Strange Behavior

[Jhalsey]

I am doing some engine work on my 1989 930 and drove it today to breakfast. When leaving the restaurant, I was backing up with the steering wheel at nearly full lock and I felt and heard a clunk from the front and as I backed up further I heard it again. Also, for awhile now the car has been feeling weird during parking. It’s as though the tires were being dragged instead of rolling. A kind of scrapping sound. I attributed it to the tires, though still with plenty of tread, being 15 years old. So i just replaced the tires with new Bridgestone Potenza Sports in original 16” sizes. But the parking lot behaviour is still weird. Clunks and the sensation of the tires dragging as I’m turning at low speed.

The car is lowered maybe 1” perhaps a little more via adjusting the torsion bars. Never scrapes and rides nice and handles well. So I put it up on my lift this afternoon and inspected the front suspension. Checked for anything loose or broken that might explain the clunks and the dragging. Everything looked normal to my eye. I tried to move the front struts, tie rods, sway bar, everything was solid. Removed the wheels and ran the steering lock to lock, no noises or abnormal sounds. Replaced the wheels and spun them. No noises and no noticeable play in the wheel bearings. The clunks occurred after I had stopped turning the steering wheel so I’m guessing its not the steering rack.

Any ideas what might be the cause of the clunks and the dragging/scraping of the tires?

Thanks in advance.

[Alan L]

Loose/worn ball joint, or more likely, worn rubber bush in the A arms? Then the arm flips out of place under strain? Either way, I doubt it is a biggie - likely easily solved once diagnosed.
How did you go with your engine issues? Lost track - been on the road with the race car last few weeks.
Alan

[Alan L]

The other possibilty is the front sway bar cocking in a worn rubber bush.
Alan