Hi all,

Okay, this problem is levels above my ability. I parked the Barracuda last summer, due this noise, and haven't had time to get back to it. At low speeds, it sounds like wooshing or rubbing against the transmission tunnel. At higher speeds, it sounds like ratcheting, (Originally, I thought the sound was the overrun clutch). It only happens when I make left turns.

I know, I know, did I check for anything rubbing with the tires and front end? Yes! I cannot see any rubbing, and I used a trick ( pizza pans with marbles) to put the full weight of the suspension on the front, and check whether there was any possible contact, rubbing, or interference through out the travel of steering and suspension. So, I am back to some sort of weird loading of the pot joint that happens only on left turns. But, how can I figure this one out? I will record the sound, if that helps.

I also changed the transmission fluid and filter. Standard 1965 A904, no metal in the pan, and it shifts normally.

So, what is left? If not the pot joint, what could it be? If it is the pot joint, how can I tell?

Thanks,

Greg

Tired engine and/or transmission mounts together with an exhaust pipe too close to the floorpan. Make a left turn, "centrifugal" force causes the engine to lean further over to the right, lifting the exhaust pipe (or, for that matter, trans cooler pipe fitting) into contact with the floor, you hear strange wooshing or ratcheting noises.

It is not the front universal joint, which has no way of knowing if you're going left, right, straight ahead or off a cliff.

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

No left turn unstoned.

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Yeah....Im the one who destroyed this rare, vintage automobile.....

Erh, thanks Sandy

Dan, once again, thanks! This is a possibility that I hadn't thought of. I will have to check with Imperial Services about the poly motor mounts. I can confirm that my motor mounts are pretty old and cracked, so this is a plausible theory.

Thanks,

Greg

I had a '65 that did this not so much due to old mounts as due to an improperly bent/placed exhaust pipe. Hit the crossmember on left turns and hard acceleration.

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

Definately check the transmission mount, too.

I had a situation (it was on a v8 car) where the rear transmission mount and motor mounts were extremely worn out; it manifested itself as strange clunking and rubbing noises in turns.

I finally got the car up on ramps, and looked. Yeah, the adjustment bolts on the K frame were all the way over, and the exhaust pipe looked like it had touched the steering linkage. I loosened up the motor mount bolts, pried the motor to the other side, and tightened the motor mounts back up. The test drive proved it-- No more noise!

So, Dan was correct! Thanks!

I still need new motor mounts. These rubber ones are just falling apart. Hopefully, I can keep using them until Imperial gets their poly models done.

Thanks,

Greg