BrickBoard Archives
The files contained in this listing have been automatically archived from the active forums. Because the vast majority of posts are now in one place, this archive is considered legacy. You should use the SEARCH feature OR choose your topic and select date tabs within the forum you choose.
Noise & Strut Bearings???[ALL/1998] posted by Jim Ells on
Monday, 22 December 1997, at 11:05 a.m.
Will one of you knowledgable wizards please repeat the information regarding a noise emminating from my front end as the result of (possibly) bad strut bearings or improper spacing/spacers? Before replacement of the struts by my local Les Schwab Dealer (oh boy!), there was no noise. Now-and this didn't start right away-there's a noticable clunk on either side when the strut takes a hit.
More noticable when turning over an irregularity in the pavement such as entering a parking lot or encountering a speed bump at an angle. Probably, the bearings have never been replaced and I should just do it now. I do recall seeing a thread explaining removal of the seal and repacking the bearing. However, a worn out bearing w/new grease is still a worn out bearing.
Perhaps it's bushings. Checked and didn't find hard, broken, or missing, so don't know about this possibility.
Also, sorry about bringing this up again but couldn't find the info in archive??? Actually, couldn't even find the archives. Are they gone forever or is it just a Glasswegian DNA thing?
Thanking you in advance and, great holidays to you all.
Re: Noise & Strut Bearings???[ALL/1998] posted by Paul on
Monday, 22 December 1997, at 12:56 p.m.
I have exactly the same problem. I just had new KYB struts put in by Bucky's. (oh boy!) Now the car makes a quite noticable clunk when front wheel(s) traverse a rut or pot hole. Sounds like shock bottoming crash.
I did the IPD test for strut bearings and it passed with flying colors. (See the old catalog - lift front of car, turn wheel lock to lock....it should be completely smooth, no ticks, notchey spots or noises)
So, the only thing I've read is about some spacers that may have been left out - I think this only applies to GT's or turbos.....don't know about my 1981 262C. I need to dig up an old issue of Rolling, Steve Seekins addressed this earlier in 1997.
I have not eliminated my bushings. I can not see the whole "big front frame" bushing. I assume mine are original....so at 171K....could be my bushings.
Let's kill this one for both of our cars!!!
BTW Les Schwab.....where in the NW/North Ca. do you live?
Paul Seminara
1981 262C 171K
Re: Noise & Strut Bearings???[ALL/1998] posted by Jim Ells on
Monday, 22 December 1997, at 1:32 p.m.
Hi Paul-I also did the usual visual and mechanical leverage testing; Joints, bushings, etc., and all appeared well. This type of thing is not a brain buster-having built dozens of race cars from the ground up-over the last thirty years or so. So, while I'm at a loss as to the actual immediate problem, it can't be all that difficult to solve. There's always the torch!
Because of time constraits, I'm going to have Les Schwab or someone else lift the car and carefully start removing the assemblies, checking for slop and excessive tolarances that are either suspicious or would in any way, allow for contact noise. How any professional repair person would not visually recognize what might be a problem concerning clearences and throw is beyond me. How many times have you looked at an assembly and said... "that just dosen't look right... What if...?" And then went ahead and figured out the right way, having forseen the obvious, or even not so obvious, potential problem?
The car is a '79 Bertone w/350 Olds/Cad 4 speed etc. The 2.7 & tranny that came out weighed about the same so I just don't see any weight distribution problems. Other than this bitch noise, the car is a dream to drive. I'll get it straightened out and share any infomoration with you as it occurs.
Presently, I'm living in Bremerton, Washington. I've a manufactuing business here, so here's where WE BE STUCK. Originally from South Central LA. 'Wanna buy some water? I'll even throw in the mud for free. There's a bunch left over from the slides. You'll have to sift throught it for bodies though.
Best Regards-Jim
Re: Noise & Strut Bearings???[ALL/1998] posted by Jim Ells on
Monday, 22 December 1997, at 6:45 p.m.
