Alright, I recently picked up a 1992 RS 3.1 with about 130,000 miles on it. The exhaust was shot, the brakes were bad but it shifted smoothly and the engine ran strong. I've just replaced the exhaust, and last night I replaced the brakes and rotors. But more problems seem to be arising. What I thought was just a rough ride before due to the brakes being bad hasn't gone away. Riding at anything below 40 miles feels like there is grinding in the front wheels. And it seems to become more evident when applying the brake at these speeds. The wheel bearings and all the other components looked to be in pretty decent shape when I took them off last night. Now on to the problem I'm more worried about. Its automatic, and when I'm at a complete stop if I accelerate slowly to moderately everything shifts very smoothly. HOWEVER, anytime from 0-15 mph if I slam on the gas I get a very large bang sound. It only does it in 1st gear, but I cannot think of what the heck is goin on. Please anybody with some info help me out. I'm about to drive this car off a cliff!!

 

backfire???, shot tranny bushing???, u-joints???

where does it seem this noise is coming from?

 

any codes? check engine light on?

you make sure the brake pads are seated properly?

 

bang noise (i'm assuuming not a backfire, as you'd probably recognize that) is most likely your tranny mount. Itll feel like a "bang,Bump," or something close, and can be felt under your arm, the whole damn car may bounce.

On your front end issues, i'm not sure, as thats a problem i haven't had...yet.

 

You're about to drive the car off a cliff already? Wow.

I agree with the tranny mount; crawl under the car and try to push the trans tailshaft up towards the sky. (Everything pivots on the engine mounts so you don't need to be super strong) If the mount is shot, the back of the trans will move up.

If the mount is still good, the back of the trans won't move no matter how hard you push- and like I said, you don't need to push hard.

So the grinding noise appears even when you're not using the brakes? You said you replaced the rotors? Did you install new bearings or re-use the old ones? Is it possible you tightened the spindle nut too tightly, or didn't pack the bearings with enough grease?

How do the brake hoses look? Are they cracked/dried up?

 

yeah, its a bang right underneath my right arm under the shifter. again, only in 1st gear though. as far as the brake pads being seated properly i'll have to yank off the wheels and check them again. when seating the outside pad it didn't lock or anything along those lines, so it felt real loose goin in. any suggestions on fitting it up better? and if it is a transmission mount, any ideas on fixing it? thanks guys for the help.

 

tomp, i did re-use the wheel bearings and i thought i packed it with enough grease. but i could be wrong, its a nice day so i'll try the things you guys have suggested. thanks again.

 

I have had the exact same noise! and never knew what it was before now...with my Camaro, if I have a few people in the car and attempt a hard acceleration, I get a big bang that feels like something is going to break into the cabin from under the car. Thanks for the info!

 

bang under right arm is tranny mount. 20 bux and about 1 hour to fix

Grinding sound, assume from front? I would guess wheel bearings. Just "looking" at them doesnt do crap. Replace them and see if its fixed.

Also look to make sure the break dust plate did not get bent and touching the rotor.

 

thanks for your help guys! i'm gonna replace the wheel bearings and re-check my work. do you guys think a wheel bearing packer is a good investment? if it saves some mess i'm game!

 

for the few buxs it cost, I got one along time ago. Hardly use it, as I dont have to pack bearings often.

 

I repack my bearings at every brake pad change; haven't gotten a chance to use my bearing packer yet. I got the one that works off a grease gun; can't wait to use it with my pneumatic grease gun!

Good idea Dale, about checking the backing plate. I wonder; can you hear the scraping noise if the front wheels are off the ground and you spin the tire? Remember the castellated nut should only be 12-16 ft/lbs tight...

 

Tranny mount is super easy BUT EXTREMELY DIRTY GREASY JOB
Jack up rear of car, slide under, small floor jack at back of tranny (for lifting), 15mm bolts (I believe) replace, done
WASH HANDS
Easier way is to find a driveway incline & have at it.
For a reward go to GINOS & PATS & LEES HOAGIES FOR ME! Eat all three at once.
I use a rubber mount.
Why just less expensive, that's all. Could I use a poly one down there, sure but at $35......

Could you tell me about PA smog checks?
Pleas send me an email about that, thanks.

 

alright, i'll go eat all 3 at once. as far as emmissions goes, any car 96 and above no longer has to have its exhaust checked, they just plug right into your dash and get a computer readout. 96 and below still have to get on the dyno and have the exhaust checked. If its nice out saturday i'm going to attempt the trans mount. Haven't tackled this sort of project yet, hope its easy. I'll e-mail you with a more in depth look at PA emmissions check.

 

well all ked85 car are older the 96, so hes gonna need that info. Way to go ked, I know whats up


Trans mount is not all that hard. Have car on ramps. Remove the center bolt to crossmember bolt (mines 16mm), then the two upper bolts into the trans (both 15mm). Push up on tailshaft with one hand (or jack if your little dude like me). Remove old, slide in new. Let trans down a little so that you can start all 3 bolts. Lower trans and THEN tighten all the bolts up.

Not a hard job at all. While your under the car, check out the torque arm mount, its on drivers side of trans. See if its ripped, or damanged in an obvious way. That is one item that visual inspection of is fine.

 

THANKS ALL for the feedback.
3 cars to be sent back there so so soon
one 1974, one 1968, one 1967. I believe too old for emission testing in PA.
Soon probably two 1985s!
And one stupid newer minivan oh the shame!!!!!
Yeah the job is only super dirty & greasy due to what you'll find down there......
IF ya can use a driveway ramp for "access" you are 100% ahead of the game. It's truly simple no true effort job. Just really realy greasy!
PLEASE enjoy those three sandwhichs, for me.
3,000 miles away and I definetly could use that Philly Food fix right now!

 

well guys, thanks for all the help. picked up a mount at autozone for 10 bucks and threw it on in a friends garage. WOW what a mess, but what a pleasent thing it is now to hit the gas and get no bang. ked85 I didn't forget about you buddy just trying to composite the info from a autoshop i used to work at. thanks again guys. Now i won't have to drive it off a cliff!