Front 'clunk': tie rods or strut mount?

[slipnfall]

Hi there, Lately I'v been noticing a single 'clunk' from my front end(pass. side). Usually only happens once or twice durring a drive: when I first start off and am turning, or, when I'm coming to a semi-hard stop. It's not extremely loud, it's barely heard w/the windows up. Sounds like metal on metal, but deadened. FYI this is a '92 S13, ~125k on stock suspension.

Anyways after reading around for a bit I think I'v narrowed it down to the tie rod end or the upper strut bearing assy. First, my passenger outer tie rod bushing looks shot: the boot is torn and the grease inside(still some there), is old and gritty. All the other bushings look OK; cracked and dryrotted a bit, but still holding up. Second, I just noticed last night there was an oil-like substance on the top of the passenger shock tower(in 'bay). Oddly it was all around the upper three nuts, but dry underneith. My shocks are old and worn(dust boots are pratically non-existant), but I don't think they're blown: no excessive bounce or anything. Is the upper bearing packed with grease, or an oily-fluid? FWIW I have bad wheel shimmy at 50-55mph, but this was immediately after I had the tires ballanced: they said all 4 had flat spots. Also how dangerous is it to drive w/worn out tie rod ends? Should the rubber completely fail, is there still a 'fail-safe' connection between tie rod and the nuckle?

Thx for reading,-Slip

[240marcuSX]

i would replace the tie rods ends, and t/c rod bushings, im pretty sure that one or the other will fix the problem.

[Exar-Kun]

I'd place my bet on the T/C rods...look at the bushings, i bet its completely dry and wobbly by now if its never been replaced.

-Chet

[slipnfall]

If the TC is the bar from the control arms to the transverse, then I think they are a little worn. Looking at the bushing end, the bushing 'holder' sits cocked to one side(with respect to the under-sides of the transverse). Not sure if this is normal when unladen or not.

Do you guys/gals reccomend upgrading to a poly. bushing for street use, since I need new ones anyways? Also would the aftermarket tie rods be usefull(or needed) for adjustment?(future eibach/AGX setup). I think I can arrange to use work's hydro. press.

Thanks for the response. Oh one more thing: I came across a post last week that described some quick test you can do to diagnose suspension problems. It involved rocking the front wheels, at different 'times'(ie around a clock). For instance loose a 12 and 6 was ball-joints, etc. That would be a good sticky item IMHO.

[240marcuSX]

i just replaced the entire t/c rod with a caster adjustable one, i figured why not lose the whole bushing while im in there. chet and i both have the Battle Version units, and theyre ok with me, but the spl ones look pretty nice too.



those are stock with some kind of replacement bushing ^

[slipnfall]

Yeah they look pretty spiffy... too bad they're $220+. Not bad if I thought they were necessary. Besides, I don't think the sportline drop is considered 'seriously lowered', and I don't do any regular drifting.

I guess the whiteline's will do.

Thx,-Slip

[slipnfall]

Well I see that SPL has a cheaper version, and they don't appear to be solid units. Anyways, I took a closer look tonight, and decided to snap some pix while I was at it. Might seem lame, but it'll save me the trouble of describing their condition...

http://home.pct.edu/~klijam64/...1.jpgh ... 4/...2.jpg

After reading about some of the downsides to poly bushings, I think I might just stick with the OEM rubber ones. Is it true that NISMO makes a some-what stiffer version for the S13?(TC bushing)

[slipnfall]

BTW that dark spot on the TC bushing is a finger smudge-otherwise they are bone dry

[BaconLuver]

After reading about some of the downsides to poly bushings, I think I might just stick with the OEM rubber ones. Is it true that NISMO makes a some-what stiffer version for the S13?(TC bushing)

http://www.thenissanpartsstore...d=146

[slipnfall]

Sweet, thanks for the link. What are the transverse bushings for listed under that category? They're only around $7, so they can't be much. The TC bushing is the only one that attaches to the transverse link IIRC.

[slipnfall]

Oh and to re-surface my last question: Are adjustable TC rods and/or tie rods suggested for a sport line/AGX combo? I'd rather find out now, before I buy new ones. However if there's no significant adjustment needed to these two items, then I won't bother.

Thx again,-Jamie