Re: Mysterious 4kS noises & problems

[wong@tfn.com (Phil Wong)]

     David,
     
     Can't help with the noise problem, however, try spraying 
     "white grease" directly on the door handle mechanism on an 
     annual basis (it goes without saying that you need to remove 
     the door handles first, a very simple task).  This treatment 
     has saved my door handles for almost ten years!
     
     PHIL.


______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________
Subject: Mysterious 4kS noises & problems
Author:  david.becker@lw.com at Internet
Date:    2/21/97 1:51 PM


     I own an '87 4kS with 80,000 hard fought city miles, and it recently 
     started making some odd noises.  First off, under hard deceleration, i 
     often hear a loud metallic clank coming from the front passenger's 
     side.  Weird thing is, I don't have to come to a full stop for it to 
     occur, and it doesn't always happen, even under emergency braking.  
     What IS that?  Failing CV joint?  Suspension hitting the end of its 
     travel?  (I've never replaced any suspension components.)  Brake 
     problems??  I doubt it; the noise seems to come from somewhere other 
     than the wheel; I can feel it throught the floor.  I had a mechanic 
     replace my front brake discs recently, & he told me the CV joints were 
     OK, but I'm not so sure.
     
     Second, I hear (and feel through the brake pedal) a repeated faint 
     metallic clink under low speed braking; speed varies with the speed of 
     the car.  Warped rotor?  It never happened before I had my discs 
     replaced; guess I should harass the mechanic about it.  
     
     Finally, I had to replace a failed timing belt recently--I foolishly 
     assumed that my (very expensive) 60k mile service included a 
     replacement; guess I was wrong.  Since the replacement, there has been 
     a slight but noticeable lag in acceleration from a stop, at least til 
     the engine warms up.  Is my engine damaged?  How do i tell?  
     everything else seems to be OK.
     
     As a closing rant, let me voice my intense annoyance with the door 
     handles.  I have replaced every single one, and I'm starting on a 
     second round--and I've only owned the car since 47k miles.  Any 
     lubricants or similar products that will make the damned things last 
     longer?!
     
     All suggestions welcome--
     db