body cracking noise
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
body cracking noise
any suggestions appreciated. When I back my 96 out of the garage and onto the street, when I back off of the curb line, I hear a cracking noise coming from the passenger side rear, sounds like the body cracking. Any ideas or fixes?
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 11,470
Likes: 764
i'm all ears here! i've got the exact same thing on my 96, in the same spot. new (to me) car, and at first i thought it was the "glass" top, but still have it with the top off. didn't have that type of noise on my 90. i hope my convertible X-brace will stiffen up the chassis enough to eliminate the cracking-popping noise. anyone else with the same issues?
Slingshot
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 3,817
Likes: 24
From: Charlotte NC
I had a similar problem on my 86 roadster last summer. Turns out it was a loose upper shock mount. Re-torqued the rear shocks & problem was solved.
As an additional possibility, you might want to check your half shaft u-joints or even the wheel hub bearing.
FWIW.
As an additional possibility, you might want to check your half shaft u-joints or even the wheel hub bearing.
FWIW.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 995
Likes: 1
From: Naples Campania
How bad is the noise? These cars have a known issue with body flex. Any time I back out of my drive way I get the sound of the body flex.
If you are backing out at an angle, and this is more than just body flex, I would check your half shaft axles. They might be at too much of an angle to the wheel and the joint is shifting. Not a HUGE deal, but they should be replaced if this is the problem.
Did you check for paint chipping around the area where the sound is coming from? Even check the street. If there is body rub in a place that you can't see, you might see paint chips on the road.
If you are backing out at an angle, and this is more than just body flex, I would check your half shaft axles. They might be at too much of an angle to the wheel and the joint is shifting. Not a HUGE deal, but they should be replaced if this is the problem.
Did you check for paint chipping around the area where the sound is coming from? Even check the street. If there is body rub in a place that you can't see, you might see paint chips on the road.
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
I do back out at an angle and it happens when my first rear wheel go over the curb line. I looked for paint chips there were none, could possilbly be the shock need re-torke. has something to do with body flex not sure what else to check other than shocks. I'm almost sure it's body flex, any fixes for it?
Last edited by dennyschutz; Aug 12, 2011 at 04:21 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 3,660
Likes: 22
Sounds like the bat-wing bushings as they get stressed from different loads on each side...
I'd get a can of wet-silicone spray and hose down the bushings....batwing, suspension, everyone that you can find. The silicone won;t harm the rubber or any seals or the spring.
I'd get a can of wet-silicone spray and hose down the bushings....batwing, suspension, everyone that you can find. The silicone won;t harm the rubber or any seals or the spring.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 11,470
Likes: 764
i'm all ears here! i've got the exact same thing on my 96, in the same spot. new (to me) car, and at first i thought it was the "glass" top, but still have it with the top off. didn't have that type of noise on my 90. i hope my convertible X-brace will stiffen up the chassis enough to eliminate the cracking-popping noise. anyone else with the same issues?
. i'm still somewhat baffled by this, but the only thing i can figure is it was installed in some sort of a bind, and the least little body flex caused this thing to pop, sending the noise up through the right side b-pillar. yesterday, i was determined to find out why i was having this noise. i jacked up the rear of the car, and removed the rear inner fender. i put another floor jack under the shock mount, and jacked up the suspension to full travel - no noise. i was looking for anything loose, worn, anything broken - nothing. when i installed the inner fender, i installed all mounting hardware loose, and finger tight, then proceeded to tighten the inner fender in a relaxed position - first, the three bolts to the frame, and then the torx screws securing it to the dogleg and bumper assembly. i've been in and out of the driveway several times - NO POPPING NOISE -
- it's the little things in life that make me happy!!! 
Last edited by Joe C; Sep 1, 2011 at 09:22 AM.
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