Paul-Just so's ya know, "info_moration" is a Glasswegian deravitive of the common English word, "information." You'll want to use this bastard-I-zation when ever your executive assitant walks in and catches you fooling around with either old cars or wooden boats on company time-whether or not you own the company! You do believe me...right?
Re: Noise & Strut Bearings???[ALL/1998] posted by matt on
Monday, 22 December 1997, at 9:36 p.m.
Jim--I had the very same problem with my '81 242 after Les and the boys did a strut job on it. seems that the washers on the top end of the strut can move around during installation and make it seem as if it is tightened down properly. I took it back in, they basically disassembled and re-installed the struts. The same thing has happened on my wife's 740 wagon--need to take it back in for a re-do. Gotta hand it to the Schwab guys tho--always service with a smile.
Re: Noise & Strut Bearings???/Update/2[ALL/1998] posted by Jim Ells on
Monday, 29 December 1997, at 2:45 p.m.
Hi Matt - Good holiday to you & family. I just posted a rather long winded response to Paul Seminara regarding this troublesome strut thing. You may want to check it out. The boys at Les Schawab repaired half of the problem last Wed but didn't have the parts for the right side. Oh Boy' Seems they knew all about the problem. Go figure. I'll continue the story when everything get's nailed back together and bomb tested.
Planning a trip south early this spring. Let me know where you are and I'll add a couple of hours to the first leg for a visit.
Jim Ells/Silverdale, WA
'79 262C, no longer pure and virginal.
Re: Noise & Strut Bearings???/Update/2[ALL/1998] posted by matt on
Tuesday, 30 December 1997, at 12:30 a.m.
Jim--Look forward to seeing you! Give me a holler on my cell--daytimes--(503)209-0648. Being an outside sales type, I have pretty flexible use of my time..Glad Les and his minions are taking care of you ( a little at a time) Hey! I scored a performance cam out of ipd's back room for $40 today! I'll put it in this weekend and see if my slug will gather momentum at a greater rate. See ya when ya get here.
Matt
Re: Noise & Strut Bearings???[ALL/1998] posted by Steve Seekins on
Tuesday, 23 December 1997, at 9:31 a.m.
(Note to Jarrod - great improvement to be able to go directly to the post that I am interested in!!)
To summarize - the older 240s had a strut that was longer internally than the later ones. The turbos were fitted with a gas loaded cartridge that was longer than the standard ones. The standard cartridges required a spacer in the bottom of the strut under the cartridge. All of the aftermarket replacement cartridges were of the shorter design as are the recent Volvo replacement parts. Also, later struts were shorter inside having a welded lip and would not acccept the old style longer cartridge.
I don't know whether the 262Cs were originally equipped with the higher performance gas loaded long cartridge, but if so, then the spacers would have to be added when replacing the cartridges. One thing to check is whether the cartridge retainer nut is screwed in all the way, or whether there are threads showing. If it is screwed in all the way, then you can be sure that there is a missing spacer and that the cartridge is loose inside the strut. You should also check your sway bar bushings and end link grommets as well as the lower end of the end links. I have not seen the IPD poly bushings get loose, but the OEM bushings do and need to be replaced - makes nice clunking sound.
Often the large bushings at the rear of the lower control arms appear to be OK, even when pried with a bar, but when dissassembled are found to be badly deteriorated. Remember, the right and left ones are different! The left one is much harder rubber than the right one (or I might have it backwards - be sure to have your parts person label them with marker). If you have the old style with the holes in the rubber, replace then with the later solid style.
Another place to look for ticks, clicks, and clunks is the tie rods, especiallly the inner end - the ball type joint inside the steering boots. If you have run for extended periods with damaged boots, it is highly likely that these joints are worn and damaged. These are replaceable as a unit with the tie rod, OR, if your rack is leaking,, most rebuilt racks come with boots and tie rods as a unit. At the price of the tie rods and the boots, it is more reasonable to replace the whole rack.
