Stupid F***ing Steering - Zilvia.net Forums | Nissan 240SX (Silvia) and Z (Fairlady) Car Forum

uiuc240 · 08-21-2002, 12:50 PM

So I got the car back from the alignment shop.  It drives straight.  Yay.  I also was having them put new inner and outer tie rod ends on, in hopes of curing the retarded clunk I have in the front suspension.  Well, long story short...no change.  Still freaking clunks!

Here's what I've replaced (and the clunking was there BEFORE I replaced any of these parts...it's been there for well over a year):

Whiteline TC bushings
Whiteline LCA bushings
Whiteline sway bars with poly bushings
Whiteline springs
Koni yellow shocks
Moog ball joints
Moog outer tie rod ends
Moog inner tie rod ends
Swapped strut bearings with a 93 that has no clunk...the 93 has no clunk with my bearings either

Only parts left to replace:
Steering rack bushings (didn't know they existed until last week)
Steering rack

At least I have it narrowed down...but the damn rack is expensive!

So yeah, my day sucks.  Oh, and they said the rear "toe adjuster" was "frozen".  I don't even know what that part is.  Does it freeze?  Can I fix it?  Right now the toe is OK....0.1" toe-in.

Any comments would be appreciated.  Or if you have a rack you want to sell me for cheap, and you know it's GOOD, I'm all ears.

Eric

bbp · 08-21-2002, 02:35 PM

I may have a line on a steering rack.  But before you do that, explain, in colorful detail, this "clunk".

Do you have coilovers?

Fuzzy Ewok · 08-21-2002, 03:12 PM

Yeah, explain the clunk and conditions in a bit more detail when you get a chance...

Also, if you haven't done this already, go check every single bolt you can get at up there.  A family member had something that could only described as a "clunk" and it ended up just being a stupid loose bolt (I don't know where it was, though...they finally found it).  But you could actually feel it through the floor, as well as hear it.  But it took us and the shop months to figure it out.

FORCFED · 08-22-2002, 05:01 AM

Try checking to see if your springs sit in the purch the right way. My 240 was making a clunk noise when i turned the steering wheel and it was just the spring sitting in the purch the wrong way. make sure to check both top and bottom.

s13silady · 08-22-2002, 05:08 AM

i had a clunking noise too when i turned the steering wheel...but its fixed now cuz i just took the rubbery plastic thingies that wrapped around the top and bottom parts of my stock springs and walla! no more clunking... <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt='

'> could be wrong though but try it....

s13silady · 08-22-2002, 05:11 AM

oops haha... i forget to say to put those plastic rubbery thingies on the new springs... hehe... <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt='

'>

GamblerZ · 08-22-2002, 09:11 AM

<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt='

'> "...those plastic rubbery thingies on the new springs..."

That certainly gave me a chuckle.  I have to assume you must be referring to Whiteline's spiral coil wrap that quiets noisy, clunky springs?  <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt='

'>

Have a good day.

maddindian · 08-22-2002, 08:02 PM

I have a 'clunk' or a 'click' when I turn the steering wheel at low speeds (backing out of a parking space)...is this the same noise that you are referring to?

However I have the stock sports suspension (CDN car..so our LE is USDM SE), so I don't think the springs can be put on the wrong way. However the rubber covering over the springs/struts is torn..but I doubt that could be the problem.

rampid360 · 08-23-2002, 05:28 PM

Im sure in the course of replacing about every bushing on your car you would have noticed this one if it was the case.  My car made a bit of a clunk every once in awhile....turned out to be a snapped bolt on the half-bracket that holds the sway bar in place. The bar was clunking around because it wasn't held securly.  (I just puled the control asbly and welded a new bolt on)    I doubt it's that, but worth checking in case.

240 2NR · 08-26-2002, 09:57 AM

Like he said all those parts have been replaced and most of the suspension parts were installed at the same time as mine, so they were installed in the same exact way and mine don't clunk.  In fact I have his entire stut assembly on my car (springs and struts for 2 weeks even with no clunks).

Plenty of detail is in other posts he started but basically its a loud knock at low speed turns and over big bumps.

If anything is loose it was loose before and after replacing every part he listed.  Can anyone thing of a part that could be loose that wouldn't require having a bolt loosened to replace all those psrts?

tnord · 08-26-2002, 10:14 AM

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (s13silady @ Aug. 22 2002,06:08)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">i had a clunking noise too when i turned the steering wheel...but its fixed now cuz i just took the rubbery plastic thingies that wrapped around the top and bottom parts of my stock springs and walla! no more clunking... <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt='

'> could be wrong though but try it....</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
i had the same problem, as well as the same solution, but he doesn't believe that is the issue.

