Strange noise. Gearbox ?

[Martinez]

My 2001 Berlingo 2.0 hdi has always had a strange noise on left hand side whilst under load. Sounds like the gearbox. Not the usual knock or click of a CV joint, but it may be. I’ve no idea. It sounds worse when turning left uphill and accelerating.
Any ideas guys ? All gears change fine n no issues and nothing really audible in a straight line or on motorway.
It’s actually a Motorhome and has covered 180K+ miles. Well maintained and runs like a Swiss watch.
But I’m worried about going away incase it breaks down. If anyone can throw some light on this I’d be very grateful

[RichardW]

Wheel bearing or inner triax joint or diff bearing?

[Martinez]

Thanks for the options. The sound is certainly like failing bearing but how do I check the options you’ve mentioned ?
Guess the wheel bearing is easiest but how do I check diff bearings ? And what’s the triax joint ?

[RichardW]

Tri ax is the inner joint on the drive shaft. Wheel bearing normally makes a continuous whining / droning noise, increasing with speed, sometimes lessening / increasing on cornering. Diff bearings don't usually give trouble on these boxes, but it has done a fair few miles. Would really need to get it on a ramp and run it, then listen to the various bits with a stethoscope to see where the noise is coming from.

[Martinez]

Tbh my first thought was drive shaft cv. The noise certainly gets worse the more you turn left when accelerating. Obviously going up hill and turning left it’s worse still.
Shame I’ve just replaced the front lower ball joint boot for MOT as I could have pulled the driveshaft to get it checked out. I’ll get it MOTd on Monday then look at biting the bullet and getting it checked out.
I’m not sure if it’s a replacement engine as it runs really quiet and burns no oil. But the one previous owner really looked after it, it was only when told it was scrap due to amount of rot at the rear that he gave up on it and bought another. I had to build a new rear cross member and weld it all back together. But it was worth it

[RichardW]

Normally CV failure is a very distinctive clicking noise - but I had one fail that just suddenly started making a horrible noise. When I took the boot off it was full of oily water....!

[Martinez]

Having driven van back from MOT today, there is a definite clicking noise on nearside (left). Tester said he thinks CV joint too. So advice required re fix.
Either buy new driveshaft off eBay for £40 or buy new CV joints n replace old ones ?
Another option is to pull the rubber boots of to check if joint is dry, repack with grease and try it. It’s worked for me in the past, just depends how worn out it is I think

[RichardW]

If it's clicking there will be a groove worn in the track and no amount of greasing will quieten it. Have a look at J and R - their joints ( and shafts) are very reasonable.