Volvo Club of America
Re: Noise & Strut Bearings???[ALL/1998] posted by Jim Ells on
Tuesday, 23 December 1997, at 2:13 p.m.
Steve - Thanks again for the help! Merry Christmas/Happy New Year!
Re: Noise & Strut Bearings???/Update[ALL/1998] posted by Jim Ells on
Monday, 29 December 1997, at 2:32 p.m.
Paul - Update re:struts and stuff-Chris at Les Shawab's in Bremerton conceded to not seating the struts into either a detent or notched washer/spacer at the top of the steel cup/pad. (I don't know about this for sure, never having gotten my nose into it). Anyway, the strut loosened up and tore out the metal and subsequently caused some damage to the tube/housing. Now, it all needs to be replaced. Yeah, right. Thanks guys! The port side (left) was O.K. and was corrected on Wednesday. The right side parts have not been located as yet. Appointment for today postponed till parts are secured.
What a difference (at least on the one side) in ride and handling-as would be expected! Solid feel and only half as much noise. Can't believe these guys didn't have a handle on this originally. His response when first contacted was, "oh yeah, we know all about this type of thing"-I refrained from the natural sarcastic comment-"well, if your so smart, why didn't you do it right the first time? Also, they lost the nut cover that goes on top. Is this a junkyard part? Probably. I'll check.
Apparently, your located in the Seattle area. Right? I'd give you a call if I had your number. How about your E-mail address? I'd be up for a trip across the pond to visit and compare notes, if your interested.
Received a post from MotoMatt in Vancouver. He also has had this same experience with both of his Bricks. As yet, don't know where he's at with the problem(s).
Regarding your bushings-I'd make sure the struts are seated/located first before going any further. It's so obvious. Best get the big bang out of the picture before assuming anything.
I still have to replace the front X member with a "Whole one" - the gyro gearloose that did the original conversion sectioned it w/a torch for no apparent reason. JERK! the Olds fits in snug but doesn't visually appear any larger than the V6 as far as room around the compartment is concerned.
Also, do you have any information regarding rear end ratios? What can I get to get taller high end ratio? I've received extensive but somewhat ambiguous information about this. Reportedly, everything from 'GM centers of same or near years will fit; to DANA center sections w/ratios starting at 2:78 on up. Book says 3:31 is the lowest that Volvo offered. What is this animal out of? Tag missing on case but suspect I've a 3:71, as it's pretty well wound up at cruise. Warp speed at take-off is fairly high RPM's. Impressive but noisy. Really need to get this thing slowed down a little. Anything would help. I'll bet Steve Seekins or Abe Crombie has dependable knowledge. These guys are a blessing, as are most all of you. I sound like a green pea but just don't have any hands on experience w/Bricks and their gearing.
Do you know Hans in Hansville? He's got almost 300K on his 262 and it still runs like a streak. Don't know what to say about this. I saw him and the car this summer in Silverdale; the one and only time I ever got close to a stock, good running Bertone. Bill Wagner on Whidbey Island also has a clean, good running 262 that's for sale. There's another one for sale in Tacoma that's reported to be squeaky clean and running good.
Will let you know when this is all cleared up and, thanks for any input you may have.
Cheers-Jim/Silverdale, WA
Re: Noise & Strut Bearings???/Update[ALL/1998] posted by Paul S. on
Tuesday, 30 December 1997, at 2:23 p.m.
Jim -
Did you get my private email? My email address is paubreys@accessone.com.
I live in Lynnwood.....just a breeze across the sound from Silverdale. Take the ferry, it's really close!
As I said, my rear ratio is 3.54, the manual tranny 262's had 3.73.
Stop by!!!
Paul Seminara VCOA Member # 9417
1996 855O 18K miles "THE BLUE GOOSE" Still a dream car.......
1981 262C Bertone 171K "THE BLUE BLENNY" V6 that runs........