Tweet
Mystery of Clunking Noise Solved
I wonder if anyone else has experienced this. A few weeks ago we started hearing this strange clunking sound that sounded like it was coming from the rear. I thought maybe something was stuck under the car. I checked & saw nothing. The sound would come & go but was becoming quite annoying. Well I had to take the Bird in for a oil change & suspension work(I"ll post about that later) & I mentioned this strange noise. As we were leaving Hector the service rep calls me over & says I want to show you something. The culprit was one of the wheel bolts with the nut had sheered off & was rolling around inside the lug nut cover. So ends the case of the mystery noise.
-
sigpic -
Re: Mystery of Clunking Noise Solved
Glad you solved your problem. Any idea as to why that happened? -
Re: Mystery of Clunking Noise Solved
My guess is it was some idiot service tech, who rotated the wheels and put them back on with an Air-Gun, at full speed!!Originally posted by 007Cruiser View PostDaveR (as seen on survelance TV)Comment
-
Re: Mystery of Clunking Noise Solved
I got a flat tire, on the highway, after having my tires rotated. Knowing I could change it faster than waiting for AAA, I decided to do it myself. Couldn't budge the lugnuts. A state trooper stopped to help me and he couldn't budge them either. Had to have the car towed to the dealership for a flat tire.
Now, I tell them to tighten them by hand.Comment
-
Re: Mystery of Clunking Noise Solved
The improper/overtightening of lug nuts is also one of the biggest causes of rotor
warpage of the disc brakes.sigpic
2010 Jaguar XK coupe
1995 Lexus SC300 (aka Toyota Soarer)
1985 Honda Nighhawk "S"
2013 Lexus RX350 - wife's
2013 Mercedes E-350 coupe
Comment
-
Re: Mystery of Clunking Noise Solved
As recommended in the Ford Thunerbird manual under " Road Emergencies" page 141, wheel lug nuts should be torqued between 85-115 Lb-ft. The lug nuts should come off with out a problem if properly torqued.sigpicComment
-
Re: Mystery of Clunking Noise Solved
Originally posted by 94mcd View Post
Always remember to tighten the lug nuts, on any wheel for that matter, in a star pattern, i.e., after tightening one go 180 degrees opposite for the next nut, then the opposite side again for the next, etc, etc. Just remember how we all knew how to draw a 5 point star on paper, which is exactly how you tighten lug nuts. Never tighten in a continuous circular pattern, i.e., one after another in a clockwise rotation, or counter clockwise rotation. Also, when tightening, never tighten each one (at first) with a full torque force - just give each one a good snug, until you've snugged up all of them, then repeat the 5-star pattern again, for the final torque. This method will eliminate rotor warping from improper tightening sequence. The best torque value for the T-Bird rotors are 100 ft.lbs. of torque for each.Comment
-
Re: Mystery of Clunking Noise Solved
As usual, an informative & valuable thread, Thanks to all correspondents for this info.
Comment
-
Re: Mystery of Clunking Noise Solved
Hey, nice plate...we also have "RETRO" on our 2002 bird. We were very suprised it was available in our state considering all the "retro" vehicles introduced recently. Enjoy the birds, we certainly love ours.Originally posted by Will View PostAs usual, an informative & valuable thread, Thanks to all correspondents for this info.
2015 Subaru Outback Premium
2013 Kawasaki Voyager 1700 cc
2011 Toyota CamryComment
-
Re: Mystery of Clunking Noise Solved
Welcome! Carmino. The RI owners will be glad to see you posting.Limited Edition databases for 007 msg..#26 , PCR sticky, and Cashmere msg.#64
......
Porthole Authority
.Comment
-
Re: Mystery of Clunking Noise Solved
Carmino,
Welcome to the site! I know George (MATBird) has been in contact with you regarding our New England group. Hope to see you next season at a number of our events.
I keep a registry of NE T-Bird owners and have added you to the list.
P.S. I think I've seen you on the road. I'm in Warwick and Providence a few times a month and remember seeing a White Bird with a vanity plate (but too far away to make it out).
Comment
-
Re: Mystery of Clunking Noise Solved
Aside from hand tightening, I keep a 30" piece of (cyclone) fence pipe in each of my cars. Great for situations like this. You can paint it, tape it up, or leave it like it is. Keep it in the passenger compartment, and your friendly LEOs might consider that a concealed weapon. Be careful there. I keep mine in trunk of car. I really should label it as 'cheater bar.' Just in case I irritate some LEO.Originally posted by Sweet T View PostComment
-
Re: Mystery of Clunking Noise Solved
When you are loosing a wheel don't try to use steady pressure,you can snap a lug especially if you are using an extention on the lug.You should try to "bounce" on the handle ,remember a torque gun chatters a nut after spinning it tight.You have to remove the same way.When I was working we torqued a bolt to 350-550 lbs. with an impact gun.Sometimes we didn't have a gun or compressor so a pipe,wrench and someone standing on the pipe and bouncing on it would loosen the nut.sigpicComment
-
Re: Mystery of Clunking Noise Solved
I thought that tightening the lug nuts to tight as being the cause of the bolt failure. Next time I take her in for service I'll remind them to use extra care when putting the lug nuts back on.sigpicComment
-
Re: Mystery of Clunking Noise Solved
Two reasons "why" it may have happenned are readily apparent from this post (courtesy of Joe Vary, years ago).Originally posted by 007Cruiser View Post
1. Improper torque of the wheel nuts - 100 lbs (with a torque stick)
2. Failure to clean the mounting surface.
How far did the tech go on the original suspension work?
Would he have removed the wheel studs and mounting plate?
If so, there's a third cause listed in the re-placement of those parts (maybe a fourth).
http://www.thunderbirdnest.com/forums/showpost.php?p=90701&postcount=3
Redbirdsal
sigpicNative TexanIRISH THRU & THRU!Comment
Comment