240 2NR · 08-26-2002, 10:21 AM

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (tnord @ Aug. 26 2002,11:14)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE"><!--QuoteBegin--s13silady+Aug. 22 2002,06<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':0'></span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (s13silady @ Aug. 22 2002,06<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':0'>8)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">i had a clunking noise too when i turned the steering wheel...but its fixed now cuz i just took the rubbery plastic thingies that wrapped around the top and bottom parts of my stock springs and walla! no more clunking... <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt='

'> could be wrong though but try it....</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
i had the same problem, as well as the same solution, but he doesn't believe that is the issue.</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
That's an interesting solution.  I still have them top and bottom on mine all around (i think) with no clunks, but I'm trying to remeber if his got top and bottom or just one side.  I know somewhere a few got ommitted.

Flybert · 06-17-2003, 05:27 PM

Quote:

I have a 'clunk' or a 'click' when I turn the steering wheel at low speeds (backing out of a parking space)

I have this same problem. What could this be?

Bill Roberts · 06-17-2003, 05:44 PM

Have you thought about it being the brake pads? Mine do that.

Damn, look at the date...My Bad...but I did not bring the thread back up.....

Flybert, some of the Oldbees don't like the idea of bringing up old topics...prepare for flames...I will don my flame resistant suit...

hookedup240 · 06-17-2003, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Flybert
I have this same problem. What could this be?

That is your bushings, they are shot.

PLEASE DON'T REVIVE OLD THREADS, SEARCH OR MAKE A NEW ONE.

*crioten* · 06-17-2003, 06:13 PM

i hate it too when people bring back the zombie threads, but come on, sometimes you get what you deserve...

all this **** about "use the search button" crap...well, when people do, this pops up sometimes...

also, whats so dam bad about bringing up old threads anyway? are you amazed that people are just doing what you instructed them to do?

hookedup240 · 06-17-2003, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by crioten
i hate it too when people bring back the zombie threads, but come on, sometimes you get what you deserve...

all this **** about "use the search button" crap...well, when people do, this pops up sometimes...

also, whats so dam bad about bringing up old threads anyway? are you amazed that people are just doing what you instructed them to do?

Hey honestly i don't care if someone revives an old thread. But i was just preparing him for what the mods were gonna say. Or an explanation for it maybe being locked.

*crioten* · 06-17-2003, 06:50 PM

yeah, i know what ya mean, but im tired of hearing people being hippicrates(sp?)

search...wtf did ya do that for...search...wtf did ya do that for...

i dunno, i get mad sometimes...

08-21-2002, 12:50 PM	#1
uiuc240 Nissanaholic! Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Naperville, IL Age: 46 Posts: 2,093 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	So I got the car back from the alignment shop.  It drives straight.  Yay.  I also was having them put new inner and outer tie rod ends on, in hopes of curing the retarded clunk I have in the front suspension.  Well, long story short...no change.  Still freaking clunks! Here's what I've replaced (and the clunking was there BEFORE I replaced any of these parts...it's been there for well over a year): Whiteline TC bushings Whiteline LCA bushings Whiteline sway bars with poly bushings Whiteline springs Koni yellow shocks Moog ball joints Moog outer tie rod ends Moog inner tie rod ends Swapped strut bearings with a 93 that has no clunk...the 93 has no clunk with my bearings either Only parts left to replace: Steering rack bushings (didn't know they existed until last week) Steering rack At least I have it narrowed down...but the damn rack is expensive! So yeah, my day sucks.  Oh, and they said the rear "toe adjuster" was "frozen".  I don't even know what that part is.  Does it freeze?  Can I fix it?  Right now the toe is OK....0.1" toe-in. Any comments would be appreciated.  Or if you have a rack you want to sell me for cheap, and you know it's GOOD, I'm all ears. Eric __________________ 2002 Mazda Protege5 1989 S13 w/SR20DET (sold)

08-21-2002, 02:35 PM	#2
bbp Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: oHIo Age: 53 Posts: 477 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I may have a line on a steering rack.  But before you do that, explain, in colorful detail, this "clunk". Do you have coilovers? __________________

08-22-2002, 05:08 AM	#5
s13silady Nissanaholic! Join Date: May 2002 Location: Bay Area, San Jose Posts: 1,804 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	i had a clunking noise too when i turned the steering wheel...but its fixed now cuz i just took the rubbery plastic thingies that wrapped around the top and bottom parts of my stock springs and walla! no more clunking... <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''> could be wrong though but try it.... __________________

08-22-2002, 05:11 AM	#6
s13silady Nissanaholic! Join Date: May 2002 Location: Bay Area, San Jose Posts: 1,804 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	oops haha... i forget to say to put those plastic rubbery thingies on the new springs... hehe... <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''> __________________

