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New Member and Steering Noise Question

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Ted_Merendino said:
bugimike,

Thanks for the info. I'm going to remove the wheels and look closer after work today. This job is really cutting into my bugeye time! The hood was modified to hinge at the front. Perhaps that accounts for the odd placement of the wheel within the wheel arch?

jlaird,

What makes you think it's running rich?

P.S. Her name is Penny.
Click to expand...

I would think not! The rear of the wheel arch lines up well with the rocker panel and you have a nice, even gap between hood (bonnet to all the Anglophiles here, hehe!) and firewall. BTW, My hood is modified to open the same way! /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/thumbsup.gif

Hey, any and all out there, could the left and right "A" frames be reversed on the car or are they symetrical? I have never even considered something like that before! Check the pictures though, the wheels definitly look "set back" in the wheel arches!! /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/confused.gif
 
Welcome Ted, it seems that you have made a few friends already.

It doesn't sound like the tires - they are not large enough
the caliper being loose - the brakes would squeel

me money is on the bonnet hinges and the weight shift when going around a turn is causing some shroud or frame rubing, or causing a wheel to rub by being mis-positioned.

Oooppps welcome Penny, and Jack you killed me with it running rich.

Pat
 
Sooo... how does the bonnet latch?

The A-arms are symmetrical AFAIK.

Pat, I'm still not taking my bet off of a loose caliper. I had a loose one do something similar, but it did not squeal.
 
I take it that the noise is coming from the front? If so, there could be many things that are loose or worn. I agree with the jack it up and have someone turn the wheel while you spin and listen. Welcome to the club. I'm getting ready to put a windshield on mine. Should be able to hear all kinds of noises coming from the front after that!! The rear noise that I had was backing plates were rubbing. A little persuasion and all is well except when I turn right. I believe that the driver's side needs a little more persuasion to not make any noise. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif
 
A floor jack under the front cross member with a piece of wood to distribute the weight would be the best way to jack Penny for inspection. Place jack stands under the usual jack points on the side. Also inspect the tires well and check the lug nuts.

Trevor, lets see, I am curious. It could be either, but mine squeeled. Maybe we are both wrong and it is something so simple, I hope. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/wink.gif But then again I doubt it is anything that complex.

Wish I could jack Penny up quick and take a look.

Pat
 
Nice, makes sense to me.
 
Update:

I jacked Penny up by the front subframe until both front tires were off the ground. I spun each tire by hand while a buddy turned the steering wheel. No noise until full lock on both sides... inside of the tire rubbing on the inside fender well. I let her down and took her for a quick spin.

Immediate noise throughout steering wheel travel while making right turns. Little or no noise while turning left. Noise when the front springs are compressed while going over bumps in a strait line.

The sound is more like a tinny buzzing noise. It is the same volume and pitch no matter what the speed but only occurs with load on the front suspension and while the wheels are spinning. This leads me to believe it's not the tires rubbing, as I would assume they would make little or no noise at very low speeds and more noise with speed. The buzzing (at the same pitch and volume) presents itself even while pushing Penny back into her spot!

I'll have to wait for light tomorrow to continue. Thanks again for all the responses. I think I'll find a good home here.
 
One quick check might be to make sure every bolt is tight. Mine had a peculiar grinding noise that everyone thought was brakes - till we discovered the wheels were loose ( we were just pushing it - not driving it) I tend to interpret a buzz sound as vibration rather than rubbing.
 
Update:

I think I figured it out. The brake disc backing plate is rubbing. I used a flat blade scredriver to push the caliper piston back so I could spin the hub, then used the same blade to bend the backing plate away from the disc. I put the wheel back on and the noise is almost gone. It sounds like it's still rubbing a little bit so I'll continue to fuss with the backing plate 'till the noise is gone.

Thanks for all the help.
 
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