My 1980 Spit has been experiencing a little problem of late. Almost every
time I take off from a standing start, I hear a "thunk" from the left rear
tire area. At first, I thought it was a stone under the left wheel that
shot out from under the tire under acceleration, hitting the wheel well. It
does it just once, always from the left side. It has the tone of hard metal
hitting hard metal, with little or no ringing present. I can sometimes feel
the "thunk" as a vibration in the seat of my pants. When I accelerate from
the stop light, I'm more likely to hear it when I start out "smartly" than
from a smooth acceleration.
The first thing that I thought was the left rear radius arm had lost it's
grommet, but I jacked the car up and the radius arm, shock links, main leaf
spring and u-joints on that side seem to be fit and tight, no leaks or worn
rubber parts that I could see. I've replaced both half axels less than
5,000 miles ago.
Before I take it to a professional, any ideas out there?
Dan Parrott
Savannah, Ga
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