08-22-2002, 09:11 AM	#7
GamblerZ Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: West Texas Posts: 414 Trader Rating: (1) Feedback Score: 1 reviews	<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''> "...those plastic rubbery thingies on the new springs..." That certainly gave me a chuckle.  I have to assume you must be referring to Whiteline's spiral coil wrap that quiets noisy, clunky springs?  <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''> Have a good day. __________________ Visit WTI - WestTexasImports.net

08-21-2002, 03:12 PM	#3
Fuzzy Ewok Leaky Injector Join Date: Jul 2001 Posts: 90 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Yeah, explain the clunk and conditions in a bit more detail when you get a chance... Also, if you haven't done this already, go check every single bolt you can get at up there.  A family member had something that could only described as a "clunk" and it ended up just being a stupid loose bolt (I don't know where it was, though...they finally found it).  But you could actually feel it through the floor, as well as hear it.  But it took us and the shop months to figure it out.

08-22-2002, 05:01 AM	#4
FORCFED Leaky Injector Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 64 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Try checking to see if your springs sit in the purch the right way. My 240 was making a clunk noise when i turned the steering wheel and it was just the spring sitting in the purch the wrong way. make sure to check both top and bottom.

08-22-2002, 08:02 PM	#8
maddindian Leaky Injector Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 69 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I have a 'clunk' or a 'click' when I turn the steering wheel at low speeds (backing out of a parking space)...is this the same noise that you are referring to? However I have the stock sports suspension (CDN car..so our LE is USDM SE), so I don't think the springs can be put on the wrong way. However the rubber covering over the springs/struts is torn..but I doubt that could be the problem. __________________ -> '99 Maxima GLE <fully loaded> -> '95 240SX LE 5-spd <fully loaded>

08-23-2002, 05:28 PM	#9
rampid360 Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 328 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Im sure in the course of replacing about every bushing on your car you would have noticed this one if it was the case.  My car made a bit of a clunk every once in awhile....turned out to be a snapped bolt on the half-bracket that holds the sway bar in place. The bar was clunking around because it wasn't held securly.  (I just puled the control asbly and welded a new bolt on)    I doubt it's that, but worth checking in case. __________________ For every winner there are dozens of losers.  Odds are you're one of them.

08-26-2002, 09:57 AM	#10
240 2NR Zilvia FREAK! Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Denver Posts: 1,131 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Like he said all those parts have been replaced and most of the suspension parts were installed at the same time as mine, so they were installed in the same exact way and mine don't clunk.  In fact I have his entire stut assembly on my car (springs and struts for 2 weeks even with no clunks). Plenty of detail is in other posts he started but basically its a loud knock at low speed turns and over big bumps. If anything is loose it was loose before and after replacing every part he listed.  Can anyone thing of a part that could be loose that wouldn't require having a bolt loosened to replace all those psrts? __________________ Steve 93 240sx FB currently very clean and for sale

08-26-2002, 10:14 AM	#11
tnord Nissanaholic! Join Date: Dec 2001 Posts: 1,975 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (s13silady @ Aug. 22 2002,06:08)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">i had a clunking noise too when i turned the steering wheel...but its fixed now cuz i just took the rubbery plastic thingies that wrapped around the top and bottom parts of my stock springs and walla! no more clunking... <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''> could be wrong though but try it....</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'> i had the same problem, as well as the same solution, but he doesn't believe that is the issue.

08-26-2002, 10:21 AM	#12
240 2NR Zilvia FREAK! Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Denver Posts: 1,131 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (tnord @ Aug. 26 2002,11:14)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE"><!--QuoteBegin--s13silady+Aug. 22 2002,06<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':0'></span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (s13silady @ Aug. 22 2002,06<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':0'>8)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">i had a clunking noise too when i turned the steering wheel...but its fixed now cuz i just took the rubbery plastic thingies that wrapped around the top and bottom parts of my stock springs and walla! no more clunking... <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''> could be wrong though but try it....</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'> i had the same problem, as well as the same solution, but he doesn't believe that is the issue.</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'> That's an interesting solution.  I still have them top and bottom on mine all around (i think) with no clunks, but I'm trying to remeber if his got top and bottom or just one side.  I know somewhere a few got ommitted. __________________ Steve 93 240sx FB currently very clean and for sale

06-17-2003, 05:44 PM	#14
Bill Roberts Zilvia FREAK! Join Date: May 2003 Location: S FL. Posts: 1,538 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Have you thought about it being the brake pads? Mine do that. Damn, look at the date...My Bad...but I did not bring the thread back up..... Flybert, some of the Oldbees don't like the idea of bringing up old topics...prepare for flames...I will don my flame resistant suit... Last edited by Bill Roberts; 06-17-2003 at 05:47 PM..