Tires bark going over bumps uphill - do I need new struts?

[noahthefrog]

My tires bark sometimes going over bumps and manhole covers while accelerating uphill in my '89 Tercel - do I need new struts and shocks or is this normal?

I didn't have this problem until I replaced my carb with a Weber, presumably because the car seriously lacked power. It only happens in 1st and 2nd gears and will happen sometimes when I'm moving at a steady speed up a steep hill, but mostly just when accelerating. My front tires have only 12,000miles on them, plenty of tread and no traction problems on flat ground. Shocks and struts on the car are original.

EDIT: Also, I hear a phhttt-phhttt noise when going over speed bumps. Am I correct in thinking the shocks are making that noise and is that normal?

[Tercel GTS]

That's front wheel torque creating traction issues. We have a large bridge that goes from my city in Georgia over the Savannah river to South Carolina. When I had the turbo engine in my car I could make the tires bark on the metal joints of the bridge at abnormally high speed.

[noahthefrog]

Originally Posted by Tercel GTS

That's front wheel torque creating traction issues. We have a large bridge that goes from my city in Georgia over the Savannah river to South Carolina. When I had the turbo engine in my car I could make the tires bark on the metal joints of the bridge at abnormally high speed.

I was hoping that was the case. I can afford too much torque much easier than new shocks!

I'm guessing better tires are the only thing I can do about it?

[Blueogre]

I noticed my tires barked on pavement then after the weber was on it was really happening on uphill acceleration,..... hence new struts. Made all the difference. The mention of a noise when going over bumps? I have a simular noise and I have new struts. I also have a squeek in the rear going over bumps,..... flexing the suspension? I repalced the rear shocks as well. Any ideas.

[noahthefrog]

Thanks for the info about struts Blueogre... I'm pretty sure mine are on their way out since they are 21 years old. How much did your struts cost to and were they easy to replace?

Your squeaking could be the rear brakes slightly touching as you go over bumps... or maybe the suspension hitting the rubber bottom-out bumpers if it's happening on large bumps.

[Tercel GTS]

For the sqeaking try soaking the mounting points of the rear axle and the places the shocks attach to rear axle with palmolive dish detergent. It won't attack the rubber and every time it rains it'll relubricate for a couple years. Ghetto but very effective.

[Blueogre]

Originally Posted by noahthefrog

Thanks for the info about struts Blueogre... I'm pretty sure mine are on their way out since they are 21 years old. How much did your struts cost to and were they easy to replace?

Your squeaking could be the rear brakes slightly touching as you go over bumps... or maybe the suspension hitting the rubber bottom-out bumpers if it's happening on large bumps.

I had someone else do the struts, the entire strut was not repalcable so the interiors were replaced, I will find that cost. There are available a stiffer strut and i found someone who uses them and doesn't like them. His advice is if someone trys to sell you an "upgrade" He told me the stiffer struts rattle the car apart.

I had roughly 400 lbs in the car this weekend, 2 people and 200 lbs of feed. it road like a dream. If I could find a softer strut I would go for it. Save the old ones,...after replacement, you may want the worn out ones back....

[Blueogre]

Originally Posted by Tercel GTS

For the sqeaking try soaking the mounting points of the rear axle and the places the shocks attach to rear axle with palmolive dish detergent. It won't attack the rubber and every time it rains it'll relubricate for a couple years. Ghetto but very effective.

Awesome,.... I do ghetto real well, Palmolive won't break down grease? I haven't looked at them, but I am finding these cars don't have a lot of zert fittings,...hate that.

[Tercel GTS]

There isn't a grease fitting nor are the bushings lubricated in any manner originally. The rubber tends to dry out then start making niose. The detergents in Palmolive do break down grease but comes with a type of lubricant that prevents hands drying out while washing dishes. Other dish detergents will work but not as long and eventually will attack the bushing. Grease would attack the rubber bushings very quickly and is the most likely reason Toyota didn't use any. Silicone would make a good lubricant in this area too.

[noahthefrog]

UPDATE: Problem resolved by lowering tire pressure from 35psi to 32psi. Think it just needed some more flex for the bumps.

[Blueogre]

Awesome, I looked for the exact numbers on the strut repalcement issue and couldn't find it. i know it was less expensive to rebuild than to get new. if new can even be found,..... housing and all i couldn't find new. i changed tires on mine and it made a difference on bumps but not so much on graveol roads. I borowed a really soft compound set and they are the best, quieter, no break loose issues,.... but i won't keep them, they are ment for flat track and do not last.

I got intot he concept of lubricting with a dishwashing soap and a friend of mine (chemist) told me to research the grease cutting compounds in some soaps. it ws indicated to look at some hair products for the same affect without the grease cutting issue,... which is supposedly more user friendly on rubber.

today I get to clean the entire inside of the engine compartment,.... the oil filler cap which doesn't have a gasket came loose and well you get the picture. it tightens down against the valve cover and so i made a gasket from some old gasket material so now it isn't so hard to get off when tightened properluy, keeping in mind i am adding oil every day.