Rear end or brakes problem?

NOT THE BLUE LAMPSHADE · 01-31-2006

I have a 1991 Eagle Talon TSi AWD 5spd. Only mods are a 3" turbo back and the car's running 16PSI. I checked out everything in the rear end and it looks fine to me, but I'm not a guru on brakes or alignment or anything. I actually just picked it up from Ross (MATCHBX) on Friday. Anyway, I noticed on Sunday that the rear left wheel is missing a lug nut, in fact, there isn't a stud to screw one on. I know I need a hub assembly back there now. When I hit the brakes, an awful clunking and scraping sound comes on and the car jerks in that direction and actually dips down on that side. I don't care how much it costs to fix it, but before I bring it in I'd just like to know what you guys think it might be. I know where I can get a new rear end and axels for cheap so I might just go ahead and replace it anyway since a clicking noise comes about ONLY when you go in reverse over 5mph. Any help would be greatly appreciated, thanks.

Tom

Jakey · 01-31-2006

MATCHBX's name is not Ross, it is Erik. Do you even know who you bought the car from?

A//// Guy · 01-31-2006

Eric- Matchbox- his old car was a 92 or 93 not a 91 so youve got a few things wrong already.

NOT THE BLUE LAMPSHADE · 01-31-2006

Shit, I'm sorry, I didn't buy it from MATCHBX, I got mixed up for some reason. I bought it from TheLBUGAWD, that's Ross. I don't know why I thought I bought it from MATCHBX.

MATCHBX · 01-31-2006

Yeah, Tom bought that car from Ross (TheLBUGAWD). Check the front brakes and make sure there isn't a bolt missing from the caliper. This happened to someone at one of the rallys and that's what it turned out to be. Whenever he hit the brake, the caliper would pivot up and hit the rim. It was a front one, but you could check the back ones also.

As far as the lugnut goes, go to Napa or Carquest and get a new stud and nut. Take the wheel off. Then take off the caliper (DON'T undo the brake hose or else you will have to bleed the brakes when you are done) and the rotor. Smack the broken stud thru the back of the hub and then put the new one in. Put a washer up against the hub and turn an old lugnut (one that you don't mind messing up a little, I just use one of my old "acorn-style" lugnuts for this) onto it until it sucks it all the way into the hub. It will take some effort to get it all the way in there.

If you have any questions, I could probably come over and give you a hand after I get my car ready for my buyer.

NOT THE BLUE LAMPSHADE · 01-31-2006

I was thinking it was the caliper hitting the wheel. It must flex a little if not secured properly. But would this also account for the scraping noise too? I think it does since the caliper would be moving on the rotor too.

MATCHBX · 01-31-2006

If it is hitting the rim, yes it w ill make a scrapping noise. Or it could even be a caliper that has hung up and worn the pads down to the point that the backing plate for the pad is scraping on the rotor. That would account for the dipping to one side when you hit the brakes as well. And it would probably be scraping a little even when the brakes are not applied.

NOT THE BLUE LAMPSHADE · 01-31-2006

Yes, there is a slight scraping sound sometimes when the brakes aren't applied. So am I going to need a new pad and rotor then if that was the problem? It doesn't matter what the cost is or anything, so I'm not worried about the damage that has already been done. I just hope the caliper needs to be secured again.

NOT THE BLUE LAMPSHADE · 01-31-2006

Well, there's a bolt missing on the caliper. One of the bottom bolts that holds it in place has just disappeared and now I need to get a new one and NAPA couldn't find shit because they're all dumbasses so I'm taking it to a dealership tomorrow to have it inspected and just have them replace the bolt and whatever is damaged.

MATCHBX · 02-01-2006

Napa probably won't have any listings for that kind of a part. I wouldn't call them "dumbasses" just because they can't find your special part. Most of the people that I have dealt with at various Napa's and Carquest's are actually quite knowedgable. They aren't just young kids that just punch numbers and stuff into a computer. These are the kind of guys that open a book before they look in the computer.

Good to know you found the problem.

NOT THE BLUE LAMPSHADE · 02-01-2006

Well, maybe they aren't all dumbasses. I'm not going to that store in St. Louis Park anymore; I've had trouble there before. Anyway, I should be getting everything taken care of today and be back on the road again!