Actually Joe, the single clink I hear from each wheel (the rears primarily)
is only there on aggressive deceleration or braking. And just once. For
example, if I've been driving for awhile and I go over a hill, the first
time I apply my brakes, I'll hear the clicks (each wheel makes the sound
independently and not at the exact same time). However, if I apply the
brakes again seconds later -- no clicks. For another example, if I'm in
first or second gear and let off the gas abruptly, the rear wheels will also
click, but not as loudly as they do when I apply the brakes.
I've had some experience with worn U-joints before and remember what they
sounded like while driving. This does not remind me of that sound at all.
When the u-joints are worn, the whine and clicks seem almost constant.
Thanks again to all for your suggestions and debate in this matter.
Jeff
----- Original Message -----
From: Joe Curry <spitlist@gte.net>
To: Bowen, Patrick A RP2 <PABowen@sar.med.navy.mil>
Cc: Douglas Braun & Nadia Papakonstantinou <dougnad@bellatlantic.net>; Barry
Schwartz <bschwart@pacbell.net>; Jeff McNeal <jmcneal@ohms.com>;
<spitfires@autox.team.net>
Sent: Thursday, April 06, 2000 7:47 AM
Subject: Re: Clicking wheels / good news
> Patrick,
> The operative word here is "Dominant". If the sound is there all the
time, it
> would indicate a likely U-Joint problem. But if it is "Only" there on
> acceleration (one clink), deceleration or braking, that in my mind would
> eliminate the U-Joints as a source of the problem.
>
> Further. If you are under hard acceleration, it might keep the U-joint in
an
> attitude where the flex is confined and the sound is not there. BUt as
soon as
> you reach a cruising speed and the acceleration pressure is removed from
the
> u-joint there would most likely be a constant (albeit lower volume)
clicking
> made as the joint rotates.
>
> But my understanding of the symptom is that there is only a single clink
on
> acceleration and another one on deceleration (and braking), indicating
that a
> fixed rather than rotating part of the suspension is loose.
>
> Regards,
> Joe
>
> "Bowen, Patrick A RP2" wrote:
> >
> > I have actually had the experience where the sound was dominant only
when
> > the car was under acceleration or gas being applied, took my foot off
the
> > pedal and it shut up. Oh well, I guess the best thing is assume they are
bad
> > and change them
> >
> > Patrick Bowen
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Joe Curry [mailto:spitlist@gte.net]
> > Sent: Thursday, April 06, 2000 10:19 AM
> > To: Douglas Braun & Nadia Papakonstantinou
> > Cc: Barry Schwartz; Jeff McNeal; spitfires@autox.team.net
> > Subject: Re: Clicking wheels / good news
> >
> > My experience with loose U-Joints cups is that the symptom would be
> > different.
> > Rather than the clink on acceleration or deceleration, you will have a
> > constant
> > clink every time the U-Joint flexes meaning it would be there all the
time.
> > What's more, Replacing U-Joints is hard enough without having to deal
with
> > locktite or some other foreign material.
> >
> > Joe
> >
> > Douglas Braun & Nadia Papakonstantinou wrote:
> > >
> > > Another potential problem is that the U-joint cups can become loose in
> > their
> > > holes in the yokes. The metal of the yokes can apparently expand
after
> > much
> > > use. You can spot this problem because the cups will creep round and
> > round,
> > > and the top of the cup will be shiny under the circlips where it has
been
> > > rubbing against the circlip.
> > >
> > > The only sure cure is to replace the flange and/or axle shaft.
> > > Probably you could replace just the yoke on the axle shaft, but
> > > you would need a jumbo press! Possibly one of those Permatex
> > > or Loctite products could fill the gap around the cup...
> > >
> > > Doug Braun
> > > '72 Spit
> > >
> > > At 06:09 PM 4/6/00 -0700, Barry Schwartz wrote:
> > >
> > > >Jeff,
> > > >While you may have replaced them, or they may have been replaced, if
you
> > > >didn't check the end float it may still be your u-joints. If you
have
> > > >disregard the latter.
>
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