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Topic: clanking in front end (Read 2872 times) previous topic - next topic

clanking in front end

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:

Re: clanking in front end

Reply #1 –
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.
Quote from: jcassity
I honestly dont think you could exceed the cost of a new car buy installing new *stock* parts everywhere in your coug our tbird. Its just plain impossible. You could revamp the entire drivetrain/engine/suspenstion and still come out ahead.
Hooligans! 
1988 Crown Vic wagon. 120K California car. Wifes grocery getter. (junked)
1987 Ford Thunderbird LX. 5.0. s.o., sn-95 t-5 and an f-150 clutch. Driven daily and going strong.
1986 cougar.
lilsammywasapunkrocker@yahoo.com

Re: clanking in front end

Reply #2 –
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:

Re: clanking in front end

Reply #3 –
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.
'88 Sport--T-5,MGW shifter,Trick Flow R intake,Ed Curtis cam,Trick Flow heads,Scorpion rockers,75mm Accufab t-body,3G,mini starter,Taurus fan,BBK long tube headers,O/R H-Pipe, Flowamaster Super 44's, deep and deeper Cobra R wheels, Mass Air and 24's,8.8 with 3.73's,140 mph speedo,Mach 1 chin spoiler,SN-95 springs,CHE control arms,aluminum drive shaft and a lot more..

Re: clanking in front end

Reply #4 –
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
84 TC 302 -5.0L/t5/7.5 locking rear and a 3.45 gear, Edelbrock Intake, Aluminum Heads, Edlebrock 65mm Throttlebody, Edlebrock Cam, 24lb injectors & MAS Air Sensor calibrated via chip,  BBK headers, Catback H pipe, Magnaflow lers :evilgrin:
:pics-stfu:

 Project Thread with pics

Re: clanking in front end

Reply #5 –
Quote from: blu84302
I use to drive my bird with no stabilizer link kits. 


Now why would you go and do that?

Re: clanking in front end

Reply #6 –
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.

Re: clanking in front end

Reply #7 –
That's exactly what it is.
My '88 XR7 was missing a sway-bar bushing when I bought it... plenty loud!
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

Re: clanking in front end

Reply #8 –
so it moves around not only when I go over bumps, but when I hit the brakes?

Re: clanking in front end

Reply #9 –
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.

Re: clanking in front end

Reply #10 –
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:
1986 bird, 306, Dart heads, 550 lift cam, exp. intake, 50lbs injectors, 76mm C&L MAF, Procharger D1R blower 14lbs, 3 core intercooler, 55shot ZEX N20, tremec 5speed, 3.73 gears, auburn pro posi,headman full length headers, 3" exhaust
custom chip by 5.8FastCat

[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]1955 bird 351w, AFR 185 Heads, 580 lift cam, D1R  Procharger 10lbs tremec 5speed, 3.92 Gears

2007 Hayabusa, R-22 pipes, K&N,  Power Commander
192hp


"Imports are like tampons, every p@$$y has one"

Re: clanking in front end

Reply #11 –
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