Front end noise

[116gtv]

Over the last couple of weeks  the sprint has developed a clunk in the right front end. It's sounds like a  metal to metal clunk. Happens when I hit the brakes at low speed, then again when I accelerate, then again when I brake, and so on..

Sounds like something is shifting or has play in it. This started  shortly after I had the front pads and brake hoses changed, so thought that maybe its a lose brake pad shifting but it appears to come from towards the wheel/hub end (I have inboard brakes). Can't replicate the noise on the hoist by spinning the wheel and braking and releasing. But you can here it click on crawling speeds, then clunk at lower speeds.

Nothing obvious on inspection so my next thought was maybe drive shaft play but not sure how i can diagnose it..

Any pointers greatly appreciated!

[Ray Pignataro]

It is the hub bearing

[colcol]

Jack the car up off the ground, and grab the wheel and see if there is any freeplay in it, if there is, then its the bearing retainer has come loose, the early Suds had a metal bearing retainer, which retains the bearing and is strong and doesn't distort, the later Suds had a plastic bearing retainer that is rubbish made of plastic, it won't retain the bearing and distorts easily, also the nut could have come loose, which is caused by the hub not having enough press fit on the bearing, tighten the nut and it will be loose in 5 minutes if there is not enough press fit on the hub, if the nut is tight and the bearing retainer is ok, then the bearing could be worn out, to repair a Sud bearing assembly you need special tools, so it will be have to be fixed by an older style Alfa Specialist that knows Alfasuds, Colin.

[Ray Pignataro]

i have the special socket i also have about four hubs that i put new bearings in.

[colcol]

Hey Ray, how did you get the special socket?, the front wheel bearings in a Sud are a weakpoint, slightly better in a 33, the front hubs look similar to an Alfetta rear hubs, although never checked for interchangeability, but still got the problem of lack of press fit on hub to bearing causes nut to come loose, Colin.

[Ray Pignataro]

I believe i have one of about 4 sockets in australia it is a long story how i got it but i did get it as a gift. it certainly makes a difference to tightening the ten ithink sided nut

[colcol]

Come on Ray, i like long stories, If you don't have the special 10 sided socket, it is impossible to tighten or loosen the nut, and thats how and why Alfa Romeo designed it that way, much easier with 147's and 156's wheel bearings, bearing goes bad, replace whole assembly for around $200, no special tools required, Colin.

[Ray Pignataro]

In the old days when car dealers were not so honourable and the fines were not so high they used to wind speedos back .one such dealer was caught instead of having his dealer licence cancelled, he was given the option of taking on a new cardealership which he did. the dealership was alfa he bought all the tools put on apprentices blah blah blah. then alfa left australia. fast forward twenty years, the dealer retires has a clearing sale, i am the only one in town that has any involvement with alfas so i got a couple sets of momo mags for next to nothing, when i was picking them up from the workshop on the shelf the ten sided socket was there  when i asked what was that he said you may as well take that as well. and that Colin is thestory of the ten sided  alfa socket that has a genuine alfa part number on it

[116gtv]

Nice one, Ray.

Thanks for your help, all. The wheel doesn't show any play, Colin.

So its the hub bearing then.?

As an aside, I noticed that right front wheel has a fair bit of neg. camber, despite its original suspension (height)..

Ray, do you sell the hubs (exchange)?

[colcol]

Ray, that is remarkeable, gonna wrack brain thinking of who the dealer was, 116gtv, bounce front of car up and down and check for wheel bearing movement with the wheels on the ground, grab the wheel up and down and side to side, if no movement or clunk, look at the balljoint or see if the bolt or nut is tight on the driveshaft to hub, as this can hold the bearing together, and check the driveshaft bolts that hold the driveshaft to the gearbox

[Ray Pignataro]

Colin i will tell you the next time i see you, i will try and remember to bring the tool as well.116gtv pm me i have a whole lot of in board bits you may want and or need

[116gtv]

Ok, checked all driveshaft bolts, fine. The wheel feels tight, no play of any sort. Found that the bush on the lower suspension arm has some play/wear in it but it's not totally shot.  Can the hub bearing be making this sort of noise even though Theres no play ?

[Fetta GTV]

Hi Martin
You say it only started after you had the brakes done, have you checked all the caliper mounts and the retaining pins on the pads. Also the conections for the handbrake. Sound can travel to strange places and make it really hard to track down. If you apply the handbrake slightly while driving does the sound change?
Just seems odd to be bearings if all was OK before the brakes where done. Was anyhting else done at the same time.
Although every time I fix one thing on my Alfa something else shows up that needs sorting.

[colcol]

Usually a clunking noise is the front hub, if you cannot feel any play, when the weight is off the wheels, try checking for looseness in the front hub with the wheel loaded, also check your engine gearbox mounts, particulary the front one which gets soaked in oil, and can just sit there and look ok, but its actually split in 2, causing the engine to go clunk as it moves about under braking or acceleration, Colin.

[116gtv]

ha, Colin, that front engine mount is shot, i forgot to mention it. Looks like i need to change a few bushes before i go any further  , The wheel was checked but off and on the ground btw.

David, i have a hydraulic handbrake only now. The noise does sound like its coming from the wheel but I guess noise travels as you said. I really should change most of the suspension bushes.. checked brakes btw so..

thanks for the tips as usual!