DV... Help with a clank clank.....

onefastmustang · #1 (**permalink**) 04-02-2009, 05:23 PM

So i have this issue that has been driving me nuts for months..... literally..

When I drive my CR by myself it almost never happens. But when I have a passenger and under certain cirumcstances I get a clank clank noise out of what I believe is the front right suspension. It only happens on really bumpy roads or when taking a left up an incline road near my house...

I have been under the car, looked for loose bolts, nuts, shocks... Everything I can think of that could be clanking around.. Got any ideas?? run into this before??

rustyBob · #2 (**permalink**) 04-02-2009, 06:25 PM

Maybe.......a bad ball joint????? grab the top of the tire and shake the front wheel in and out and listen for the clunk or pull the front wheel and see if you can move the spindle in and out to see if the ball joint has slop in it . Sounds like you checked just about everything else so the ball joint may be the problem.......good luck

cdnus · #3 (**permalink**) 04-02-2009, 07:36 PM

Best way to check the ball joints is to jack up the suspect side so the wheel is off the ground & then put a block under the control arm At the most outward position you can, then lower the jack so the block will support the weight of the car while the wheel is still off the ground.
This will unload the ball joint & allow you to slip a lever (board) under the tire & lift up & down while watching the ball joint.

Craig

Double Venom · #4 (**permalink**) 04-02-2009, 09:04 PM

O.F.M..,
Nope, but this one should be easy...., Suspension? Stock M-II, Coilovers? Rear shocks-Coil overs? Ball joint - front bearing loose? Good place to start.
DV

onefastmustang · #5 (**permalink**) 04-02-2009, 09:07 PM

All of the suspension is new tubular, QA1 coilovers and springs, all new joints.. I will have to jack it up tommorow and mess with it some more.

mrbones · #6 (**permalink**) 04-02-2009, 11:17 PM

Are you using alignment savers on your front suspension? Alignment Saver

I had a clunk and a little jerk in the steering wheel each time I would back out of the garage, and on that first foreward stop. This drove me crazy for several months.

After going over every nut and bolt in my front end, I finally found that the saver bracket on the drivers side had some very loose mounting bolts. I guess that my alignment guy either didn't know about them, or forgot to tighten them.

I smoked em down, and that solved my mystery. Hope this helps!!

Double Venom · #7 (**permalink**) 04-03-2009, 03:57 AM

O.F.M.,
I have heard of and seen more than one a "COIL OVER" that was was not adjusted tight enough allowing the spring to "slap" its cap. Usually not heard at speed. But can male a heck iof a racket when it's associated wheel suddenly moves upwards casuing the spring to smack its hat! ??
DV

wicked fast · #8 (**permalink**) 04-03-2009, 06:45 AM

Ed,

Thanks man.

I am having the same kind of noise from the rear of my Mid-States.

Look's like I need to check the coil overs.

Best,
BC

Double Venom · #9 (**permalink**) 04-03-2009, 07:39 AM

O.F.M.,
One more likely cause is the (Left) front wheel bearing isn't torqued enough, allowing latteral movent in the wheel? This you check by simply taking the weight off the wheels)
in the front of course and see if you can move them at all, in and out.
DV

tcrist · #10 (**permalink**) 04-03-2009, 09:02 AM

I just installed the alignment savers. As per DV'S alway's great information, I am going to weld them to the frame. After alignment I am going to use a jam nut to lock the bolts going thru the A-arm. Nothing should come loose that way.

Terry

onefastmustang · #11 (**permalink**) 04-12-2009, 01:36 PM

So it seems that my right bottom ball joint was damaged.. I pulled the whole suspension off yesterday to check everything over. I put a new one in and the clank seems to be gone. Yay.. Off for a drive..

rustyBob · #12 (**permalink**) 04-12-2009, 06:56 PM

good to hear you found the problem before it became more than a clank.....happy motoring