Knocking when turning - AC compressor?
 

When I make a quick right turn, or a hard right turn, I hear a knocking noise. It sounds like a sway bar bushing, but it isn't. I noticed my AC compressor is actually sitting on top of my sway bar when I looked under it. It looks like it could be the problem and seems like it is the general location the sound is coming from. Is this normal?? Everything is tight, I can't figure it out

is your car lowered?

it sounds like your AC compressor is too low, or the sway bar is too high. can you get a picture of this to post?

Nope not lowered. I agree that's what it seems like. I'll try to post a pic tomorrow. Does anyone have a pic of the normal underside that I could compare to?

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_LvxjhxOrHgc/TDcfIzyYvBI/AAAAAAAAAPk/_Zc5h1HCdXI/s1600/S1050195+%5B50%25%5D.JPG

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_LvxjhxOrHg...5B50%25%5D.JPG

do you have an aftermarket swaybar setup?

I do not. Mine is a 951 though, looks a little different from that pic. My compressor has two lobs on it, one which the tensioner connects to and the other has nothing connected to it. This is the one that is touching the sway bar.

ya know, that picture doesn't look right. i think that is actually the alternator. let me try again with the pictures.

That car HATH no AC!

sorry, i cannot find another, better picture. but yeah, i think this car has the alternator in the AC position and a shorter ribbed belt.

Here's my pics. The lobe of the AC is actually resting on the sway bar. SOrt of bad pics because I didn't have time to put it on the lift but you get the picture....My dad seems to think the belt is too big/stretched and it needs replaced and tightened.http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1285965689.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1285965707.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1285965722.jpg

are you sure that compressor is attached at the mounting point? that definitely looks wrong to me. the belt tensioner is much more horizontal on my 951.

Was wondering the same ,there is definitely something that doesn't jive here seem to be lower in the rear then in the front.this is my 968 but your should be the same, has you will notice there is quiet a bit of clearence dind't measure but at least 2" between the rear lob & the sway bar & this is an m030 bar.http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1285972911.jpg

:eek:Sorry got it wrong the pic was taken with the car jack -up hence so much clearance ,when sitting they should be be approx 3/8" to ½" from the front of the rear lob to the sway bar,your's should be a little bit more unless you got the m030 SB on it.

Either the ear broke off the rear of the compressor, or the bolt backed out and is gone. There are two different compressors pictured above, the early cars have a 6E171, the later cars have a 10P15E. Both are Nippondenso compressors.

My compressor is the same as the one Ernie posted - I have a 951 so it's a late model. The lobe in the back doesn't have anything connected to it (and never did) and I'm not sure what that would do even if it did. The front lobe has the tensioner connected to it, that's it.

Whoops, Ernie pictured his 968, yep same compressor. There has to be a through bolt on the rear of the compressor. The head on it is 15mm and the retaining nut is 17mm, I forget the length. Although rare, the bolt can back out and vibration can cause the ear to break off. This generally happens when someone forgets to tighten things after they tension the belt.

If you are telling us that there is no way to mount the compressor other than by the tensioner, your ear has broken off and the nut and bolt are gone. It's time for a new compressor.

Ahh you're talking about the mounting ear? It's mounted OK. I thought you meant the ear that was actually hitting off of the sway bar should have a mount connected to it, hence the confusion.

Hate to bring this back up - Replaced the belt and the AC compressor is where it should be now, but it's still making a noise when I turn. I looked at everything underneath and can't find anything loose, anybody else had this problem?

Are you sure the sound comes from the front of the car? Nothing should be in contact with the swaybar. I run an 030 setup and have lots of room. If the sound came from the rear I would definitely hazard a guess...

i have had that same klunking issue when turning right, and going up a drive approach.
It was a loose sway bar bracket
check the 2 bolts that hold the sway bar bushing to the vertical bracket to make sure it's tight, mine was slightly loose & when the sway bar twisted with the right wheel being compressed in it's travel up & down it would make a nasty klunk.