There is a bit of a "thud" when I put My Townace into drive. Also when I have stopped, and release my foot from the brake the same thud is felt. It's not a serious THUD just a bit concerning in case it progresses into something seriously expensive.Gearbox oil level is fine.(checked in Park with engine at idle)Any advice? - (#1111) Jeff Willcott, 21 Sep 01
check for play in the driveshaft joints, check security of driveshaft flange bolts.
HTH - (#1115) David Miller, 21 Sep 01
yep, I seem to get the same thing. Typically after deceleration to a stop at lights, with footbrake applied, then when pulling away a gentle "thud" . . - like a gentle kick up the bum. Have had it checked by my local bloke and he says it's not the dif nut. If Dave Miller is right and it still is the nut - or play in the diff it must be shot already to give this degree of free rotation in which case i'll wait for it to fail and then fix it as I still have the front axle to drive if required. The fault can be magnified by keeping foot on footbrake, reving the engine and selecting first FWD then REV. It can be reduced by selecting 4WD. Logically this would point to slack in the rear drive train. Option 2 - I also wonder if it is play in the control arms that restrain diff rotation. There are two, one each side of the diff and they oppose each other. Likewise I have left it to get worse if it wants to, (if not broke don't fix it philosophy) - If mine blows up i'll email you . .!
Mark - (#1150) Mark Adams, 29 Sep 01
Thanks for the replys to David and Mark,what a fantastic web site this is! Unfortunately I don't have the luxury of 4WD, so if mine goes I'm in deep expense.If I lay under the vehicle and get someone I trust(not the Wife!) to select drive I can see the prop shaft rotate about 1/16th of a turn. Don't know if that is significant or not, all bolts appear to be tight. I wondered if the tick over may be a bit fast? In park it ticks over at 800 RPM and in Drive at idle 700RPM, is that correct, it does'nt sound as if it idles too fast? - (#1151) Jeff Willcott, 29 Sep 01
Yup, try the big nut on the pinion of the diff. Could also be the halfshaft splines. What miles, BTW? If the propshaft turns, it indicates play aft of the propshaft. Unlikely to be the control arm bushes, though. - (#1154) david Miller, 29 Sep 01
I've had a look at the prop-shaft and diff again, excuse my ignorance, but I can't see a nut on the diff only a filler and a drain plug. Do I have to actually take something to bits to see this "big nut on the pinion of the diff"? there is absolutely no movement when trying to turn the prop shaft by hand, the universal joints are fine.As to the milage it has 91,000km on the clock and looking at the overall condition of the vehicle I recon it's correct. What's BTW? Bit's That Wobble? By the way while I was admiring 'her' underside, I noticed there is no underseal. Is that normal? Should I consider some protection from the British weather? Finally where is the drain for the radiator? I assume of the 3 radiators under there it's the one nearest the engine. - (#1155) Jeff Willcott, 29 Sep 01
Yes, the big nut resides under the flange that the propshaft bolts on to. Take out the four bolts and drop the shaft.
BTW- By The Way...
Jap market vehicles have no underseal- no salt on their roads
Each of the rads(2) has a drain. It's a small white plastic butterfly tap. - (#1158) David Miller, 1 Oct 01
I dropped the prop, the nut is tight. Putting my ear on the diff I can hear a knock when moving the flange back and forth. Looks like it's a worn Half Shaft. Thanks for the help. - (#1199) Jeff Willcott, 8 Oct 01
Halfshaft or play in the diff itself, I wouldn't worry unduly about either. - (#1208) David Miller, 9 Oct 01
can anyone help me. I recently brought a town ace
auto efi E reg. When i put it into drive or reverse
i sometimes get a large thud, i have checked the prop shaft
and fluid, they are ok. Is there anything else it might be.
- (#6519) paul myatt, 24 Dec 02
play in propshaft or engine mount, or loose flexplate? A change of fluid and checking the adjustment of the kickdown cable might help tho.
After that it's tranny problems, although it's not unusual for them to do it sometimes. Nothing to panic about.
- (#6520) david miller, 24 Dec 02
Thanks for the reply, but what is a flexplate?
- (#6656) Paul Myatt, 6 Jan 03
It would be the flywheel in a manual car- the disc connecting the crankshaft to the torque converter
- (#6657) david miller, 6 Jan 03