Click! Clang! Can't find it!!!!

[cab83_750]

Well, when I am moving in reverse, I get a click and clang whenever I hit the brakes. It happens about 50% of the time. I though it was only occuring when the car is on a slope, but the noise still happens on flat surfaces.

The sound is definitely coming from the front.

So what have I done?
1. I have searched PP archives, and found 1 hit. Someone thought it was cracked disks. I have checked both disks and no cracks are present.
2. I have lifted each of the front wheels. Grabbing 12 and 6, both front wheels do not have any play. Grabbing 3 and 9, both wheels have a very very slight movement. FYI, I attempted to adjust the bearing a little to the 'just tight side'; the 3-9 slight movement did not help.
3. I have checked the bolts of the a-arm, and they are secure.
4. I have checked the bolts holding the calipers and and they are all tight.

What am I missing????????

Thanks.

[cab83_750]

Houston? Calling Houston?

Bueller? Bueller.............


It is 8 a.m. Pacific. Where are the gurus?

[tonythetarga]

Have you pulled the pads, checked the pins and the spring clips that keep the pads from chattering? I have seen pads that become dislodged partially from the backing steel plate which could be the source as well.

[vash]

have a friend back the car up slowly. you listen from the outside. it may change your hearing perspective. i hate noises that are difficult to find.

[pookie]

Parking brake shoe?

[ossiblue]

+1 for Tony and Vash's comments.

Also, you say it happens about 50% of the time so it's kind of difficult to nail it down, but here are some questions that may help:

Does the noise happen more than once when in reverse--meaning, it happens initially and when you reapply brakes while still in reverse it happens again?

Does it only happen when you brake in reverse after having braked moving forward?

After it happens, do you hear any sound from the front when you then brake moving forward?

Hopefully, the answers to the above can help determine if some component is moving when in reverse and "resetting" itself when moving forward. Please keep us posted on results of any investigation.

[bkreigsr]

loose front torsion bar cover (the one by the rack & pinion) and adjustment screw?
Bill K

[DRACO A5OG]

Cab83,

Any updates?

I am having the same symptoms.

I recently worked on my front A/C condensor, removing/re-installing the condensor protecting bar.

My click is apparent when I turn the steering wheel going into and out of a parking space or turing at a corner from a stop.

Funny when I park over night in my parking space, I am initially backed in then when I drive off in the morning, no click

Jim

[DRACO A5OG]

Cab83,

Any updates?

I am having the same symptoms.

I recently worked on my front A/C condensor, removing/re-installing the condensor protecting bar.

My click is apparent when I turn the steering wheel going into and out of a parking space or turing at a corner from a stop.

Funny when I park over night in my parking space, I am initially backed in then when I drive off in the morning, no click

Jim

May need to visit Steve Alarcon again

[DRACO A5OG]

So no "click" today. This starting to get really annoying!

[cab83_750]

Here is my update:

My car has those aftermarket tow-hooks. These are the ones that replace the torsion bar cover.

In checking my clicking issue, I found out that my left torsion actually pushed itself out and forward just enough for it it to rub against the tow hooks.

[rnln]

cab83_750,
do you happen to take pic of that area? How your after market tow hook look like?
Thanks

[DRACO A5OG]

Update:

Just returned from Johnson's, Steve and I drove around the block then he described to me what, when and where the noises could be coming from.

Several culprit points.

1. Loose Wheel Bearing/s
2. Strut & Spindel (Worn out Bearings/Hub)
3. Torsion Bar (OEM pre-'86)
4. Brake Pads (non OEM)

He went under the car and tapped on my Stone Guard and noticed it was making alot of noise. He removed it and confirmed my sway bar was rubbing against it. He proceeded to hammer it straight and Voila no more rattle due to touching of the Sway Bar.

He recommened I go to '86 Sway Bar set 22MM & 21MM. ( anyone selling theirs? )

He then inspected the front left strut (where the noise was emitting from). Checked OK.

He then moved to the Left Front Wheel, BINGO! it was the bearing. It was definitely loose so he proceed to tighten it. I was instructed to check every 30-45 days for play.

Unfortunately, he suspects that I may need to replace my bearing due to 182K miles on the clock and at the same time inspect the Hub and Spindel for excessive wear and tear.

While I was there, I complained about sloppy steering, well actually just felt someting was loose. When I'm at a stop or in a parking space, and turn my steering wheel a half an inch or so back and forth. It feels like something is loose.

Steve opened up the smuggkler's box and found the bolts to the steering column U joint was loose. Well after that she was tight!

All this for $25.00

Smile on my face on the way home, Priceless!!!

[rnln]

draco,
so no more clicking noise?
About your bearing, I checked yours left front a while ago, when we did mine, and it was tight. I feel a little strange that we have to check bearing every 30-45 days.
On (3) above, what is the suspected problem with the torsion bar, if he stated?

[DRACO A5OG]

Yeap, Click No More :-)

Well apparently the left front bearing wast was loose, he showed me and I need to replace the allen bolt inside of the "C"clamp. I was lucky, because the noise did not occur until 6 months later.

Torsion Bar, all Good. He did say I should update my sway bars front and rear to 22MM & 21MM '86+ Carrera's.

[El_Mecanico]

CAB83_750 was that the problem the end cap was hitting against the under body or tow cap. I just replaced the suspension pan so that would make sense. Let me loosen mine and push it back.

[cab83_750]

Yes.

When I get the chance, I need to pull that torsion bar (driver side), get my grinder and shorten it. Anyone has a torsion bar housing for sale? The coin-type cover is now gone on mine.