Do I really need the parking brake?

Post by **theWIFES_S70** » 05 May 2016, 09:26

bugs11 wrote:Fixing my parking brake is on the list, after cv axles, fuel filter, transmission service (in process), ABS module to Matty, odometer, service serpentine belt tensioner, front seats, and peeling clear coat.

I feel you. I also need to get to the axle seals... I hate taking off the CV axles, such a pain without impact tools... There's also a new "clunk" that's developed when (sometimes) braking hard. Probably an impossible to remove bushing somewhere that needs to be replaced. The fun doesn't stop!

Post by **erikv11** » 05 May 2016, 09:28

I know you will troubleshoot but for starters: clunk when braking hard makes me think control arm bushing. If so, it will eventually clunk from a stop too. With each start and stop.

Post by **theWIFES_S70** » 05 May 2016, 09:51

erikv11 wrote:I know you will troubleshoot but for starters: clunk when braking hard makes me think control arm bushing. If so, it will eventually clunk from a stop too. With each start and stop.

Thanks erikv11, I have a new, or newish, front end in (last year: Meyle inner and outers, Febi control arms, Monroe Readymounts, and Karyln(!) sway ends) and I've got no play on the driver's side wheel at all. The passenger wheel plays a little, but nothing like the loosy goosey feel I had way back. I just chalked that one up to an 18-year old rack... I only sometimes get the "clunk" on "some" hard stops. I'll take off the wheels and check around to see if there's anything fishy there. If I have a failed control arm bushing, well, I'd be a little sad to say the least! And it would certainly say something about the Febi control arm...

bugs11 · Post by **bugs11** » 05 May 2016, 13:08

Had lunch with my kid who'll be back home from college for the summer in a week and will be driving the car. Her top priorities, a reliable sun roof and do something about the peeling clear coat on the hood. The sun roof switch is iffy, works sometimes and not so much other times. I told her she's going to first help me replace the axles, pull the ABS module, replace fuel filter, service the transmission, etc... then we'll worry about the sunroof and clearcoat.

Car has developed a vibration at highway speeds but only after 7-8 miles of travel. Slow down and it goes away for the most part. The front brakes also pulsate when stopping once everything is warmed up, the pads and rotors look good though. Tie rods and control arms look good too; the car tracks fine - no drift or pull to one side. I get a clunk when I let off the gas.

Post by **theWIFES_S70** » 05 May 2016, 16:00

bugs, kids and their priorities...

If you're replacing the axles, I would really pick up those corteco axle seals to replace the seals as preventative measure. I really wish I had. I don't know about you, but I hate pulling an axle if I don't have to. You've really got a great kid there, willing to help and all!

Post by **JimBee** » 05 May 2016, 17:34

I know you don't suspect a ball joint for the at speed vibration, but that's the part I have usually found to be the cause. Jack the front wheel off the ground, grab it and 12 and 6 o'clock and try to move it against the axel; likewise at 3 and 9. Something in there is loose.