Clunk in rear (specifically pass. side) [Archive] - GrandAmGT.com Forum

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AMRAAM4
04-06-2003, 09:01 PM
Ok guys, need some brainstorming here. Yesterday I put the Eagle 077's back on for the summer. Here is some FYI for the problem:
1.) Last year's front wheels/tires are now rotated to the back.
2.) Used the normal jack to raise and change tires.
3.) Tires are inflated to about 37-40 PSI.
4.) I have hub rings now, whereas I didn't last year, the wheels went on much more snug at the hub (good fit).

Now the problem. The car seems to ride differently than last year. It is louder (tires) and a little more "rough". Also, the big thing is that at low speeds I am here a slight tick noise coming from the right rear wheelhouse (listening from inside of course). Along with that, when I apply initial braking at around 10-35MPH there is a "clunk" when the caliper is actuating (sounds like knocking on your fender). Here is what I have checked so far:
1.) space between wheel and strut seems fine, I can fit the width of my fingers in there.
2.) there are wheel weights on the interior rim edge but not enough to hit strut.
3.) 1 & 2 shouldn't matter anyway because I ran these 4 wheels last year with no problems.
4.) Felt the rotor front and back, nothing stuck on it.
5.) calipers have plenty of space between wheel spoke and caliper.
6.) scoped out underside and compared linkage, from normal sight it seems both are identical (i.e. nothing stood out to me as hanging off or broken)

OK boys (especially Fuller), any ideas????? I really don't wanna take it to the dealer until necessary because as soon as they see the wheels and springs I am f'ed....the cash register will start chinging in their heads. Thanks boys!

AMRAAM4
04-06-2003, 09:53 PM
SilverGa2001 (and others)...any possibility it could be the toe/endlinks and bushings?? They are stock. And maybe it is me, but looking at what those pieces are in a past thread of SilveGA2001's problem those don't look identical on both sides under my car.

On my Mazda I know that the rear pillow bushings go often and when breaking or letting of the accelerator there will be a momentary clunk. Just trying to put 2 + 2 together possibly.

If it is the bushings, would the H&R's contribute to this (read: will the dealer say they caused it).?

Rba007
04-06-2003, 10:01 PM
After installing my new struts/springs, i get a "ticking" sound from my rear strut towers... Very wierd. Not sure if these could be the same.

AMRAAM4
04-08-2003, 07:44 AM
Thanks Rba...

...and I have to agree with ihaveadope...

This forum is beginning to lack in the technical aspects of providing help!!!! However, if you constantly want to know if a damn spring/wheel/tire/CAI/exhaust will work on our car you are all set :rolleyes: Oh, and I almost forgot, what color you should paint your interior or buy for your graphics as well.

Rba007
04-08-2003, 11:04 AM
Sorry I couldnt help more. Ive been trying to pin down my problem for some time with no luck.

AMRAAM4
04-08-2003, 11:08 AM
I put the back seats down and have been trying to lend an ear back there while driving. It sounds like it is coming from up in the right rear wheel housing. Kinda like if you knocked on the interior fenderwell. It has to be the spring and strut setup. It must have moved or something when jacking the car up. I can't understand why it would be a wheel or brake thing.

My g/f will be around tomorrow, maybe I will have her drive around the block while I sit in the back with the seats down and my head in the trunk. Should be able to pinpoint it that way. If not......I'm deaf!!

embe
04-08-2003, 11:30 AM
Did you properly trim your bumpstops when the lowering springs went on?

How about something caught in the tread causing the ticking? I had a black drywall screw caught in mine that blended right in.

I'd also check the clearance of your exhaust over the rear cross member. Mine would clunk once in a while when I hit a bump..I thought it was the suspension until I reclamped the exhaust.

mfuller
04-08-2003, 11:37 AM
I've learned to live with the occasional clunks in my suspension, even though I've gone over everything with a fine-toothed comb. Naturally, you want to check everything.....struts, mounts, swaybar, endlinks, lateral arms, trailering arms.....although it sounds really dumb, make sure your spare tire/jack aren't rattling around. Be sure the wheels are balanced. A long time ago, I posted about clearance between a H&R spring and the inside of the strut tower....check that also with the car on the ground.

AMRAAM4
04-08-2003, 01:02 PM
i will check it all, thanks Matt.

It's really starting to p!ss me off, especially being col dhere now and tough to get a good look at it out there. It's like Edgar Allen poe's friggin Tell Tale Heart!!! I just keep hearing the clunk.....clunk.......clunk......clunk......instea d of the heart under the floorboards.

AMRAAM4
04-08-2003, 05:59 PM
OK, looked into the problem when I got home. Checked the spare tire and made sure it was secure. Then got underneath the car and looked using a flashlight, moving and shaking things...nothing. Springs and struts seem to be seated correctly and all bolts there. Sooooo, I loosened teh lugs and jacked her up. As I removed the lugs there was black shiot all in the lug holes and on the base of the lugs!!! Popped the wheel off and there was brake dust on the rotor around the lugnuts as well, hub was fine.

Now, a neighbor was cleaning his truck and came over and checked it out (we talk cars often). He looked it over and agreed everything looks fine, so he called his brother a mechanic and told him the symptoms. His brother's guess would be that it needs new pads or a piston is hitting, but something is wrong with the caliper.

Thoughts?