Scott & Fred: Michigan SHOtastrophe...Help me pwease......

[Bizzy]

Ok...I've had this problem for some time and had a post a while back on it. The problem is getting worse by the day and I don't know what it is. The guy I have do some work doesn't know either. At least he's honest and isn't replacing all kinds of parts with the hopes that it will fix it.

I have a crunching/wrenching sound when I go over a bump and turn at the same time. It's to the point now that every time I turn the wheel it makes this crunching sound from the driver's front wheel. Some times from the passenger front. Sounds like the body is crunching down on something. I also get the same crunching sound when I slow down quickly but not as bad as when the body is stressed. It's not a popping or ticking sound like you hear a lot of cars making while turning...it's a crunch. I wish I could record the sound and post it.

My guy has told me I need new struts on the front (and probably new mtg. hardware as well) I also need new front bearings. I have had the tie rods (inner & outer) inspected and replaced as needed and I also have new end links on there.

Oh, when it rains it pours....any ideas? Scott & Fred....I wish you guys lived in Michigan! (Love the pic Scott!

)

Oh, by the way, did I mention that I also need a new fuel pump? It's not dead yet, but will be soon. It's groaning pretty badly. Looks like I'll be driving the **gulp** 4 banger sidekick until after Christmas. This sucks!

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Proud to be an American!

Beth
'91 Plus MTX, Mostly stock
K&N Filter, Coneless
Colgan Custom Bra
Racing Series Driving Lights
Mods in the works
Many items on wish list!

 

[AutoXSHO]

Could be the strut mounts. Mine made pretty horrific crunches and rattles when they were going out. May as well replace them with the struts, since you're in there.

It's fairly easy to diagnose front end problems, though. Assuming nothing is physically touching down, check the tie rod ends (the outer ones at least are easy to check), the bushings and the swaybar endlinks. Most things in the front end tend to "clunk" though - I bet you need strut tops.

The fuel pump, once you get past the tank straps (use lots of P'blaster the week before) is not a bad job at all, but I would reccommend getting a partner to help out lowering the tank down, and at least the parts are fairly cheap...

John V

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95 MTX with mods.

 

[sdpatt]

Beth,

Thanks

As the weather cools off, the condition I am thinking of gets worse. My car has it too. Does it sound like it could be rubber rubbing tightly against metal? It sounds like a "crunch, crunch, crunch" from the top of the strut tower(s) as you turn the wheel. The cold weather makes the rubber harder and the noise louder.

If this is what I am thinking about, it is the upper spring pad rubbing against the inside of the strut tower. It sounds horrible, but it is really just a nuisance. The upper spring pad is a thick rubber pad that cushions the spring under the strut bearing plate. It becomes an interference problem when the struts are moved outboard to get the camber in spec. It is really a concern with lowering srings such as Eibachs. Ford had offered a spacer plate to fit between the top of the strut and the bottom of the strut tower to move the pad farther down and away from the narrow top of the tower. Mine has these too, but it doesn't correct the interference due to the movement of the top of the strut outward about 1" to get the camber to -1 degree.

I have trimmed some of the rubber off the pad, but I still get some "crunching." So, to rememdy that, I turn the wheels fully left, put on a rubber glove, apply silicone grease (Sil-Glyde) to my fingertips and stick my finger up the driver side strut tower to the area of the interference at the outboard rear quadrant. (Reminds me of a scene from Caddyshack where Bill Murray was inserting a detonator in the butt end of a a squirrel molded from C4 explosive - "Doctor's orders"). Then I turn the wheels to the right and **** the passenger side.

I hope it is that simple.

Scott

 

[Bizzy]

Originally posted by sdpatt:
I hope it is that simple.

Scott

Hi Scott...thanks for your usual very informative answers. Tell ya what, if I lived down there you'd be the only man under the hood of my car. I will give what you said a try. I hope it's that simple, seems almost too easy.

You're right about the weather change and the noise getting more prevalent. It's got to be the most wretched wrenching noise I've ever heard my car utter. And talk about embarrassing....

Guess I'll go buy myself some rubber gloves and some Sil-Glyde and go WEEEEEEEEEE...

Thanks again (as always) for your help!

------------------
Proud to be an American!

Beth
'91 Plus MTX, Mostly stock
K&N Filter, Coneless
Colgan Custom Bra
Racing Series Driving Lights
Mods in the works
Many items on wish list!

 

[fredhurderjr]

Just curious, do you have strut tower bars? If so, check to make sure the bars are secure. Mine loosened & groaned like that.

Have the strut tower plates been air-chiseled loose to correct an alignment issue? That will loosen things up as well. As long as its not a clunk (more like a rub/groan?), I totally agree with Scott on this one. Do you hear it when pushing down on the individual struts (lean ******* each corner - get the car bouncing)?

I gotta be honsest with you, I'm just getting used to the whole Gen 1 thing myself. It's so different from the 93 & 95 I've had (and this whole cable shifter thing still has me spooked!) I've been a Gen 2 person so far.

 

[Bizzy]

I have no strut braces...I'm still hung up on my hydraulic hood lifts. I love 'em too much to give them up. I know, I know...better cornering, etc.

I have no clue if anything has been changed up there for alignment...not to my knowledge. All I know is that my mechanic said that the driver side strut is leaking a wee little bit and needs to be replaced soon. So the other side will be replaced at the same time.

It's a wrenching sound. I honestly don't know what rubber sounds like when it rubs...if I had some way of recording it I would. It's very audible inside the car, I'm not sure how it sounds outside the car. Nobody else drives my car but me...it's a rule.

It doesn't make any unusual noises when bouncing the front fender. That's the first thing we did.

If it were a clunk sound, what would that be? At least that way I'd have the heads up just in case. And I could have my mechanic check into it. He's baffled at this point.

Thanks again guys!

------------------
Proud to be an American!

Beth
'91 Plus MTX, Mostly stock
K&N Filter, Coneless
Colgan Custom Bra
Racing Series Driving Lights
Mods in the works
Many items on wish list!

[This message has been edited by Bizzy (edited 12-05-2001).]

 

[SilverSHO]

I was just noticing the same sound. But I also have a clunk, too. Whenever I turn the wheel to the right, then left, or vice versa (as in parking), I hear a clunk as I go from one direction to the other. I can see where the groaning is coming from though; I hear it mainly from the right side.

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Nick
Lt. Titanium 90 135k
Coneless, ACCEL 8.8 stainless steel wires,
SHO Shop torque limiters, Cherry Bomb Turbo II mufflers
AIM: loudog6491, TitaniumSHO

 

[185K89SHO]

If the noise just happens when going over bumps (speed bumps), the noise may be comming from the sway bar mounting bushings. Do you hear it from the rear too? If you can make the noise happen sitting still and turning the steering wheel back and forth, it is probably the upper strut mounts.
Lubing the front sway bar mounts is kind of a PITA. You have to drop the rear subframe down some to get to the sway bar mounting bolts, then remove the bushing and lubricate the bushing and sway bar.
I had a similiar noise from both the front and rear when going over speed bumps. I lubed the rear sway bar mounting bushing and the noise went away. Have not done the front, it doesn't bother me that much.
John
89 SHO

 

[pjtoledo]

Bizzy, what are you doing to your car??? It looked so good at the meet last month. I'm good at finding clunks, not to sure about the groaning stuff though. Mine needs lots of chassis work too, up to 233,000 miles now, last big chassis work was at 122,000.
Give me a shot if you want, [email protected]
Perry Toledo,Ohio

 

[Bizzy]

Originally posted by pjtoledo:
Bizzy, what are you doing to your car???

Hey Perry! Good to hear from ya. Say hello to your wife for me.

Well, yes...she "looked" good...but even then at the turns or bumps it would do that horrible noise. I didn't have to worry about it much while I was just sitting there.

We think we have it narrowed down to the struts & mtg. hardware. But if that doesn't cure it then you bet your bippy I'll be asking for help in finding those darn creaks.

I did get my fuel pump replaced....along with the gas tank...I was pretty bummed about that but at least I won't have to worry about the crud in the tank fouling the new pump.... gotta be positive about these things. Next things are the struts and hardware and front bearings. After Christmas though...

Hope you have a wonderful holiday!

------------------
Proud to be an American!

Beth
'91 Plus MTX, Mostly stock
K&N Filter, Coneless
Colgan Custom Bra
Racing Series Driving Lights
Mods in the works
Many items on wish list!

 

[94ShoATX]

I test drove a gen 1 and it did the same thing. They did not know what the problem was either. Its pretty loud noise. I thought you told us what it was when you were at my house Beth? I guess not, hopefully she is fixed soon!

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[Bizzy]

Originally posted by 94ShoATX:
I thought you told us what it was when you were at my house Beth? I guess not, hopefully she is fixed soon!

Yeah, I did..but it's that and a little more. It's still not fixed yet but I did **** up a few areas and it's a little better. Once I get enuf money together (tax time) I'm getting the front struts and hardware replaced along with front wheel bearings. Hopefully that'll cure it along with continued ****, but I believe that just because of the cars age that it will continue, hopefully just not as pronounced. She'll be fine though.

I looked at another Gen 1 over the weekend. Thinking about picking it up seriously but I can't at the moment because of Christmas. But this one would be for my oldest son. I figure it'd be a good car for him. It's not pristine, but it's a SHO and that's what matters.

Did you ever get your electrical stuff figured out?

------------------
Proud to be an American!

Beth
'91 Plus MTX, Mostly stock
K&N Filter, Coneless
Colgan Custom Bra
Racing Series Driving Lights
Mods in the works
Many items on wish list!

 

[sdpatt]

Beth,

I had the front wheel bearings replaced on my '91 at 240,000 miles after the passenger side wheel developed play on the hub. The bearings were worn out. They failed because the rubber seal on the bearing deteriorated and allowed moisture and dirt in to the lubrucated area of the bearing. Be careful having them replaced. A Ford dealership ***** me for over a thousand dollars for the two front wheel bearings and one CV oint boot. They had to contract out having the old bearings pressed out and the new ones pressed in. It took a 5,000 pound press to make that happen.

Scott

 

[pjtoledo]

With a good assortment of thick discs and a 12" long piece of 3/4" fine threaded rod, the bearings can be pressed out/in at home. It's not that bad of a job. I might do a detailed write up on it soon.
Perry Toledo,Ohio

 

[Bizzy]

Originally posted by sdpatt:
They had to contract out having the old bearings pressed out and the new ones pressed in. It took a 5,000 pound press to make that happen.

Scott--thanks for the heads up on that one. But I'm buying the whole hub assembly rather than going the route of pressing bearings. I had the rear ones done with those and have had great success. No muss, no fuss.

Yeah, Ford got you good. But when don't they? I still can't get over Ford saying they wanted $175 for a caliper bracket for the rear when a friend of mine went down there and bought them for $27. The guy must have thought I was really ignorant.

------------------
Proud to be an American!

Beth
'91 Plus MTX, Mostly stock
K&N Filter, Coneless
Colgan Custom Bra
Racing Series Driving Lights
Mods in the works
Many items on wish list!

 

[sdpatt]

Whenever I choose to have a shop work on my car, it never fails to remind me why I do most of the work myself.

Scott

 

[94ShoATX]

Originally posted by Bizzy:
Yeah, I did..but it's that and a little more. It's still not fixed yet but I did **** up a few areas and it's a little better. Once I get enuf money together (tax time) I'm getting the front struts and hardware replaced along with front wheel bearings. Hopefully that'll cure it along with continued ****, but I believe that just because of the cars age that it will continue, hopefully just not as pronounced. She'll be fine though.

I looked at another Gen 1 over the weekend. Thinking about picking it up seriously but I can't at the moment because of Christmas. But this one would be for my oldest son. I figure it'd be a good car for him. It's not pristine, but it's a SHO and that's what matters.

Did you ever get your electrical stuff figured out?

Yes I got it figured out finally. It was the main power going to the alternator. The end was croded and all messed up. I still havent got the speakers re wired yet. The place I was going to take it to went out of business

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[Bizzy]

94ShoATX-Well it's good that you got your electrical stuff figured out, but the speaker re-wire part sucks. I know how it feels to be without tunes.

sdpatt-I identify completely with trying to do as much as possible yourself. I'd give my left leg for the knowledge you have. Well...maybe not cause then I wouldn't be able to drive my car!


------------------
Proud to be an American!

Beth
'91 Plus MTX, Mostly stock
K&N Filter, Coneless
Colgan Custom Bra
Racing Series Driving Lights
Mods in the works
Many items on wish list!

 

[sdpatt]

What would one of those legs look like?

 

[fredhurderjr]

Get an ATX, Biz.