Celica developing issues

[celica91]

I recently moved to a state that requires inspections, from one that doesn't and I'm scared. I love my 91 celica and I have plans to rebuild it a little later in life so I would hate to part with it. The engine runs great. The body is in spectacular shape. No rust what so ever. BUt there have been a few problems developing that I can't quite figure out and i have ot get teh car inspected soon.

First, there is a strange noise coming from the front. Its not so much a metal on metal grinding, but more like rubber on rubber creak and its gettiing louder (been doing it for a couple years now). The CV boots are developing small hair line cracks but they haven't went all the way through. As far as I can tell there is no play in the wheels, so bearings seem to be good. But its creaking and squeaking is pretty loud now, and I'm pretty sure the brake pads are still in good shape. It makes the noise during the entire tire rotation but there is a pulse in volume at one point in its rotational travel. It makes the sounds at highway speeds and while creeping along in a parking lot just at a different pitch. Any thoughts here? COudl the pdas be dragging on the rotor? If so, wouldn't the part that is draging simply have warn down by now and stopped making the noise?

Second, while i'm driving down the road wheels streight, I can move the steering wheel back and forth two inches off of dead ahead left and right i can feel some mechanical interaction with the wheel. There is no noise, or jaming, just a few slight bumps/jostles. any ideas?

Thirdly. Its a manual transmission and 95% of the time, it will grind gears shifting into reverse. It will go into reverse just find, but not without an embarassing grr-clunk. I also noticed that sometimes if i have it in first gear and push the clutch pedal to the floor, there will still be some power getting to the wheels. Not enough to climb a hill, but enough to keep it creeping at a stop light.

One other thing. When excelerating, there are pulses in power like someone is slightly feathering the gas. There are no backfires and the engine doesn't sound like it is missing. In fact the engine sound doesn't change, but there is noticable losses of power sometimes for a split second, other times for 5 or 10 seconds, and the car jerks with the pusles (pulls hard than backs off makes for a horizontal bouce/jerking.)

I really love my car but it seems like things are just staring to go on it. Parking brake cables broke. A sprign on the hood latch broek. I think there is a leak in the full tube on the gas tank. I know the engine has more life in it as it only has 135,000, so I'd like ot hang on it. So your advice would help me save quite a bit of cash in reparis and would help me keep the ol' gal alive.

[Doctor J]

It sounds like the car has out of flat clutch pressure plate.

[fredk]

have the clutch checked out

[toyomoho]

The brake problem could be a combination of pad/rotor wear. The rotor is most likely a little warped, hence pulse sound.

As to the steering, check your tie rod ends, rack end swivel joints and intermediate shaft U-joint. Have someone move the steering wheel back and forth as you watch the steering system. See what moves and what does not.

Find out from the state, exactly what they inspect for.