both of the two large mounts? I understand they are difficult to change?

I've not changed the bar that connects the top mount to the bulkhead.

Any thoughts?

[ITSv40]

When you changed the top mount did you also change the small mount that attaches to the bulkhead. If not, I would change that first. Only a small mount, but needs the wipers and bulkhead plastic panel removing to get to the bolts.

[Alpine]

Originally Posted by ITSv40

When you changed the top mount did you also change the small mount that attaches to the bulkhead. If not, I would change that first. Only a small mount, but needs the wipers and bulkhead plastic panel removing to get to the bolts.

cheers, is there a guide on how to do that? It sounds tricky!

[ITSv40]

Originally Posted by Alpine

cheers, is there a guide on how to do that? It sounds tricky!

It is quite straightforward. I removed the wiper arms and then undo the screws holding the scuttle panel on - they are all visible and stand up on little turrets. Pull the panel down and away from the bottom of the screen and lift off the car. Some will say you can just lift the plastic up to gain access, but I wouldn't risk cracking 25 year old brittle plastic. Also with the panel removed it is an opportunity to vacuum the debris out from underneath and change the pollen filter at the same time. The mount is all visible once the panel is out of the way.

[volvo again]

Also, while you have the scuttle panel off, it may be an idea to check the four bolts thao hold the dashboard in place are tight (but not overtight) especially if you have any creaks from the dash

[Alpine]

turns out my knock was coming from the engine mount that sits on top of the engine, which I had changed a few months ago. The bar that attaches to it seemed to be moving around a lot, and when I tried to tighten the nut/bolt that holds the bar to the mount it could be tightened a little.

There still seems to be some movement in the bar, mainly from side to side. Is that normal or is the bar meant to be fixed solid?