1973 914 Front End Noise

Cire · 03-12-2009, 08:37 AM

Howdy again everyone,

I am getting some noise on the drivers side wheel. I jacked the passenger side up and pushed the tire back and forth. There was a small amount of play in there and I could hear the noise coming from it. I pulled off the rotor and the brake thinking that it was the nut that holds the bearings in. I pulled out the allen wrench, snugged it up a bit, put it back together and the noise is still there. I pulled the brake apart again thinking maybe its a bad bearing or something. I checked both bearings and surfaces and there are no issues. I repacked the bearings and put them back. Noise is still there.

Whats causing this? Is there a bushing under neat the spindal that needs to be replaced?

Thanks everyone. = ) Let me know if you need pictures.

Eric

blitzer · 03-12-2009, 10:21 AM

What does the noise sound like and when does it occur?

Cire · 03-12-2009, 11:25 AM

= ) Great question Blitzer. I should have thought of that.

Its a thud noise. Like metal on metal. Klank? Is that a better word? With the car on the jack and the front wheel able to spin freely, I can grab the top and bottom of the tire and push/pull in combination and it makes the clunk noise. Driving its louder.

Thanks for the help.

Eric

CMONNETT · 03-12-2009, 11:49 AM

You might want to check the ball joint for play. You could also look at the nut for the shock collar. Easy things to check that could account for the noise you're hearing.

Chris

blitzer · 03-12-2009, 11:57 AM

I was thinking the shock collar also. You can't see it because it is under the shock dust cover. Drove me nuts when mine became loose.

Cire · 03-12-2009, 12:04 PM

Hmmm Okay. So two things to check.

1 - ball joint
2 - shock collar

I think I can figure out the shock collar. I dont know about the ball joint. Any pictures of one and what I would be looking for? What needs to be done to check it? = )

Thanks for the help.

ERic

Dave at Pelican Parts · Dave at Pelican Parts's Garage

The ball joint is at the bottom of the strut; it's the thing that fastens the strut to the A-arm. It is covered by a rubber boot. Check to see if that is the thing that moves when your wheel goes "thunk".

--DD