triumphs
[Top] [All Lists]

Re: "clunk on fast acceleration"

To: Ken Streeter <streeter@sanders.com>
Subject: Re: "clunk on fast acceleration"
From: "Dennis F. Kimberlin" <dkimberl@ops.org>
Date: Mon, 18 May 1998 16:17:02 -0500
Cc: scott suhring <suhring@lancnews.infi.net>, triumphs@Autox.Team.Net
Organization: North High School, Omaha Public Schools Omaha, NE
References: <355F241E.7043@lancnews.infi.net> <35600F92.A8C31E86@sanders.com>
Ken Streeter wrote:
> 
> scott suhring wrote:
> 
> > Anyway, have noticed quit some time now (and tonight) that if
> > I quickly accelerate (off the blocks so to speak) in first and
> > more pronounced in second, I get a "clunk" which sounds like
> > it is coming from the driver's side rear wheel well. If I more
> > conservatively accelerate there is no sound. The sound appears
> > to me to be as though something is grabbing to engage.
> 
> Scott,
> 
> Do you get the sound only once per occurrence?  That is,
> the sound is a single "clunk" immediately after you apply
> power in second (or first) rather than a rapidly repeating
> "clunk-clunk-clunk-clunk".
> 
> If so, it is most likely that you have a worn u-joint.  Given
> where the sound seems to be coming from, it is most likely to
> be the driver's side outer u-joint.  This is not too bad to
> replace.  I would highly suggest that you check all 6 of them
> (two per half-axle, and two on the driveshaft) while you
> are down there.  If not the u-joint, I would consider a few
> other alternatives, in order of likelihood:  the diff mounts
> (better check these anyway, while the car is up in the air),
> the rear axle (differential), and the transmission.
> 
> However, from the description, I'd lay strong odds on it being
> a u-joint starting to fail.  If you are only just starting
> to notice it, you probably have 2-3k more miles before it fails
> completely, but it is much easier on the other drivetrain
> components if you replace the failing u-joint sooner, rather
> than later.
> 
> --ken
> '70 & '74 TR6 Daily Drivers, one with a failing u-joint...
> 
> --
> Kenneth B. Streeter         | EMAIL: streeter@sanders.com
> Sanders, PTP2-A001          |
> PO Box 868                  | Voice: (603) 885-9604
> Nashua, NH 03061            | Fax:   (603) 885-0631
Scott,
Ken's right on.  Also, don't overlook the trailing strut (goes from the
front of the axle to the frame.)  If the bolt is loose, it will clunk
and widen the hole making the clunk louder as the hole gets out of
round.  This is probably not the problem, but is worth checking anyway.
Dennis
75 SPIT
Omaha, NE

<Prev in Thread] Current Thread [Next in Thread>