Gluk currently leads by 3-0

It is sad to say, all the repairs to date has yet to resolve this problem. I could feel that it much less obvious now thanks to the  new engine mounts but the gluk gluk gluk sound is still there.

The latest thing i notice is that the alignment is slightly off. :-?

Just had the alignment done right before getting the engine mounts changed. A surprising turn of events was I got a call from TC. They called to check if the car was ok.. I told them the problem was still there and they offered to have me bring the car in for further diagnosis. 

??!!??!?? 

Why so helpful all of a sudden? They almost refuse to entertain me earlier, I had to ask the right questions and be in the workshop to check on the things myself when the car was sent in for other jobs.... hmmmm.....

Anyway back to the problem at hand. Here are some new observations. As bumps are a plenty in the office, i realised these :-

1. Taking bumps head on fast or slow does not yield that gluk sound
2. Taking on bumps slowly while turning will yield the sound. (This is when one tyre moves up first then followed by the tyre from the other side.

I think I'm closer to solving this. Just hope the parts that I replaced recently don't get damage again with problem at hand.

The Gluk-Gluk Strikes Back !!

Damn ! The Gluk-Gluk is still there. What on earth is causing it??!!?!??!!! Arrrgh!!!

I was at Queensbay Mall for lunch. Parked the car at the open air carpark. The place was filled with pot holes and bumps. Totally uneven terrain. Was driving  S L O W L Y to navigate the best path out and then it happened. Gluk... Gluk.... Gluk.... when i passed moved over bumps and potholes that made the car ride up one side after another... 

My observation so far :-

1. No more gluk gluk sound when driving on tar road or in the apartment compound (maybe its unnoticable?)
2. Gluk sound damn obvious when driving in VERY uneven terrain
3. The vehicle feels more responsive. Less idle time between throttling and the car doing something (maybe its just my butt?)
4. Fuel gauge seems to be moving slower than before (but that could be the weather and the highway travels...hmm..)

What else could be broken?

1. Links?
2. Stabilizer bar?
3. Connecting Rods?
4. Ball Joint?

I am lost at this point. Need to go back and do more research and a better mechanic to help me diagnose this. 

Out comes the old engine mountings

Finally got the my X-trail back at 2pm. The car spent 1.5 days at Tan Chong. It was ready in the car park but no one called me >_< . Luckily I decided to stop over after lunch. Caught them unprepared. Documents were not ready. 

They included 2 "missing" clips for my air filter intake which so happen to be secured properly by cable tie when I sent the car in. They wanted to charge me RM4.50 for each of those clip when I already had a bag of those under the arm rest. I had them take it out and replaced it with my own on the spot. =P

Anyway back to the mountings and all the gluk gluk sound...

Here are the old ones. There are some serious cracks in each one of them. Luckily I purchased and had all four of the mountings replaced. I've marked the fault areas on the mounts. Please click on the  image for a better view of the mounting faults.

Rear mounting - Visible cracks.

Front mounting - Slight crack and material fatigue.

Left hand mounting - Visible cracks. 

Right hand mounting - Small cracks are starting to appear.

I am seriously wondering where on earth did the previous owner drag the X-trail through. This is a 2003 model. Its only been like 5 years. Maybe it was 5 years of neglect?

Anyway back to the topic of gluk.. Will this solve that annoying gluk-gluk sound thats been bothering me? I still can't tell through the preliminary tests. I'll probably conclude it after a week or so after the brain overcomes the euphoric phase of replacing a new part in the X-trail.

Fingers crossed everyone !!

Taukeh! Ori one ar?

A man walks into a spare part shop to buy some spare parts for his beloved Nissan.

Man: Boss! I want to buy this spare part. Got ar? (shows him a sample)

Shop Owner : This part ar... (looks at the part).. Got.. Got...

Man: How much ar?

Shop Owner: Which type you want?

Man: Got how many type?

Shop Owner:

Many lor... Count oso kenot finish..

Got ori one lar got fake one lar..

Tis one ori local one.. ori Tan Chong, tat one is ori local one but ciplak one har...

Man: Why u say ciplak one. Got Nissan sticker. Made in Japan some more.

Shop Owner: Well you know la.. Everyone want to do business ma.

Man: Wah Lau eh.... I don't want ciplak one. Susah later.

Shop Owner:

No worry one, the local one can use oso.. cheap cheap.. just quality so so nia.

Since u like tat ar.. i recommend you buy ori Japan one.

Japan one all good good one. Garantee no problem.

Tis one Ori Tan Chong Japan one..

Tis one Ori Japan but not Tan Chong one..

Man: Huh?

Shop Owner:

Dun worry.. all oso Nissan one.. ori one.. no problem.

Take Japan one sui sui lasting longer than local one

If part got problem you take come back. Settle for you.

Man: Wah... so many types.. pening d....

New: Engine Mounting

I bought new engine mounts for my X-trail few days ago. Cost me RM725 for all four. Going to take the car back to TCEAS for installation. Over the phone they said it will cost me RM152 and it will take 2 days !!??!?! The Chief Mech Zam said the X-trail requires careful calibration and measurement after installation.. betul ke ni? 

Making the appointment tomorrow hehe.

Gluk sound - Your days are numbered !!

Tyre Shop

We often go to tyre shops for 3 things

1. Balancing and Wheel Alignment
2. Tyre related issues (Tyre replacement, Puncture, Nitrogen Gas)
3. Battery Replacement/Charge
4. Maintenance Related (Major and Minor)

In the old days, tyre shops could survive by just providing tyre and battery services. Hence most shops will have its name as Kedai so and so Tyre and Battery. Nowadays its not unfamiliar that they start to provide maintenance related services to make ends meet.
Below are some of the shops I frequent. They charge the standard price for balancing and alignment. For those shopping for tyres, ask around, prices differ from shop to shop.

Chang Soon Tyre Service (Show in Google Map)
Sungai Ara, Penang
Tel: 04-6448043
Recommend: Balancing & Alignment, Minor Maintenance
*Note: Chief mechanic (Ah Heng) specializes in Peugeot cars
*Note: They screwed my LCA bush installation as they did not know there were orientation markers. Ignorant or careless ?
PENANG

Siang Sin Tyre (Show in Google Map)
Bukit Jambul, Penang
Tel: 04-6465891

Pusat Tayar Dan Bateri Relau 

(Big Bridgestone shop opposite school)

Recommended for simple maintenance and replacement job - mekanik bawah pokok charge

IPOH

Weng Heong (FALKEN)- On my ban list !

Along Kuala Kangsar Road coming down from Jelapang

If you insist on going... beware. They stock GAB and plenty of KYB.

KUANTAN

OK Tyres

Padang Lallang, Kuantan (Opposite Kuantan Engineering)

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