Skwerl

When the car is parked, and I have to back out and turn the wheel all the way to one side, there is always a kind of clunking sound coming from somewhere in the front. It also feels like I am running over a rock or something with the front wheels. This only happens when the wheel is cut all the way to one side, and only then when I'm backing up. It's a 90 S2. Any ideas?

trebor_quitman

I've got guesses, but none of them are educated. Do you have the original wheels and offsets? Could be the tires rubbing inside the wheel wells. Good luck

Skwerl

Yep, stock wheels. I've only been in the situation that creates it a few times, so maybe I'll go out to an empty parking lot and try to pinpoint it.

jason952

how are the ball joints, does the car wander at speed?

Michael Stephenson

Ball joints were the first thing that entered my mind as well. I would have this checked ASAP because if it is a ball joint going bad, you could be in for a very sudden and nasty surprise.

With a little luck it will be something more benign, but you should not take the chance.

For reference, I had my A-arms rebuilt (new ball joints) at 78,000 miles.

For more information go to <a href="http://porsche-944-garage.tripod.com/" target="_blank">944 Garage</a> , then to “944 Garage Shop Manual” then to “SUSP-07”. The article lists sounds like you describe as indicators of a bad ball joint.

Scott at Team Harco

My first guess would be a lower ball joint (as if you haven't hear that already). But before you start throwing money in that direction - verify that there is nothing wrong with your front anti-sway bar. Carefully inspect all end links and bushings. If there is any doubt you can completely remove the bar and then try to duplicate the manuever that creates the noise. If it returns (the noise)then you know it's not related to the bar - and unfortunately it probably is a ball joint.

Other possibilities: Brakes, tire contacting something, steering tie rod end or loose strut bolts.

Good luck. Let us know what you find.

Scott
Team Harco Motorsports
"Win on Sunday, Sleep on Monday" <img src="graemlins/burnout.gif" border="0" alt="[burnout]" />

Tom

My car is making a similar type noise that seems to come from the back, making me think of CV Joints.

bpp944

Skwer,

I had the same trouble with my 944; the culprit was definitely the ball-joints.

Skwerl

It doesn't wander at speed, it stays straight as an arrow. But it still is probably the ball joints? What do those go for?

Hans

[quote] But it still is probably the ball joints? <hr></blockquote>
Yes
also possible:
- A-arm joints (to the frame)
- Steering rack (specially at the end of the stroke)
- Steering arm ball joints
- Strud top bearing

Put the car up on jackstands and start pushing / wiggling / ... in every possible direction on each wheel in extreeme position of the steering wheel (max left / max right / center.
Than see what you have got.

A-arm ball joints can not be obtained as separate item from the P-dealer. They go with the complete arm, are "nicely" priced.
Check the archives, a recent thread showed there was someone that did replacement joints for Alu A-arms (Marcus Blasac? - Blasac Motorsport, Canada?).
Take care

Michael Stephenson

[quote] When the car is parked, and I have to back out and turn the wheel all the way to one side, there is always a kind of clunking sound coming from somewhere in the front. It also feels like I am running over a rock or something with the front wheels. This only happens when the wheel is cut all the way to one side, and only then when I'm backing up. <hr></blockquote>

Damnedest thing happened last night when I was baking out of a tight parking space and I had the wheel turned hard to the left (drivers side) – I heard two clunks and with each clunk it felt as if I had run over a rock. It felt as if the rock was under the passenger side wheel. This has never happened before.

I tried to repeat this in the cul-de-sac when I got home, but nada. I had both my A-arms rebuilt about 4,000 miles ago so I am hoping that it is something more benign.

Hans

[quote]...baking out of a tight parking space and I had the wheel turned hard to the left (drivers side) – I heard two clunks and with each clunk it felt as if I had run over a rock. It felt as if the rock was under the passenger side wheel. <hr></blockquote>
Next thought: wheel bearing play.
At max turned wheel the "lenk rol radius"(distance between -the tire contact surface center- and the imaginary line between strud top and a-arm ball, extended to the ground) becomes positive, so goes through 0 mm distance.
This will turn the direction of force in the front wheel bearings 180 degrees.
Any play here will then be noticeble as 'clunc' or 'bump'
Bearing play should be noticed while on jack stands and wiggling the wheels as described above.
Take Care

MadMax

Michael and Skwerl,
The same thing happens in my 1991 S2 Cabriolet. When I cut the wheel all the way to the left and back up I get a clunk, clunk and it feels like the passenger front wheel is running over a rock. When I pull back into my parking spot and try to duplicate the noise it refuses to do it. My car too only makes this noise when backing out to the left. I have no idea what this could be. My A-Arms were also replaced less than 20,000 miles ago. Any ideas guys?

I think it could be the front wheel bearing adjustment. I may readjust it to see.

Regards,
Max

Scott at Team Harco

Bingo!

Wheel bearings. Sorry I didn't realize that sooner. It is so clear now!
Enjoy Wheel bearings are one of the easiest jobs for even a beginner. Please don't pay someone to do this for you (not knowing how mechanically inclined you may be).

Ask for help here if you need it.

Scott
just got the 'links' page working at <a href="http://www.teamharco.com" target="_blank">www.teamharco.com</a> I have a link to Rennlist - it's a great place to be! <img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />

Skwerl

I was looking through the archives, and it does look pretty simple. But I wonder, should I just replace them? I don't believe they have been replaced for a long time, and they look pretty cheap at Performance Products. I was reading about "repacking" them -- does that mean popping them out, then just putting them back in? Should that solve the problem? And how likely is it the problem? After a few more tests, it does seem to be exactly like what the others describe.