TheLastPriest

Good morning all,

I want to preface this by saying I am well aware that due to the nature of being able to explain "noises" and "feelings", coupled with the fact that I am currently stuck behind a desk and unable to run down and work on the car i am more than anything looking for insight/idea's/theories to give me some places to look


Issue #1 - Front left wheel/suspension has a metal on metal clicking sound when going over jagged pavement/potholes/road reflectors, its loud enough that it sounds like rocks in a tin can if the road is bad enough, much more pronounced at lower speeds

Issue #2 - Twice now in two days when backing out of a parking spot with the wheels turned all the way to lock there has been a loud "bang" noise from the front right, loud enough to startle you and make you wonder if your wheel is still attached

After the first instance of the loud bang I put the car up on jack stands, pullled the wheels and inspected to the best of my ability the suspension and surrounding area's, nothing appeared to be disconnected/broken or even rubbed save for the front right fender liner, which after the first bang I noticed hand been yanked clean off (at that point I attributed the first bang to the front part of the fender liner breaking free, though with the second one occuring I feel as though it may be time to rule that possibility out)

Issue #3 - Today driving to work on twisty canyon roads about 40mph, I heard what sounded like a lug nut (must have has similar weight/metal density) get kicked up into the fender, bounce down, struck 2 or 3 more times before being left behind on the road. I pulled over, checked the lugs, checked for other apparent damage as best I could for it being 4:30am and pitch dark in the middle of a Canyon and found nothing out of place, I drove the rest of the way to work (albeit easy driving which takes massive self control in these beautiful twisties) Car didnt handle differently, no new noises nothing, the possibility exists that what got flung into my fender well was indeed a lugnut from the road.

Summery

1) Clicking noise on sharp bumps at low speed
2) LOUD clunk when backing up with wheels cranked
3) Possible chunk of metal falling from my car however no adverse reaction by said car


If anyone could toss out some idea's it would be greatly appreciated, my baby doesnt sound healthy, sounds in pain and its bothering me


Much appreciation ahead of time for any assistance you can provide
TLP

Harlan

iTrader: (3)

Sounds like your caster adjuster bolts are loose. The clunking you heard was probably that tire realigning, if you really did lose the nut off of one of them then stop driving immediately!

I had the same problem after aligning my 8. Those bolts need a lot of torque to keep from moving. Don't remember the spec offhand, but it's fairly high and should be higher.

TheLastPriest

Where would the caster adjuster bolts be located so I can check when I have time

*edit* And just because I am kind of in a pickle, I have to leave work and get to my sons school for a meeting why do you say stop driving immediately

Cliffjumper126

I think he means if you lost a lug nut off one of your wheels. Because you wheel could possibly come off. Just see if you did loose a lug, if not, you're good

TheLastPriest

Oh ok, no lugs are good, nice and tight

Harlan

iTrader: (3)

No, I meant a caster adjuster. There are bolts in the front with notched indexing washers. One adjusts castor(mostly) one adjusts camber (mostly) if the nut fell off then there is a possibility the bolt will come out. If that happens the front end will fold up like a kite and turn your car into an unsteerable mess. Need to get the car up on a jack and check the adjustments.

The bolts are located to the rear of and inboard of each front wheel. They connect to arms which connect to the wheel hubs. I can't find a picture, but they have indexing washers that look like off centered silver dollars with indexing marks on them. Oh and the camber adjust is right by the wheel hub and looks simmilar, don't remember if you can see if without lifting the car.

04Green

iTrader: (1)

after checking that, tell us if you have replaced the front sway bar... The bang could be an aftermarket bar sticking in the bushings...

TheLastPriest

Posted From RX8Club.com Android App

TheLastPriest

wow it deleted my whole post, sweet, try again, got the car in the air today found a great many things

1) the nut for the lower control arm was flat out gone, the connection itself is shrouded so it explains the real sharp/violent metal on metal I was hearing, replaced it (anyone know how right it should be, its on there good now but I didn't want to over tighten)

2) radiator shroud was missing the lower left bolt, that explains some rattles, replaced it

3) my lugs were rusted and stripped to high hell, took a rubber mallet to get the key in, replaced them

4) I really need to paint my rims, gold rims(highlighted in curb rash silver from the previous owner) on a black car with red/black interior is not the business

5) brake pad is rattling on the front left, not sure how to rectify that

so the most violent and scary noises have subsided, still more clicks than I would prefer but not sure where to start on that one

Posted From RX8Club.com Android App

Harlan

iTrader: (3)

If it was the adjustment bolt/nut then is the indexing washer still there? There is one on the bolt head as well, but it needs both to function, look at the one on the drivers side if unsure, they should be identical. Can't remember the torque spec, but the Miata guys have somewhat similar suspension and they use 150ft/lbs, I used a breaker bar and tightened it until my arm went click and that seemed to hold it in place.

I believe the brake pads have clips holding them in place, been a while since I've looked.

Glad you found the problem before it caused any serious damage!