"CLUNK"

[ray greenwood]

This is late...thought I would drop it in. A bad ball joint can cause this clunk...and not be detectable with thestandard ball joint test in the shop manual. Also the steering shaft bushing underneath the steering wheel slipping up or down can cause this. The sme problem/sound as a ball joint also happened in earlier link pin suspensions. Too much axial play in the front torsion arms...or bad needle bearings on them can cause this also. Ray

[Robi]

Ray, Please tell me more about the steering shaft bushing underneath the steering wheel slipping up and down. This sounds like what it could be. I'm sure this is where the sound is originating from but I can't find any information of this part or how to repair or replace it. Is there anywhere I can find repair instructions? Would the parts still be available? Where?
I sandblasted the wheels and am in the process of painting them Rustoleum gloss black. That sounded like a good inexpensive way to go that should hold up. I also have on order some 185 R14 load rated D from Kuhmo (sp?) for about $260/4. That should take care of the floating/wandering of the front end. So info on how to deal with this steering shaft bushing should finally take care of the last of the problems.

[ray greenwood]

Hi Robi...a good test for this...and I'm not 100% sure of you column configuration...or which type of bushing you have...the test. If it diapears when the steering wheel lock is set...the bushing is suspect. Put the key in, unlock the wheel, grab it 6 and 12 o'clock.Don't turn it , Rock toward and away from you to get the shaft to move side to side in its bore. The bushing...if you have one...should be seen when you remove the steering wheel. Around the shaft..in the center of the hole where theshaft passes through the blinker lever assembly...but above the locking cam for the steering wheel lock, should be a c-clip around the shaft.The bushing will be underneath. If the c-clip is gone (common)..the bushing rides up the shaft and allows bumping dfrom side to side when you turn. I'll check my book over lunch to see if all ofthese parts are on your vehicle. Ray