First of all, I would like to say hello. First time writer long time reader. Here is the deal, whenever I make a moderate to hard left turn while accelerating, there is a "clunking" noise from the left rear. Any ideas?

Second, does the kind of wheels say anything about the kind of firebird (SE, etc.)? I have the optional wheels, the rally wheels. Thanks.

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My only mod: Flowmaster 40 series

 

Think more mods!!! Pulleys, Dynomax Cat back, MSD Coil, ect.... Sounds like a tranny mount to me..

 

I'm thinkin' man! I just spent $360 for new rubber all around and $130 for a new radiator. I'm a little strapped for cash, but I'm working on it. I am really thinking about a chip. Which do you suggest for the most torque. (I want to be able to actually spin my tire). Please tell me you are kidding about the tranny mount.

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My only mod: Flowmaster 40 series

 

By the way, would it hurt anything to take off the belt going to the AC? It doesn't hold a charge and I don't plan on fixing it anytime soon.

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My only mod: Flowmaster 40 series

 

Just take out the AC and all its compnents it will be like 50 pounds lighter with it out.

 

Well, it's either your spare tire or the tranny mount.

Very cheap part, I think someone else mentioned that it was $20 at Summit.

 

I know it is not the spare tire because that is on the right. I'll check out the mount. If that is what it is, I'm going for polyurethane.

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My only mod: Flowmaster 40 series

 

why would a tranny mount only make the noise in a turn?
black 86, welcome to the board.. when exactally does it make this noise? does it only do it under acceleration? what if your goin straight from a standstill and tromp the gas.. if it makes the noise its prolly the tranny mount.. as far as the rims, with cars our age its hard to tell, especially if the car has had a lot of owners..

 

It doesn't do it in a straight line. Only when turning left under moderate to hard acceleration. I just got new and slightly bigger tires on the rear if that helps.

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My only mod: Flowmaster 40 series

 

well, the guys here say that my tranny mount has gone bad. And with mine when i hit the gas from a stop, going straight there's a feeling like if i had a 5th wheel directly under the transmission, that the 5th wheel hits two quick bumps, and then theirs a winding sound, before the car takes off. It's kinda freaky, guys is that the bad tranny feeling? oh yeah, welcome to the board.

[This message has been edited by 85f-bird (edited November 20, 2000).]

 

I had a similar problem, with a loud clunk especially noticeable on left hand turns. I did everything: Tranny Mount, shocks, bushings, exhaust system...clunk still there.

When my fuel pump went, I noticed that the gas tank was a little loose...that fixed the problem.

 

I was going to say something's loose back there, like maybe a shock's upper mounting bolt.

If the exhaust wiggled loose, the driveshaft's rear u-joint could be smacking the intermediate pipe and denting it.

If a hanger broke, the intermediate pipe (between cat & muffler) could be lying on (and bouncing around on) the track bar brace; that's the uppermost "sideways" rear suspension piece.


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-Tom P (Hot rodded 1986 Firebird 2.8l) from http://www.f-body.net/mailbag/3rd/3rd_mailbag.html message boards
---Think your car could be pic of the week? Visit http://www.f-body.net for details!

 

I don't think it is the intermediate pipe because that is on the right. I need a new one of those any way because there is a hole in mine in front of the muffler. I probably won't get a chance to look at any of that stuff until after the holiday weekend. We'll see.
Tom, no offense to anyone else on the board, but I have a lot of respect for you because you really seem to know what you are talking about and really help. AGAIN, NO OFFENSE TO ANYONE ELSE.

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My only mod: Flowmaster 40 series

 

Black 86 'bird, your tires.. definatly now that i know that your tires are rubbing.. the reason it does is on acceleration in a bend is just the way the weight of the car shifts.. what size tire are you running on the rear? also possible suspect rear stabilizer pin...

 

you know scoob, you might just be right. My dad said that when he got his Eagles on, that the tires would hit during turns.

 

Tom P wont you be my neighbor lol i need some one like ya to helpo me with my car when it brakes

 

I have to agree with Tom. My car did the same thing. It turned out to e a combo of my exhaust and the rear shocks. Replaced both and now the sound's gone

 

Sorry it took me so long to reply, but I was 12 hours and 700 miles away for the holiday. Anyway, I have stock 215's on the front and 255/60/15 on the rear, all BFG Radial T/A's. I just looked at the fenders and there is no evidence of rubbing. I'll probably get a better look tomorrow because I am at college now and a little short on time. I should write all of this down so I won't forget what I need to look at.

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My only mod: Flowmaster 40 series

 

Thanks Black86, I try. I actually had my driveshaft u-joint smacking my I-pipe; turned out I lost a bolt from the panhard rod. I didn't re-check the torque of anything after I put my 3.73/posi/disc axle in! Luckily it happened by my house; I found the bolt a few houses down in the road. Of course the nut was nowhere to be seen... I had a spare, put it on, and retorqued everything ASAP!


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-Tom P (Hot rodded 1986 Firebird 2.8l) from http://www.f-body.net/mailbag/3rd/3rd_mailbag.html message boards
---Think your car could be pic of the week? Visit http://www.f-body.net for details!

 

I had a simliar experience. please help me out. When I was pulling a U-turn on a four laner there was pretty lound clunk at the strongest point of rotation during the turn. I don't think it was the spare. Not the right noise. By the way I have that tightly fitted now. But can it be a tranny mount? I just had the transmission fixed about a month ago. the clunk was about a week later. It apears to be ok now. I have taken it easy on turns jis in case. Could it just have been the shocks bottoming out?

 

i think all our cars make a clunk during a tight u-turn. if i turn my wheel ALL the way during a turn, i get a clunk but it comes from the steering. nothing to worry about.

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Dan
1990 3.1L RS
80 Series Flowmaster
It's fast(er than a 3 cyl metro)

 

Could it be tire HOP ive only had this once when i was doin about 130 and hit turn a herd my right tire go thunk til i was out of the turn.. Possibaly bad springs????

 

Well, I got word from a mechanic that it may be the pinion gear. I'm going to have it checked out tomorrow. I still think it is my intermediate pipe on the upper track bar brace. I'll keep you all posted.

CaliCamaroRS, when I turn my wheel all the way, my tires rub. I don't know if that has anything to do with your problem, but I have the stock 215's on mine. Stock! And it STILL rubs. Go figure. GM problem? I think so.


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My only mod: Flowmaster 40 series

 

I had a similar problem. I talked to a Camaro specialist at my step-dad's work, and he said that there are clutches in your rear end to keep the tires spinning okay in a turn - you know, the outer wheel spins faster than the inner - and the clutches allow one to spin slower without messing things up. He said that the clunking noise was the clutch slipping a tooth or two. He said it was common in older f-bodies, and was nothing to worry about, so I didn't! Hope this helps...
Vman

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1969 Camaro
383, Corvette heads, 700R4
Resto is in progress

1988 Toyota 4-Runner
aka the Parts Hauler

 

really??? when i had 245's all around, my tires would rub like crazy. but now i have 225's, which are still bigger than stock, and they've never rubbed.

also, a while ago i removed my track bar brace and when i put it back on i lost one of the passenger side bolts. well, for like 3 weeks after, i heard a clunk with EVERY left turn. then it went away so i said "f**k it".



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Dan
1990 3.1L RS
80 Series Flowmaster
It's fast(er than a 3 cyl metro)