Axle clunking?

Bad89stang · 04-07-2002, 01:04 AM

I had to remove my quad shocks until I can modify them to fit my 255/60/15 tires. With them off, the tires scraped the inner fender. I fixed that with a hammer. There is still a clunking noise coming from the rear when I accelerate or let off the gas. It also does it when I drive up a driveway at an angle. Is the axle just moving around? How do I fix it? It is not just lateral movement or I would just install a panhard bar. Any ideas? I checked the swaybar and it is intact and bolted tightly.

89 ATI · 04-07-2002, 07:42 AM

New bushings in the control arms would probably stop it from moving around.

Stang_Crazy · 04-07-2002, 11:16 AM

It's my understanding that the purpose of the quad shocks are to prevent the axle from moving around. Since you removed your quads, your axle is probably just moving a little bit. Once you get the quad shocks back on, that clunking should stop.

Jeb_Bush_2000 · 04-07-2002, 11:26 AM

I get the same clunking noise...except I still have all my shocks.

Maybe it's the U-joints?

Bad89stang · 04-07-2002, 11:45 AM

I really think it could be the bushings like he said. I tried to put the quads back on and it still made the noise.

RageForces · 04-07-2002, 04:40 PM

The axle on my mustang was doing the same thing. It turned out to be the lower control arm bushings.

Bad89stang · 04-08-2002, 01:52 AM

How can I tell if the bushing are bad? Besides just looking for cracks and dry rotting? Can I put it up on stands and try to move the axle? I don't know if I can put enough force on it to make it shift.

JohnnyG · 04-08-2002, 12:53 PM

It could be that with the added traction of the wide tires, you cracked the spot welds on the torque boxes... the clunking could also be the walls of the torque boxes shifting under load. Check them out before you change bushings... also, I would look into that panhard bar as opposed to stiffer bushings... you really want to minimize bind while taming the axle.

John

04-07-2002, 01:04 AM	#1
Bad89stang Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Ft. Worth, TX Posts: 456	Axle clunking? I had to remove my quad shocks until I can modify them to fit my 255/60/15 tires. With them off, the tires scraped the inner fender. I fixed that with a hammer. There is still a clunking noise coming from the rear when I accelerate or let off the gas. It also does it when I drive up a driveway at an angle. Is the axle just moving around? How do I fix it? It is not just lateral movement or I would just install a panhard bar. Any ideas? I checked the swaybar and it is intact and bolted tightly. __________________ You're gonna need your seatbelt

04-07-2002, 07:42 AM	#2
89 ATI Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Lafayette, Indiana Posts: 120	New bushings in the control arms would probably stop it from moving around. __________________ 89 GT convertible, Kenny Brown level 5, Edelbrock performer, AFR 165's, Comp cams XE270HR, C&L 76, 24# inj, Crane 1.7's, 70mm BBK throttle body 298.2 hp 328.2 tq Mustang dyno "Our lady of blessed acceleration don't fail me now" Elwood Blues

04-07-2002, 11:16 AM	#3
Stang_Crazy It's never clean enough! Join Date: Jan 1999 Location: Shaler, PA Posts: 1,542	axle clunking It's my understanding that the purpose of the quad shocks are to prevent the axle from moving around. Since you removed your quads, your axle is probably just moving a little bit. Once you get the quad shocks back on, that clunking should stop. __________________ ~Dan 2001 SVT Lightning 89' GT : Taking up garage space and waiting for a buyer... Rice Hater's Club - Member #11

04-07-2002, 11:45 AM	#5
Bad89stang Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Ft. Worth, TX Posts: 456	Bushings... I really think it could be the bushings like he said. I tried to put the quads back on and it still made the noise. __________________ You're gonna need your seatbelt

04-08-2002, 01:52 AM	#7
Bad89stang Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Ft. Worth, TX Posts: 456	Bushings... How can I tell if the bushing are bad? Besides just looking for cracks and dry rotting? Can I put it up on stands and try to move the axle? I don't know if I can put enough force on it to make it shift. __________________ You're gonna need your seatbelt

04-07-2002, 11:26 AM	#4
Jeb_Bush_2000 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Taxachusetts Posts: 374	I get the same clunking noise...except I still have all my shocks. Maybe it's the U-joints?

04-07-2002, 04:40 PM	#6
RageForces Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: S.C Posts: 28	The axle on my mustang was doing the same thing. It turned out to be the lower control arm bushings.

04-08-2002, 12:53 PM	#8
JohnnyG Registered Member Join Date: Feb 1999 Location: Baltimore, MD USA Posts: 105	It could be that with the added traction of the wide tires, you cracked the spot welds on the torque boxes... the clunking could also be the walls of the torque boxes shifting under load. Check them out before you change bushings... also, I would look into that panhard bar as opposed to stiffer bushings... you really want to minimize bind while taming the axle. John __________________ 1991 GT Vert- Black/Black/Black Exhaust, Tremec, Tri-Ax, Centerforce Dual Friction, 3.73's, Rear Seat Delete MM Road & Track Kit PBR 5-Lug Brakes Cobra R's w/ 255 Rubber Rice Hater's Club #60

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