Clanking sound? 79 Spider

[barnesjtsl]

I have a 79 Spider that sat for about 10 years outside in the rain (Portland OR). After I purchased it I got it running and am now driving it.

I keep getting a "Clanking sound" from under the front half of the car. It doesn't seem to happen at any particular time. Somtimes it happens when I take off from a stop, sometimes not. Somtimes just driving down the road I will get few of these sound in succession for no apparent reason (smooth road, no bumps). I will go over a rough road and hear no sound and other times I will hear it. There seems to be no rhyme or reason. It doesn't happen much at all in the morning when the outside temperature is in the 60s/70s, but after work when it is warmer 80's/90's it happens a lot more often.

The best I can describe the sound as is as if a piece of 1/4" sheet metal had a long crack in it and the crack flexes accross each edge. I'm sure you guys will know the sound I mean.

Any thoughts (i.e., cross member, motor mounts etc.)? I have looked and looked and can't see anything obvious.

Thanks,

John B

[So Cal Mark]

geez, there is a laundry list of sources for front end noise; loose or worn shocks and mounts, cracked crossmember or unibody, worn bushings or ball joints, loose calipers or steering links, broken steering dampner mount

[pope]

That clanking could be your lead foot hitting the gas pedal?

check that the shocks still have a good portion of rubber damper left on the end and the shock it not hitting the shock column

[MNspiderman]

I am going to guess its your driveshaft hanger bearing housing, the rubber rotted off of it and it wobbles whenever its out of sync.

[mbouse]

oohhh. . . good one MNspiderman! while you check out his suggestion, John, also look at the center support bearing bracket...the bracket that holds the bearing to the underbody.

my guesses are as follows:
1. bracket that should support the exhaust down pipe to the transmission has lost a fastener.
2. upper shock mount is actually loose on the upper fender mount.
3. inner shroud for the timing belt is loose.
4. exhaust heat shield surrounding the catalytic converter is loose on the converter.
5. other exhaust heat shield(s) loose.
6. one or more wheel lug bolts is loose.

my personal favorite in this selection is #4

by the way, what do we win for the correct guess?

[barnesjtsl]

It was dry ball joints. Got it in time, after greasing they have no play and no sound.

Thanks everyone,

jb

[mbouse]

great! glad to hear that the situation has been identified with a source.. mark wins lunch!!

[So Cal Mark]

lunch? yummm

[manoa matt]

If the ball joint is making that much noise then there is play in the joint, grease will only temporarly take up the play. Worn ball joints are dangerous, especially the lower ones. When they fail its catastrophic, you and the car will be lucky to survive. If the car was sitting for 10 years, the rubber boots on the ball joints are toast, dirt and particles will enter in through the cracked boot and lead to accererated wear on the joint. Replace them, they are one of the most important items on the car, and they are not expensive even if you want good ones (Moog).

[manoa matt]

Considering its a 79 making a clanking sound? My initial guess would be the boat anchor.....I mean ADHA carb

[mbouse]

matt, i owned one of those boat anchors for about 10 years. did not go fast enough to make a clanking sound...

the best it could do was to utter muffled wheezes...