Title: Suspension Issues
Post by: bike70ride on October 30, 2011, 08:37:01 PM
Post by: bike70ride on October 30, 2011, 08:37:01 PM
Hey, looking for any ideas on what damaged parts I have. I admit to not being a real well-versed suspension guy...
A while back, I noticed the driver side front of my car seemed to be a bit lower than the passenger. When I upgraded my rear springs and front struts, it helped some, but still looked off-kilter. Well, lately I've been hearing this sing sound when I make a sharp right turn (like turning into a parking stall). I thought maybe it was tire rub, but I see no evidence of that, and today when I was under doing an oil change, I noticed that the ball joint is ALMOST touching the rotor! Comparing to the passenger side, I'd say there's about 3/4" difference in height. I suspect there's enough play that, on tight turns, they actually come in contact with each other - hence the scaping noise.
So, how much damage have I caused in driving it like this for probably close to a year (noise just started in the last couple weeks, tho). And what do I need to have replaced? I don't really have the means to do major suspension work at home...but I have a reputable shop that I can bring it to. Far as I can tell, passenger side seems fine. Car drives fine otherwise...no pulling.
Thanks much!
A while back, I noticed the driver side front of my car seemed to be a bit lower than the passenger. When I upgraded my rear springs and front struts, it helped some, but still looked off-kilter. Well, lately I've been hearing this sing sound when I make a sharp right turn (like turning into a parking stall). I thought maybe it was tire rub, but I see no evidence of that, and today when I was under doing an oil change, I noticed that the ball joint is ALMOST touching the rotor! Comparing to the passenger side, I'd say there's about 3/4" difference in height. I suspect there's enough play that, on tight turns, they actually come in contact with each other - hence the scaping noise.
So, how much damage have I caused in driving it like this for probably close to a year (noise just started in the last couple weeks, tho). And what do I need to have replaced? I don't really have the means to do major suspension work at home...but I have a reputable shop that I can bring it to. Far as I can tell, passenger side seems fine. Car drives fine otherwise...no pulling.
Thanks much!
Title: Suspension Issues
Post by: daminc on October 30, 2011, 08:45:40 PM
Post by: daminc on October 30, 2011, 08:45:40 PM
guessing right off the start.. it's a broken spring. got any pics of what you are looking at. could be a bunch of problems going on down there
Title: Suspension Issues
Post by: bike70ride on October 31, 2011, 11:28:37 AM
Post by: bike70ride on October 31, 2011, 11:28:37 AM
Here's some photos I took this morning before driving to work. I shouldhave taken some close-ups while it was up on the ramps yesterday, but didn't...
Personally, I don't think it's a broken spring due to the height/location difference between the sides as highlighted on the photos...
Driver Side:
Passenger Side:
Personally, I don't think it's a broken spring due to the height/location difference between the sides as highlighted on the photos...
Driver Side:
Passenger Side:
Title: Suspension Issues
Post by: bike70ride on October 31, 2011, 11:29:54 AM
Post by: bike70ride on October 31, 2011, 11:29:54 AM
Passenger Side:
Title: Suspension Issues
Post by: bike70ride on October 31, 2011, 11:33:22 AM
Post by: bike70ride on October 31, 2011, 11:33:22 AM
I just noticed looking at the photos that on the D side, the rubber (?) cap just above the ball joint is not like the P side. On P side, it's visibly compressed (normal?) Is something loose or "dropped" on the D side, perhaps?
Title: Suspension Issues
Post by: The Shredder on October 31, 2011, 11:33:31 AM
Post by: The Shredder on October 31, 2011, 11:33:31 AM
So has the ball joint nut backed off on the Driver's side? The difference is above where the spindle attaches to the ball joint. Do you have two different ball joints?
Title: Suspension Issues
Post by: bike70ride on October 31, 2011, 12:51:22 PM
Post by: bike70ride on October 31, 2011, 12:51:22 PM
Haven't checked that. A possibility. I believe the ball joints are the same, I have not had them replaced recently.
Title: Suspension Issues
Post by: jrad235 on October 31, 2011, 08:19:26 PM
Post by: jrad235 on October 31, 2011, 08:19:26 PM
Shredder, you may be right, in which case I would NOT be driving that car around!
Title: Suspension Issues
Post by: bryan163 on October 31, 2011, 08:34:38 PM
Post by: bryan163 on October 31, 2011, 08:34:38 PM
Make sure the ball joint hasn't separated before you drive it again. kinda looks like the rotor might be the only thing holding it together:dunno:
Title: Suspension Issues
Post by: Dan B. on October 31, 2011, 08:49:03 PM
Post by: Dan B. on October 31, 2011, 08:49:03 PM
Quote from: bryan163;371634
Make sure the ball joint hasn't separated before you drive it again. kinda looks like the rotor might be the only thing holding it together:dunno:
That's my thoughts....bro-in-law's fox'stang ball joint popped and made a mess...tire into fender, lower control arm mangled and more ugliness.
