[Shotimes] Front Right Clunk with lots of diagnosis
Eric Wieland
ewieland@mchsi.com
Sat, 28 Jan 2006 11:40:55 -0600
In November, I took my 93 ATX SHO off the road to do rod bearings and
several other maintenance items. The SHO did not clunk prior to me taken it
off the road and tearing it apart.
I now have a definite clunk from the front right side of the when turning
right. I have performed repeated teardown inspections of the right front
suspension and found nothing that raises a flag. I can definitely feel
movement through the steering wheel and the steering wheel is not always
square even though the car tracks straight. Almost like a moving alignment
which goes back to something being loose up front.
The parts that I worked on/replaced that relates to this issue are:
1. New aluminum subframe bushings (old stock ones were shot)
2. F and R ATX re-enforced motor mounts (old stock ones were shot)
3. I also took a different ATX subframe from another car and had it bead
blasted and painted with POR-15.
4. I replaced both A arms and strut rods with Moog units
5. I also used TPR bushings everywhere.
6. I used a Moog problem solver kit to replace both strut rod mounts on the
subframe since the welds on mine were broken (very common)
http://www.federal-mogul.com/fmeconnect/technicalservices/downloads/2077.pdf
7. I also replaced both inner and other tie rods with Moog units.
8. Installed 24mm sway bar with new TPR bushings
9. Installed composite sway bar links
10. I have checked the torque on the subframe bolts on multiple occasions
I wish that I could observe the suspension while the car is moving to see
and feel what could be making this disconcerting sound. There are times when
it does not clunk and others when it feels like it is falling apart.
I had the front right wheel bearing replaced right after a winter run with
the Texas guys in 2003. I have had the SHO aligned twice after my reassemble
and the shop (knows SHO's well) can not find any issues either.
Please help me start in a direction. I am think that it is either the
spindle lifting off the ball joint (read elsewhere about this happening) or
that something is not right with the front right strut assembly (I did not
tear the strut assemble apart, but I wonder if it somehow go screwed up in
the process). The struts are Tockio and the springs are Eibach with less
than 20,000 with police mounts. How do I check the strut/spring assembly
again?
Thank you,
Eric