My '92 240 is getting kindy clunky...

  • Thread starter Thread starter Jeff Olsen
  • Start date Start date
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Jeff Olsen

Which is really too bad, because I both love it and didn't really want to
spend money on it right now <g>! But I want to keep it going... in six
years when my oldes starts to drive, it'll be perfect: a 20-year-old tank
with 200K miles!

It fees and sounds like it's in the front end. Going over any kind of sharp
bump there wil be a clank or clonk or even clunk (!) that seems to be sort
of in front of my left foot somewhere. I'm guessing I have soem sort of
worn out or broken strut or bushing. Is there something that just sort of
generally needs doing to the front end at 140K miles? Roughly how much
should I expect to spend?

-jeff
 
Jeff Olsen said:
Which is really too bad, because I both love it and didn't really
want to spend money on it right now <g>! But I want to keep it
going... in six years when my oldes starts to drive, it'll be
perfect: a 20-year-old tank with 200K miles!

It fees and sounds like it's in the front end. Going over any kind
of sharp bump there wil be a clank or clonk or even clunk (!) that
seems to be sort of in front of my left foot somewhere. I'm
guessing I have soem sort of worn out or broken strut or bushing.
Is there something that just sort of generally needs doing to the
front end at 140K miles? Roughly how much should I expect to spend?
Click to expand...

There are several possibilities. You might have to replace some
bushings (relatively inexpensive) which is common, they are just
rubber after all. Or you might need new struts (moderately expensive)
and/or new strut mounts. My guess would be bushings since those are
the least durable component. Of course, there could also be sometihg
broken, you could need new ball-ends, etc. There are a lot of moving
suspension components in the front end.
 
Tim said:
There are several possibilities. You might have to replace some
bushings (relatively inexpensive) which is common, they are just
rubber after all. Or you might need new struts (moderately expensive)
and/or new strut mounts. My guess would be bushings since those are
the least durable component. Of course, there could also be sometihg
broken, you could need new ball-ends, etc. There are a lot of moving
suspension components in the front end.
Click to expand...

Sounds like a ball joint is worth a check.
 
Jeff Olsen said:
Which is really too bad, because I both love it and didn't really want to
spend money on it right now <g>! But I want to keep it going... in six
years when my oldes starts to drive, it'll be perfect: a 20-year-old tank
with 200K miles!

It fees and sounds like it's in the front end. Going over any kind of sharp
bump there wil be a clank or clonk or even clunk (!) that seems to be sort
of in front of my left foot somewhere. I'm guessing I have soem sort of
worn out or broken strut or bushing. Is there something that just sort of
generally needs doing to the front end at 140K miles? Roughly how much
should I expect to spend?

-jeff
Click to expand...

First thing to check is the nut at the top of the strut tube that holds the
cartridge in, just reach through the spring and lift up the rubber boot,
crank the nut down a bit with a large pair of vice grips.
 
Which is really too bad, because I both love it and didn't really want to
spend money on it right now <g>! But I want to keep it going... in six
years when my oldes starts to drive, it'll be perfect: a 20-year-old tank
with 200K miles!

It fees and sounds like it's in the front end. Going over any kind of sharp
bump there wil be a clank or clonk or even clunk (!) that seems to be sort
of in front of my left foot somewhere. I'm guessing I have soem sort of
worn out or broken strut or bushing. Is there something that just sort of
generally needs doing to the front end at 140K miles? Roughly how much
should I expect to spend?

-jeff
Click to expand...
Tighten up the bushing (18mm wrench) and the bracket (3 screws, 14mm
wrench) at the rear of the lower control arm. While you're there tighten
the other side, and the lower mounting bolts to the sway bar drop links.

Bob
 
In addition to possibilities listed below are the cap nut located
midway up the strut assembly, and the subframe bolts. IPD published a
couple articles on all the clunks, knocks, grunts and groans common to
240s, along with the likely culprits. Might be available on the web
site.
 
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