1979 308 suspention bushing noise?

The clunking sounds may be coming from your steering rack. Mine was.

I replaced all 16 a-arm bushings w/ Energy Suspension polyurethane, but the clunking continued. Then, I installed a new Superformance UK quick-ratio steering rack, and the clunking stopped..

Just check it also to be sure...

Greg
77 308 GTB

 

Jerry
If the rubber bushings are cracked they would be suspect but they may still have many miles left. The clunking can also be coming from the shock bushings so if you can get someone to bounce your car up and down vigorously and look under the car you should be able to locate the area where the noise is coming. There are suspension kits available I think T Rutland has them. Not cheap. As far as diagrams you will need a copy of the Shop Manual as it can be helpful. But first check the search function on this chatline because there are many good post dealing with this topic. Good luck.

 

Gerald this is a post that I posted a while back and has links to JWise suspension rebuild.http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=143210 The rack can't be adjusted and what usually wears is the passenger side bush.If you check on Ebay there is a guy who is selling a rebuild kit for the 308 steering rack.There are also others on Ebay selling the suspension bushes as well as the shock bushes.If you are doing this on a 30year old car or there abouts then you might as well do the whole suspension and rack including the sway bar bushes as well.The shocks are generally cheaper to buy new than reconditioning as well.There is no point putting new shock bushes in worn shocks.Even if you dont decide to do it all at the same time you can stage it over a period of time.I did the front suspension,steering rack,and brake lines then later did the rear suspension and brake lines.Believe me you will feel a huge difference once everything is new and wont have to worry about it for another 30 years
PS:This was done on a GT4 but it should be the same as the GTB/S

 

Greg how does the new quick ratio rack feel in comparison to the original one?

 

Feels great! I highly recommend every 308 owner do it. Stock steering is 3.3 turns lock-to-lock, the new rack is 2.2--1/3 quicker.

It is a bit heavier in the parking lot than it was, but hey, that's why I lift weights! Car is much livelier in turns now. No more nervous at high speed than before, btw.

I just ordered the rack, pinion gear and new gaiters, and had an area (Houston) shop install the parts into my old tube. They had to make a bushing for me--the OEM one was worn, and this is why the old rack was rattling inside the tube. My tie rod ends were OK, so I didn't buy new ones--check yours for wear....

Enjoy,
Greg

 

You sure its not the old Koni shocks? My bushings look like hell as they're 30 years old but my clunking was an internal failure of the original Konis (a common problem I hear).
Bill

 

I fought the old bushigs out of my Konis, pressed in new bushings and still had not only noises but leaks. I finally said, oh darn, after all of that hard work, and bought QA-1s. No more noises.

This also required some new bushings from Verell and a bit of effort.

On the plus side, i could now adjust the ride height and the rebound dampning.

Konis are old, non adjustable technology. Why fight it.

You can buy new double adjustable konis but this is likely to be expensive.

hth,
chris

 

Here is the Ebay link to the steering rack rebuild kit.http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Ferrari-308-328-Mondial-Steering-Rack-Rebuild-Kit_W0QQitemZ290133012147QQihZ019QQcategoryZ33589QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
And here is a link to the shock bushes to suit Koni shocks.http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/FERRARI-308-328-KONI-shock-absorber-bushing-ref-100809_W0QQitemZ200123290962QQihZ010QQcategoryZ34200QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem