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front end noise, with pics


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So i have had a clunk in the front that started rather recently, it happens when im stop and go on hills mosty but starting to hear it in the turns and when braking more and more, i have my wheels off and i can see slip marks on the leading rod where the busing and stabilizer bar connect, so is it as simple as replace that bushing? (Doubt it) or is there a deeper problem here? The tie rod ends look and feel fine, and my manual rack feels nice and tight. Im dropping the skid plate to look, but it all feels tight, and has new wheel bearings and axles in front. Ea81 87 4 spd d/r hatch

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I'm not a mechanic so only trying to help.... so just tossing darts here... 

 

It sounds like loose, missing, (bolts, mount, support) allowing weight to move during acceleration...   Take a look at your engine mounts.  Possibly pinch bar and lift up a bit to see if all looks good.  Look for loose tranny mounts to as well as missing exhaust pipe bolts on bottom of engine.   any of these can allow weight to shift, possibly causing a "clunk" when accelerating.  Also check the two large bolts that hold disc breaks to the rotor assembly.

 

Could sloppy bushings cause the clunk?   possibly?  I would ease concerns of a pending major failure by looking at main components/bolts before settling on a couple of old bushings, not discounting, just prioritizing.  I changed all my suspension bushings about 10 years ago, figure it couldn't hurt....   I am sure there are some older posts on that to search. 

 

sounds like you have checked major parts..  You probably know, take pressure (lift) off the tire and feel for play by grabbing the tire (yes tire is still on) and feel for play (not rotation but for ball joint or knuckle slop).  I am sure there is a youtube video on this.  It sounds like your fairly confident in all of this but it sounds like something has come loose, or about too... hate it when that happens. One point someone reminded me of is that bottom 14mm bolt on bottom of suspension arm (if loosened or removed) the nut should remain loose, till weight is back on the suspension (tires on ground), then tightened/torque the bolt, not when suspension is hanging down like when jacked in the air.  The rubber in that bushing sleeve where the 14mm bolt slides through can degrade/tear...... not sure if any of this helps.

 

Good luck.  

Edited by Indrid cold
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Not sure about EA81 but on the EA82 there is a dog bone bar stabilizing the engine/trans to dampen moments of high torque changes (impulse) such as when starting from a stop or stopping after moving. It can be seen coming from under where the spare tire sits down to the trans.

 

On my EA82 if that is not crazy tight, a thunk is heard.

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Ok, thank you very much guys, indrid, you're talkig about the 14 mm on the inside of the control arm? I think that is it,while pulling and pushing i noticed a minor wiggle at that bushing, tightened it up and the sound is mostly gone, mostly, so maybe i left it loose or it was going out anyways, but that bushing is prolly smoked now, the reason i was thinking bushings, my old bmw would make a bunch of front end noise when a bushing went out. And i believe mr loyale that is the pitch stopper, mine is pretty tight but i will pull the spare and check today afer work

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14mm on control arm, yes..can't remember what it is called?  But that was just more about what I learned on these cars when working on the suspension more so then on your "clunk" noise.  So I would still be looking for something coming loose... or wore out.  Mr. Loyal is right about the dog-bone on the EA-82 years, but I can't remember what the EA-81's have except for motor or tranny mounts ... 

 

Control arm bushings, do a search on topic.  Best if done by a hydraulic press.  I did one on my work bench and took other to a buddy who had a press.  So much easier using a hydraulic press to push out the old and push in the new one. Keep looking for that "clunk" noise.

 

Good luck. 

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