Clunck from rear suspension

[JCFL]

Hello Guys,

Thanks to all for greatest forum. I am pencil pusher at day, but have become relatively good around the car (1984 911 Carrera) with all your help.

Even managed two years ago to drop down engine and replace broken clutch - all my friends are amazed that I succeeded because never done much mechanical work before. With 101 projects and Bentley, and THIS forum, it went very well.

Anyway, car is stored away for winter and I have no access to it for another month. I want to order some parts from our host (ahead of time so that I am ready when the car is accessible).

Last summer, started to hear a " clunk " noise from the rear of the car when driving slow and hitting some small bumps. As far as I can tell, my shocks are still good because I cannot press down the car (when at rest) with my 200 lbs body. There is no movement whatsoever, and the car is very comfortable to drive.

From all the posts I have read, it appears to me that the culprit are my rear sway bar bushings (page 158 101 projects, picture no. 2). Is this likely guys ? i would like to order replacement now - a kit of 4 is not that expensive, but I do not like to order parts for nothing.

Your opinions are most appreciated. I am in eastern Canada - we had 14 feet of snow this year. About half is still on the ground, so I will have to wait at least another month before I can get access to the Porsche and bring it home for some spring preparation.

[JCFL]

Thanks in advance.

By the way, according to 101 projects, this would be easy project. I hope so. Anyone disagrees ?

[Aurel]

I had the same issue on my 78SC. It was not the sway bar bushings, but the bushings in the sway bar drop links. You should check those too.

[Tigerrat]

My guess would be the sway bar mounts. I've had to replace both of mine for the symptoms you described. Get the upgraded ones. They have to be welded in. Ken

[SteveinTO]

I think the symptoms are too vague to start buying parts just yet. Get the car up in the air with the wheels off (after you've checked the bearings). Check your sway bar mounts, bushings, shock mounts, half shafts & CV joints & bolts and any other parts prone to go "clunk" in the night.

[slodave]

I had a situation that sounded similar to yours, but from my right front end. In my case, it was the shock absorber. You could push down on the front end and it reacted as if it was OK, but hitting certain bumps/holes, would cause a nice clunk.

[IROC]

Originally Posted by slodave

I had a situation that sounded similar to yours, but from my right front end. In my case, it was the shock absorber. You could push down on the front end and it reacted as if it was OK, but hitting certain bumps/holes, would cause a nice clunk.

My "clunk" ended up being a shock also. The bounce test didn't reveal anything, but once I removed the shock, it was obvious that it was bad. Mine was a rear shock...

[kodioneill]

rear torsion bar housing/cover bushings?

[JCFL]

Hi guys,

thank you for your input. I will wait and get the car home for further inspection before ordering any parts.

A few precision please - as my mother tongue is French, sometimes I have a hard time understanding tech names.

1) is sway bar and stabiliser bar the same thing ?

2) Using a press at home, can I install drop link bushings myself ? Pelican description of the items says no, that I must buy the whole drop links. Kind of much more expensive - any comments ?

3) Any links suggested for welding upgraded sway bar mounts ? Is this the item no. 1 on page 420-20 of Bentley's (bottom left diagram) ?

Again, let me finish by stating the obvious: the amount of knowledge available on this forum is simply unbelievable. Nearest dealer is 6 hours away, and no mechanic in my neck of the wood who have any kind of Porsche experience. So this board is extremely usefull to me. I have only the car for 2 1/2 years, and I am already the best P-expert for 150 miles around !

Thanks again, and thanks to our host for this great service.

JCFL

[RWebb]

[1] yes. aka anti-roll bar

[tonythetarga]

Originally Posted by JCFL

Hi guys,


2) Using a press at home, can I install drop link bushings myself ? Pelican description of the items says no, that I must buy the whole drop links. Kind of much more expensive - any comments ?

Thanks again, and thanks to our host for this great service.

JCFL

for #2) on the Carrera you replace the whole drop link for the bar.

reference this thread: Member: torn sway bar mount club...

[T77911S]

check the CV bolts, they can come lose. check wheel lug nuts