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  • scumdog
    Super-Experienced

    • May 12 2006
    • 1528

    Suspension noise mystery

    Hi all, I know it's a bit of a task to figure out what the noise sounds like from my description but here goes I will do my best.

    In the last couple of thousand miles on our 66 Thunderbird has been making an unusual noise which appears to be related to the front suspension.
    It can't be provoked i.e. we can't get it to do it on demand but the noise seems to happen when going down over a slight bump say when leaving the driveway onto the street or sometimes just going into a tight curve, I THINK from memory left-hand curves.

    The noise is a sharp clunk/click, it you gave a suspension arm a light tap with a hammer I think it would make a similar noise and is not constant.

    It doesn't happen when stationary and you swing the steering wheel from side to side

    It doesn't happen when the brakes are applied.

    Bouncing the front up and down manually doesn't cause the noise.

    Driving down the highway there's no noise unless I hit a shallow pot-hole.

    I've had a similar noise from a car that didn't have an engine mount cinched tight


    I had my main mechanic go through the front end, he said it all looks fine and he couldn't get it to make the noise. (He works on all the 'Yank Tanks' in the town and is a hands-on guy).

    Any guesses?
    A Thunderbirder from the Land of the Long White Cloud.
  • simplyconnected
    Administrator
    • May 26 2009
    • 8779

    #2
    Two things come to mind. One is obvious; check your stop on the spindle by turning all the way right, then bounce the front. Repeat with the wheel to the left. The RH spindle stops going right and the LH spindle stops to the left. Also look at your tires for witness marks.

    Have you had work done recently? If so, follow those clues. Here's my second suggestion... With the car sitting normally, kneel down as you face the hubcap. Grab your front tire by the top and give it a violent shake. I have had wheel bearings that were loose. It happened because someone (could have been me) didn't drive the races all the way home. So, tightening the spindle nut to the proper touch bit me in the butt. Now, I spin the wheel and crank on the spindle nut until it stops HARD. Then, I back the nut off. If the races can move, they will and they will seat properly.

    Also, check your ball joints for slop and your stabilizer bar linkage. Wait a minute, you have those rubber mounted struts, right? Check for worn rubber donuts where they connect to the frame member. - Dave
    Last edited by simplyconnected; April 21, 2017, 03:36 AM.
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    • bird 60
      Super-Experienced
      • Mar 18 2009
      • 1144

      #3
      Also check your wishbone bolts.

      Chris......From OZ.

      Comment

      • OX1
        Super-Experienced
        • Feb 10 2016
        • 557

        #4
        If it is really a metal clunk vs a squeak, not sure I'd
        be driving it around too much more, unless just
        diagnosing.

        Even if it's not something that could cause immediate
        failure and be a safety problem, it could be something
        significantly wearing every time it happens.

        I'd start with a full exhaust inspection. Those noises
        are really finicky upon when they happen sometimes
        and sound much worse than they are when exh hits
        anything on susp or frame.

        Next I would have someone watching entire steering
        and suspension while you steer lock to lock.
        Steering while not moving puts a pretty good load on
        all the steering components and suspension. Look for
        something that does not move smooth or jumps part
        way through.

        Worst case, get a cheap "go-pro" type camera and mount
        it near where you think it is happening. They get used
        all the time, like here.

        BMR Suspension spends tons of time testing for its new products. Here is a look at some of the wheelhop issues being addressed in the all-new 2015 Mustang.
        59-430-HT

        Comment

        • OUR5T8BIRD
          Experienced
          • Mar 1 2017
          • 462

          #5
          Originally posted by scumdog
          Hi all, I know it's a bit of a task to figure out what the noise sounds like from my description but here goes I will do my best.

          In the last couple of thousand miles on our 66 Thunderbird has been making an unusual noise which appears to be related to the front suspension.
          It can't be provoked i.e. we can't get it to do it on demand but the noise seems to happen when going down over a slight bump say when leaving the driveway onto the street or sometimes just going into a tight curve, I THINK from memory left-hand curves.

          The noise is a sharp clunk/click, it you gave a suspension arm a light tap with a hammer I think it would make a similar noise and is not constant.

          It doesn't happen when stationary and you swing the steering wheel from side to side

          It doesn't happen when the brakes are applied.

          Bouncing the front up and down manually doesn't cause the noise.

          Driving down the highway there's no noise unless I hit a shallow pot-hole.

          I've had a similar noise from a car that didn't have an engine mount cinched tight


          I had my main mechanic go through the front end, he said it all looks fine and he couldn't get it to make the noise. (He works on all the 'Yank Tanks' in the town and is a hands-on guy).

          Any guesses?
          Experienced this once a long time ago . Found the shock ( may have been right side ) coming loose at the bottom . Tightened the nuts and noice was gone . It is a long shot but worth a check .

          Comment

          • Deanj
            Super-Experienced
            • Nov 26 2015
            • 631

            #6
            Sometimes it's hard to tell noise in the front from the back. I know my occasional clunk is the mufflers hitting the springs or body. I replaced the worn out aftermarket mufflers with Thunderbird mufflers and these had to be tilted to fit between the leaf springs and the 1/4 panel. That means part of the muffler body is visible below the bumper, and these still clunk once in a while going over a bump.

            Dean

            Comment

            • Yadkin
              Banned
              • Aug 11 2012
              • 1905

              #7
              Check the top mounts on the front shocks. These have given me problems in the past when I was less that careful reassembling them. The detailed drawings in my Shop Manual are not correct.
              Attached Files

              Comment

              • scumdog
                Super-Experienced

                • May 12 2006
                • 1528

                #8
                Thanks guys, I will do Daves check of the wheel-bearings and Yadkins check of shocks (I had those 'caps' off to paint them before Yellowbird arrived for his visit).
                I'm pretty sure it's not exhaust but will check.

                The steering and suspension was checked by an experience mechanic (as I mentioned) and he declared it all fine.

                Oh and tyre wear is normal and the noise happens when I'm not on full lock, just turning a bit.
                A Thunderbirder from the Land of the Long White Cloud.

                Comment

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