front end problems (86 TC)

i am working on a friends 86 towncar and have ran into an odd front end problem. the driver side tire makes a loud thunking noise when you hit the brakes. it acts as if it is popping in and popping out of position with the press and release of the brake pedal. observation shows that the entire front wheel hub assembly continues to rotate forward after the brakes are applied for about 2 inches and then pops. then it pops back the other direction after the brakes are released. i have replaced the swaybar endlinks and have ruled out a bearing problem and also highly doubt a steering linkage problem. im guessing "a frame" bushings or ball joints from the symptoms but both seem to be in working condition. any suggestions? most likely causes?

thanks

brian

blown ball joints wont cause that much movement ( 2" ), sounds like A-Arm bushings are completely gone.

thanks towncar for the good advice. do you know if there are any special tools that need to be used or and special method to installing new "a frame" bushings?

thanks again for the good advice!!

...do you know if there are any special tools that need to be used or and special method to installing new "a frame" bushings?...

I can't say for the 1986 :( sorry. I can give you the 1996 process but that won't be much good here.

I can't imagine the job being any different than any other mega Ford car of that era.

Chilton or Haynes would be sufficient for this job.

the problem ended up being that the alignment bolts at the top of the a-frame were loose.

thanks for all the help

the problem ended up being that the alignment bolts at the top of the a-frame were loose.


Wow, even though we all realize that would definately cause the problem you originally describe, loose alignment bolts would be the furthest suspect in my mind :uhoh:

Sounds like the previous alignment mechanic either didn't properly torque the bolts, or had the shims not fully seated and they slipped out under stress.

Your friends 86 is riding pretty nice now I'll bet :)

I have a somewhat similar problem with my 88 town car. Except on mine it seems to only happen when i'm braking and turning to the left or right as i'm coming to an intersection. I also only notice it at low speeds. It's not very loud but I can feel it in the wheel and brake pedal. I was thinking tie-rod's are worn? The suspension in this car isn't in the best shape. I've just replace all 4 shocks to also find that the car still leans heavily to the right. The person that had it did not take care of it. I was told the springs are weak from lack of shocks for such a long period of time. Is that true?

I have a somewhat similar problem with my 88 town car


Springs will weaken and sag over the years, completely blown shocks will cause the springs to work more, I don't think I would completely blame the shocks, like I said.. springs get old.

Re: The severe leaning, sounds like one spring is damaged.

Re: The low speed, braking/turning noise. Tie rod ends won't cause that problem they merely connect the steering wheel to the wheels. They may be worn and loose but the noise is either Ball Joints, Bushings or both.

Several other problems can cause braking/turning noises but in this topic we're referring to "clunking" noise.