Fox T-Bird/Cougar Forums

Technical => Suspension/Steering => Topic started by: zpyro on February 15, 2005, 04:01:01 AM

Title: clanking in front end
Post by: zpyro on February 15, 2005, 04:01:01 AM
My bird makes a pretty loud knocking sound in the front suspension when braking. my uncle says it's something to do with the pads moving forward, and that the birds are known for that  :dunno: is this true, or is something else wrong? I know that my sway bar bushing is gone, I haven't had the time or really need to replace it, I don't know if it will mess anything up if the bushing is gone. I don't know much about front end suspension  :wtf:
Title: Re: clanking in front end
Post by: Haystack on February 15, 2005, 05:40:45 AM
neither of my two cougars do that. If your pads do slip forward, I would assume that they are old and need to be chaged, because there is just a little metal clip that holds it into the caliper.
Title: Re: clanking in front end
Post by: zpyro on February 15, 2005, 06:06:10 AM
I just changed the pads, so I guess that rules that out. guess I'll hafta go and see what rattles around other than the sway bar :p I'm pretty sure it isn't the sway bar itself, THAT clanks when I go over a speedbump  :giggle:
Title: Re: clanking in front end
Post by: vinnietbird on February 15, 2005, 06:44:24 AM
My swaybar did that until I swapped out the bushings,and then,no more noise.I wouldn't make noise when I tried to induce it,only when I would drive it.
Title: Re: clanking in front end
Post by: blu84302 on February 15, 2005, 11:27:09 AM
I use to drive my bird with no stabilizer link kits.  It would make loud popping noises, and when i would gun it, that one side would jump out really good.  :D
Title: Re: clanking in front end
Post by: lowcat on February 15, 2005, 11:30:54 AM
Quote from: blu84302
I use to drive my bird with no stabilizer link kits. 


Now why would you go and do that?
Title: Re: clanking in front end
Post by: EricCoolCats on February 15, 2005, 11:33:59 AM
Quote from: zpyro
I know that my sway bar bushing is gone, I haven't had the time or really need to replace it, I don't know if it will mess anything up if the bushing is gone.


You just answered your own question. ;)

A missing sway bar bushing will definitely make a racket. That's probably the source of the sound.
Title: Re: clanking in front end
Post by: cougarcragar on February 15, 2005, 12:19:43 PM
That's exactly what it is.
My '88 XR7 was missing a sway-bar bushing when I bought it... plenty loud!
Title: Re: clanking in front end
Post by: zpyro on February 15, 2005, 03:55:40 PM
so it moves around not only when I go over bumps, but when I hit the brakes?
Title: Re: clanking in front end
Post by: EricCoolCats on February 15, 2005, 04:19:48 PM
Yes, any kind of forces on the front end will affect the sway bar if your bushing is missing. The tiniest bumps will rattle it. My '88 Blue Max 5.0 had a missing bushing when I bought the car....drove me absolutely nuts. I changed the sway bar to a larger Turbo Coupe one, new urethane bushings, and new end link kit...problem solved immediately.
Title: Re: clanking in front end
Post by: blownbirds on February 15, 2005, 07:21:45 PM
Quote from: lowcat
Now why would you go and do that?[/QUOTE


If you remove your sway bar, it helps with weight transfer to the rear tires, when you are drag racing.
 :evilgrin:  :evilgrin:
Title: Re: clanking in front end
Post by: JKATHRE on February 15, 2005, 09:02:15 PM
Hello,

I had a cracked spring.  It never revealed itself until I replaced them.  You might have such.  When the front heaves, the coils compress and rub a dub dub--one coil pongs at the break.  ?!

John R