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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Beirut, Lebanon
Posts: 222
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CV joints or sway bar bushings - clunk?
If anyone can give me a shade tree, sunday afternoon test to determine the clunking noise i'm getting now when i turn the steering wheel in either direction, i'd be so grateful. It seems to be either of the above culprits, but is there a roadside test which i could do on my own to work out which one?
My clunk has been around for a while, but it used to be very quite. But now it's more noticeable since i've been using the car a lot on bad Lebanese autoroutes, which ideally are only suitable for tractors. thanks in advance MJ in Beirut Last edited by Beirut944; 05-05-2018 at 07:01 AM.. |
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05-05-2018, 06:56 AM
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Registered
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Nashville, TN
Posts: 4,053
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sway bar bushings more likely to make noise moving up and down over those bumpy roads.
highly suspect something in your steering system is worn...maybe the bushings holding the rack to the crossmember? maybe the inner tie rods have gone sloppy? even the little bearings at the top of the front struts getting dry can make the steering feel sticky when trying to turn the wheel. |
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05-05-2018, 08:09 AM
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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Beirut, Lebanon
Posts: 222
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Quote:
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05-05-2018, 08:43 AM
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Coeur d'Alene, Idaho
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Always a good idea to identify what year and model we are discussing. Also, your description is not very helpful. For instance, if you are parked and turn the wheel is that causing a clunk? If so, the CV joints (only on the rear of a 944) are not indicated. If the clunk happens while driving straight down the road, again - totally different things to look at. And if you are parked and can saw the wheel back and forth and make it clunk each time the steering direction happens - again a totally different set of things to advise.
I'm thinking the last description is your problem but you need to confirm. If so, I have some quick advice to further inspect and it is a cheap fix.
__________________
84 944, 87 Vanagon, 88 Mitsubishi Van Wagon, 88 Supra Targa, 1990 Audi 90 20V Quattro sedan, 1992 Lexus LS400, 1993 LandCruiser, 1997 LandCruiser, 2017 Subaru Outback. |
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05-05-2018, 09:09 AM
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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Beirut, Lebanon
Posts: 222
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it's a 1986 NA 944
It makes the clunk when the car is parked and the steering wheel is turned in either direction hope that helps MJ |
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05-05-2018, 09:14 AM
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Registered
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 405
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Could easily be a worn ball joint issue, or tie rod end wear.
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05-05-2018, 09:21 AM
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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Beirut, Lebanon
Posts: 222
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i'm hoping its a tie rod end. But which is more likely to wear out? The tie rod joints on the wheel, or the internal ball and socket joint where the rod meets the sterring rack?
MJ |
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05-06-2018, 12:02 AM
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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Beirut, Lebanon
Posts: 222
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UPDATE. I was very lucky with my inspection as i spotted it immediately. The tie rod linkage on the passenger side is completey gone. All the play that i experience is in that joint. My only confusion is that the linkeage itself doesn't have the tiny hole in the top for a grease nipple, which i saw on others on the net. Any ideas? If its' the type which doens't have the nipple, shouldn't you apply some grease where the two components meet and sit?
MJ Last edited by Beirut944; 05-06-2018 at 12:58 AM.. |
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05-06-2018, 12:43 AM
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