[Tigers] Front end noise

[Tom Witt]

The bushings are rubber and designed to flex as the arm moves through its motion. There is nothing about them intended to be a true rotating bushing. The problem is likely a combination of two things. The rubber bushings have hardened and don’t flex well. This puts the stress on the fulcrum pins beveled washer which can work loose. The end result is that the washer where it meets the fulcrum pin is rotating when enough force is applied. Hence the popping sound. This condition (where the washer rotates on the fulcrum pin)  work hardens it and has been attributed to fulcrum pin failure.

DO AT YOUR OWN RISK:
It is advisable to properly replace the bushings. They are likely VERY old.  If the rubber is still pliable you can attempt to see if the nuts on the fulcrum pin will tighten (but only do so with the car at normal ride height). As a means of simply testing you can apply oil to the washers and see it it temporarily stops (or diminishes) the popping. If so then it likely proved that this is the point of the problem. BUT, just because the popping may go away or decrease does not mean the problem is solved. It will only continue to work harden and leave you more susceptible to fulcrum pin failure.

From: Richard via Tigers 
Sent: Saturday, March 31, 2018 12:32 PM
To: Tiger List 
Subject: [Tigers] Front end noise

I have noticed that when I jack up the Tiger, there is a popping noise coming for the front end, I think that the control arm bushing are binding on the fulcrum pins. After lowering the car, pushing up and down on the front end causes the popping noise until they seem to settle back to the normal position.  No popping can be heard in normal driving.  Is this condition cause for great concern?  The car has about 42,000 miles and is driven about 400 miles a year.

According to the workshop manual removal requires some very special tools that won’t mess up the control arms. (I have no such tools)

What would be the best course of action, and or, does anyone know of someone in Phoenix, AZ area that would be able to help.

Thanks,

Richard



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