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TR4/4A '62 TR4 rear end clunk

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T

TR4CB

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When i go over a bump i notice a hollow clunk noise from behind my drivers seat. It sounds as if the body area to the left and center of the trunk is hitting the frame or as if the spare tire is slamming down but the boot is empty. Nothing looks out of place underneath and I cant replecate the sound by leaning on the rear quarter. Can you guys tell me where to start looking. Thanks so much.
 
How old are the shocks? Bushings on shocks? Do your bumpstops still exist?
 
I think on your TR4, there are no bump stops other than the rubber buffers mounted on the differential itself. I'd go with any of the other opinions on those banging noises - but you may need to get under the car to see if you spot any potential noise sources.

Randy
 
I agree with the Mace man. Very likely just loose bolts on the shock. Happens all the time.

Check it out--don't over-tighten. Interestingly, my manual does not call for lock washers. Does yours?
 
Kentvillehound said:
I agree with the Mace man. Very likely just loose bolts on the shock. Happens all the time.

Check it out--don't over-tighten. Interestingly, my manual does not call for lock washers. Does yours?
Click to expand...

I think you and Andy called it. Regular maintenance on a TR4. I just repaired my 63 last night. The manual calls for a bolt with a plain washer and a nyloc nut. The problem is that there is not enough clearance between the shock body and bolt head to get a socket wrench on it; you end up wedging a screw driver to hold the bolt in place while tightening the nut. I replaced the bolts with a socket head bolts (fine thread) socket heads use an allen wrench. Because of the small head size of the socket head I trimmed down a flat washer to just fit the area of the shock body. On the back side I used a flat washer and a steel lock nut. Use the thickest washer you can find. We'll see how this works.

The other thing is the holes in the shock bracket oval out. Some years I clamped a piece of copper plate on the back side of the bracket and mig welded the hole a bit smaller. I then redrilled it and filed and ground things flat. The copper keeps the weld material from the back side.
 
Did you check to see if maybe Jimmy Hoffa's body might be in your trunk...you never know!
 
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