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clunking over bumps? 850

posted by someone claiming to be ken on Tue Oct 26 09:12 CST 2004 [RELATED]

I drove a 93 850 yesterday... when going over bumps, there's a noticable clunk clunk coming from the front & rear suspension area. I couldn't pinpoint the noise, and the suspension doesn't feel at all loose.

I tested it by doing tight circles w/ the wheel fully turned one direction & then the other - no problems there... only this clunking/rattle over rough roads.

The steering feels a bit loose, but tollerable - any thoughts? This is pretty much my only hangup before buying the car.

The salesman told me that it could be the rubber(?) bushings around the tie-rods, but I don't know...

any help would be greatly appreciated.
93 850 - 141K

- ken

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clunking over bumps? 850

posted by KlausC on Wed Oct 27 09:41 CST 2004
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last visit: Fri Oct 24 10:15 CST 2014

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KBB.COM lists less than 3K for this car in "fair" condition. You will not get your money's worth.

Klaus
--
98 V70Rawd(101Kmi), 95 854T(85K mi), 88 245(165K mi)

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clunking over bumps? 850

posted by SUNSCIRCUS on Wed Oct 27 00:19 CST 2004
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last visit: Fri Jan 29 03:20 CST 2010

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According to your symptoms: it could be also the sway bar links and / or ball joints. Very common on the 850 of that milleage. At least the ball joints
are cheap on the '93, because you dont have to replace the whole control arm ass'y. I DONT beleive at all that it could be the rubber bushings around the tie-rods ---> salesman bullshit!
However, I'm agree with Tanker, take it to a good mechanic and have him check the whole suspension out
--
Ken

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clunking over bumps? 850

posted by someone claiming to be ken on Tue Oct 26 10:43 CST 2004 [RELATED]

thanks for the advice guys.

the car was donated to a charity that is in the business of fixing up & selling donated vehicles. In this case, it was a car whose timing belt appears to have broken... they did a good amount of engine work and is now reselling the car.

some sticking points.
1. Noise from the struts - if it's only $250, why not fix it.
2. car is listed as a 94 w/ 130K... it's a 93 w/ 141K

i don't know if i should just walk away or try to work w/ him... basically we're talking $4100 out the door (tax, etc) might be too high considering.

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clunking over bumps? 850

posted by 850 owner on Thu Oct 28 19:59 CST 2004
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last visit: Sun Sep 2 21:30 CST 2012

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I would steer reeeeal clear of the car. It was probably donated when the owner blew the timing belt and damaged the engine. Then who knows where the repairs were done. Are you buying from a dealer, or a charity organization? Because usually when a car is donated it goes to good cause, not just business profit. Most places around here (Southern CA) will auction off donated cars for cheap, so everyone involved gets a fair deal. At $4,100 you're nowhere near a bargain either. Please think it over before handing over that much cash. '93 is not a desirable year for 850 either, as some parts will be harder to find and probably more expensive (50,000 mile timing belt on 1993, different 70k mile belt on 94 and up for example). Good luck, and please look around before buying the car in question.
--
'94 854 N/A.

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clunking over bumps? 850

posted by someone claiming to be Homer on Tue Oct 26 22:15 CST 2004 [RELATED]

Struts, mounts and cushions + labor -is pushing $1k! think hard about that car. (ps. the indy mechanics usually blow the job first try by not replacing the cusions)

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clunking over bumps? 850

posted by KlausC on Tue Oct 26 10:27 CST 2004
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last visit: Fri Oct 24 10:15 CST 2014

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The 850 probably has original shocks and springs. At 140K, they will need to be replaced. The motor mounts are probably a bit loose also. Remember, 1993 was the first year, and they had a few bugs to get out.
Never believe a salesman! Tie rod bushings don't make noise over bumps. I hope there is service history with that car, otherwise don't bother. Did you look up kbb.com for trade-in price and person to person price? Did you look on ebay for private party sellers of 850's to see what they are getting?
Shop around... you might be surprised.

Klaus
--
98 V70Rawd(101Kmi), 95 854T(85K mi), 88 245(165K mi)

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clunking over bumps? 850

posted by tanker on Tue Oct 26 09:22 CST 2004
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last visit: Sun Oct 19 10:26 CST 2014

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If you're serious about the car, take it to a mechanic and have him check the suspension. The clunking in the front could be caused by broken spring seats, strut mounts, ball joints, bushings, etc. The back could be shock mounts or the shocks themselves.

Unless you know what you're looking for, pay a mechanic (and not the seller's mechanic) to inspect it for you.

Good Luck!

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