Ok, taking the advice of the list, I have been checking out what may be
causing my clonking sound I =occasionally= (so far) here upon deceleration
or acceleration. Actually since it's only happened 3 times so far it may
not have as much to do with acceleration as turning or something else.
Anyway, this is what I've done and the results:
Checked the u-joints...doesn't appear to be this as when I turn the drive
shaft while trying to hold the rear flange or the front connection, I don't
see any play. Everything turns together. Really thought this was my best
candidate too.
Jacked the front end up and rocked the wheels. Slight, very slight rocking
in and out. Maybe 1/16". Got under car and continued rocking. Did not
see any movement side to side or back and forth in kingpin or really
=anywhere= else. I just don't see movement. I'm guessing this means my
wheel bearing and kingpins aren't really that bad off.
Next I checked the rear springs and found that the springs are rusty but
not cracked. Bushing front and back look pretty bad and I'm going to
change those if not the springs to alleviate the jumpiness in the car.
This is much better after deflating the tires to something a bit more
reasonable. 30psi But would this cause a clunking sound?
Another day went back up to the front end and made sure all the bolts were
tight for brakes, shock arms, etc. All tight.
Lastly, of course lastly, I check the bushings up front. Are A arms just
the two sides of the wishbone? I'm trying to get terminology straight
here. Anyway, passenger side inner A-arm bushings look kind of ratty. So
does one of the bushings up top (I think I'm looking at the trunnion
bushings). Go to the driver's side. Inner A-arm bushings. What A-arm
bushings?!!!! There are none. None at all. There's just a space and bare
metal. Could this be the source of my clunk? I know I have to install them.
My plan is to do the front rubber bushings and also the back. Maybe do the
springs back there, but maybe not. My car doesn't lean one way or the
other and the rear end has no sag.
Thanks for reading this far if you made it. :) Could those missing A-arm
bushings and the bad ones on the other side be my clonk?
Thanks for the continued help.
Philip
Burgundy 1974 Midget
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