Jump to content

CLUNK FROM THE FRONT END


Recommended Posts

When I turn into my garage on full right lock, or close to it, I sometimes get a clunk from the left front.

I have jacked the front up and taken the load off the suspension with a 2nd jack and can't find any play in the top ball joint/bearings etc.

Is there a common cause of such clunks in the TR6?

Link to post
Share on other sites

Have a good look for chassis cracks on the lower inner suspension boxes first also make sure the inner lower wishbone brackets are tight in the boxes too.

Stuart.

Link to post
Share on other sites

Just a tip for checking play in suspension joints in double wishbone front suspension, lift the car

with the jack under the lower wishbone to remove weight from suspension components, this is

normal procedure when conducting an MOT test.

 

                                                              Harvey S.Maitland

 

 

Link to post
Share on other sites

Some MOT stations (well, the equivalent of that in Holland) have shifting plates in the floor, which give a sideward reversing movement. This will clearly show any clearance in rubbers, joints and chassis.

Waldi

Link to post
Share on other sites

Thank you all. I have just jacked the front left wheel up under the bottom wishbone to retest it.

The only play I can find is (what I think) a bit of play in the rack on the left side. The rack has new poly bushes, it isn't the rack moving on the chassis, but play in the rack itself. It isn't much play and it was checked in April, maybe 2000klms ago, for an MOT.

I think this is where the noise is coming from but I'm not sure. I would have thought the rack play would be taken up as you start turning, not take up with a clunk when you get near full lock.

Link to post
Share on other sites

There is a bush in the left hand end of the rack (R/hand drive) that does wear and will give a clonk.

Item number 3 here https://www.moss-europe.co.uk/shop-by-model/triumph/tr5-6/steering-suspension/steering/steering-racks-mountings-inner-columns-tr5-6.html

Stuart.

Link to post
Share on other sites
1 hour ago, John L said:

Could also be item #6 in the picture above, it keeps a bit of tension on the sliding steering rod, its under the left side rack mounting rubber.

John

Thats often missing and doesnt actually do as much as the bush the other end.

Stuart.

Link to post
Share on other sites
2 hours ago, Rogcastle said:

Hi John

Your steering rack might need centering.

Roger

The manual just says when installing to centre the rack, not how. I just looked at the rack mounts and the flange butts up against the clamp. Is there something I'm missing here.

I see new racks are available from Moss-Europe for about 130pds. As there is also a bit of play in the pinion bush this looks like the best option if it needs repair.

Link to post
Share on other sites

 You have pre tensioned the rack prior to clamping up the U bolts? There are ways of doing this detailed in the various forums if you haven't got the special tool.

I've generally found it better to rebuild  the  original Triumph/Stanpart  components than replace -I've been very disappointed by modern reproduction parts. 

Link to post
Share on other sites
46 minutes ago, Mike C said:

 You have pre tensioned the rack prior to clamping up the U bolts? There are ways of doing this detailed in the various forums if you haven't got the special tool.

I've generally found it better to rebuild  the  original Triumph/Stanpart  components than replace -I've been very disappointed by modern reproduction parts. 

Thanks Mike. The rack hasn't been out in my ownership. When I bought the car I had the previous owner have the bushes replaced which he did by a service centre known to the Triumph owners here. I can only assume they did pretension the rack. The car has been driven by a very good Triumph specialist who didn't mention anything untoward about the steering.

I take your point on new parts. They have often let me down.

Link to post
Share on other sites
4 hours ago, John McCormack said:

Thanks Mike. The rack hasn't been out in my ownership. When I bought the car I had the previous owner have the bushes replaced which he did by a service centre known to the Triumph owners here. I can only assume they did pretension the rack. The car has been driven by a very good Triumph specialist who didn't mention anything untoward about the steering.

I take your point on new parts. They have often let me down.

I  check the rack pretensioning  by  getting  someone to turn the steering wheel back and forth then watching for rack  movement. If it's not pretensioned it moves a fair bit.

Link to post
Share on other sites

I rebuilt my rack recently as opposed to replacing and the bush in the left side of the rack tube was quite worn, as per Stuart's comment. I also found the tie rod ball joints weren't shimmed properly with too much play. It did clonk under various movements prior to that, including the splines on the pinion shaft which was also replaced.

is the round bush/ spacer stop present in the lower trunnions to prevent too much lock? Mine were missing.

 

Kevin

Link to post
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

Please familiarise yourself with our Terms and Conditions. By using this site, you agree to the following: Terms of Use.