Title: Suspension Issues
Post by: daminc on October 31, 2011, 09:08:27 PM
Post by: daminc on October 31, 2011, 09:08:27 PM
yea, don't drive it until you replace that....
Title: Suspension Issues
Post by: Haystack on October 31, 2011, 10:45:27 PM
Post by: Haystack on October 31, 2011, 10:45:27 PM
Yeah, I am thinking your ball joint is broken, just looking at the difference in height. Don't drive it till you can get that fixed, or looked into.
Title: Suspension Issues
Post by: bike70ride on November 02, 2011, 01:28:03 PM
Post by: bike70ride on November 02, 2011, 01:28:03 PM
Thx guys! Concerned now...it's my DD and I have to use it to get to work. Wife is going out of town for business tomorrow, so I'd have no other way to get to work other than bike 15 miles in 40 degree weather! Is there anything I can do about it myself? I'm gathering that in any case, I need to have the ball joint replaced (I'd do both sides), so I wouldn't be trying to "get out of that", but just trying to make something work temporarily. There's a shop close by the house that I can bring it to...guess I may need to take a day off tomorrow!
Title: Suspension Issues
Post by: daminc on November 02, 2011, 06:15:22 PM
Post by: daminc on November 02, 2011, 06:15:22 PM
I myself, would not drive that until it got looked at
Title: Suspension Issues
Post by: Haystack on November 02, 2011, 07:51:14 PM
Post by: Haystack on November 02, 2011, 07:51:14 PM
I would even be iffy driving to a shop. Pull the a-arm and spindle or maybe tow it...
And I have driven my car till the wheel literally fell off.
And I have driven my car till the wheel literally fell off.
Title: Suspension Issues
Post by: Kitz Kat on November 03, 2011, 03:03:14 PM
Post by: Kitz Kat on November 03, 2011, 03:03:14 PM
You can check some things out, you got a floor jack?
Title: Suspension Issues
Post by: bigbada1 on November 03, 2011, 03:31:50 PM
Post by: bigbada1 on November 03, 2011, 03:31:50 PM
My ball joint came apart like that and I too could hear sing just like you described. Luckly mine finally came completly apart while turning at low speed in a parking lot. I would not have wanted that to have happened while running down the road at 70.
Title: Suspension Issues
Post by: bike70ride on November 03, 2011, 03:39:16 PM
Post by: bike70ride on November 03, 2011, 03:39:16 PM
Quote from: Kitz Kat;371863
You can check some things out, you got a floor jack?
Yeah, I do. I do a lot of my own work on the car, so I can check stuff out (I just replaced both axle half shafts on my wife's 2003 VW Passat). Just not sure I'm equipped to do suspension work (no air tools for one thing). I need to check the Haynes manual and see what they say for ball joint replacement...I know the parts aren't expensive. I have an appointment to bring it in tomorrow, but if the job looks very do-able, I might cancel and work on it this weekend. Any repair pointers are appreciated!
Title: Suspension Issues
Post by: Haystack on November 03, 2011, 03:43:31 PM
Post by: Haystack on November 03, 2011, 03:43:31 PM
I have never done one on one of these cars, but you usually need a press to get them in.
Title: Suspension Issues
Post by: bike70ride on November 03, 2011, 04:31:16 PM
Post by: bike70ride on November 03, 2011, 04:31:16 PM
Yeah, I was thinking it would require tools beyond the garage mechanic...and an alignment after anyway, correct? So, I figured, probably just bite the bullet and bring it in...
Title: Suspension Issues
Post by: Kitz Kat on November 03, 2011, 04:34:55 PM
Post by: Kitz Kat on November 03, 2011, 04:34:55 PM
Use the jack on the A frame ,take the wheel off the ground, check for play. If no play, jack it on the frame and check for play. Could have some bad A frame bushings. It's an old car.
The spring probably is bad on the left, normal on these cars, you don't see it till it's out.
The spring probably is bad on the left, normal on these cars, you don't see it till it's out.
Title: Suspension Issues
Post by: bike70ride on November 09, 2011, 03:03:15 PM
Post by: bike70ride on November 09, 2011, 03:03:15 PM
Well, took it in for repair last Friday and (obviously) both ball joints were bad. Kinda pricey to have done, but car sits level now and I would say the front end is "tighter". Springs seem fine, so I think I'm good on suspension for the near future! Thx for the replies :)