Classic/Antique Car Repair/67 Ford Galaxy

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Expert: - 3/31/2011


Question
Hello, I have a 1967 Ford Galaxy. When I proceed to make a sharp turn, I hear a loud bang like someone's hitting it with a hammer. Not on a soft turn but only when making a sharp or a u-turn. Could you give me ant advise?

Answer
The most common cause of this is what are called the steering stops on the front spindles. These are the projections cast into the steering arms that limit the amount of turn. We used to put a dab of grease on these when we lubricated the car. Another cause could be worn or loose inner control bushings on the upper and/or lower control arms. This will let the arm slide on a hard turn. I have also seen the caster and camber adjusting bolts loose and allow the upper control arm to snap on hard turns. There are many more causes and a good visual inspection using a pry bar at the various joints to detect motion is in order to isolate the problem.  

Classic/Antique Car Repair

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Brad Sears

Expertise

All automotive including antique and collectible. However if the car has been modified I can only answer in general terms and maybe get you pointed in the right direction.

Experience

Automotive tech instructor. Syndicated auto columnist 1970's though the early 1990's. Syndicated auto radio talk show, Ask Brad About cars, CBS Radio 70's through 90's TV Show "Last Chance Garage" 1980's PBS-TV syndicated. Auto instructor for the following companies: Fram Autolyte Holly Carter AMF Ford Motor University Of Conn Blue Hills Technical School Sugar River Technical Center Grew up in a family garage in Needham Mass and turned wrenches from the age of 14.

Publications
Manchester Union Leader, Nashua Telegraph, Motor Service Magazine, Yankee Magazine, Popular Mechanics (Saturday Mechanic early 80's), Los Angeles Times, New York Times, and lots more.

Education/Credentials
More than I care to remember. Basically Franklin Technical Institute in Boston, Northeastern University, Fitchburg State Teachers College, Tufts University, and a lot of factory schools along the way.

Awards and Honors
Moto Award winner. And much more.

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