fiestaturbo.com

[16VSi]

Had a strut brace fitted on Friday.

Since it was fitted when accelerating quite hard in 1st or 2nd, I get a loud vibrating or knocking noise from the nearside front wheel. Only lasts up until about 40 mph or so.

Any idea what it could be?

Could it be a engine mount problem? Or maybe the inner arch liners have moved somehow?

Any help or advice appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

[DaveZetec]

sure it isnt the inlet fannymould nocking on the brace? Des had that problem when he put one on my old Si.

HTH
dave

[16VSi]

sure it isnt the inlet fannymould nocking on the brace?

I'll have a look Dave, cheers.

Does m a n i f o l d come out as fannymould or is that just what we're calling it now?

[BOB.T]

That sounds like a possible cause but, where did you get it from and how much was it? I assume it is a Fiesta?

Cheers:)

[16VSi]

It's the Sparco chrome one. About £90 from X-Factor.

Had it well over a year, just hadn't got round to having it fitted until now.

It is a Fiesta. 1995 1600 Zetec 16VSi.

[BOB.T]

Thanks for that, I have the same car! I've been wondering about getting a brace for mine as it looks like my turrets have been moving around, all the sealer is cracked and moving away:D

[thehuzman]

Dude you got to the bottom of this yet?
Make sure you show it off next time I we meet up.

[dee 2i]

as they make the car more rigid be careful about the bumps and stuff in the road as i know a welder who has to weld quite a few cars that have had struts fitted and have ripped off the top mounts.
But might be the top of the engine vibrating on it as u accelerate? dont know much bout Si's so probably way off.

[Xr_Dub]

sounds like ure engine mounts going!

[16VSi]

Dude you got to the bottom of this yet?
Make sure you show it off next time I we meet up.

No but the noise is alot quieter now, so I'm not really that bothered.

I think it may be the inlet manifold, but I'm going to do a few tests using carefully positioned blue tac and see what I come up with.

It actually looks pretty rubbish too, I think strut braces probably only look good when surrounded by loads of shiney chrome, alloy etc.

[andyhardy]

Usually caused by top left of the inlet manifold on Zetec's rubbing against the strut brace.

Des has taken his off and not bothered but he suspected that his top mount is a bit knackered and may be causing excessive rocking of the manifold forward.

I'll ask him to reply on this tomorrow.

Cheers,

Andy

[EvilDes]

Strange, I NEVER come into this forum. Andy hasnt mentioned replying to this either.

Anyways, yeah, I have took mine off now, thanks to the inlet manifold touching the strut brace (pics are still in my gallery). The noise from it was unbearable when it was on, basically because the engine being in connection to the chassis, and I also did get a slight knocking sound when I drove it.

The car is going for a full service and MOT on Thursday, so I will get them to check the engine mounts over, but Im pretty certain thats whats causing the problem. When I accelerate hard, the car kinda drifts to the left, then off the accelerator it drifts to the right. Seems to be gettin worse too. Once its sorted though, I will be putting the strut brace back on, as the handling was great!