1991 Town Car Mystery Noise

Hello Bill –
I have a question about my 91 Town Car. When I make a right turn into a driveway apron I hear a “clink” sound on the right rear side just as the right rear wheel reaches the top of the apron. It seems that I have to be going up hill for the sound to occur. I can make a right turn on a generally level area I have no sound.
My mechanic has already had the car up on the hoist but found nothing that would indicate a problem. Is it possible that it might be something in the differential or rear axle housing? The car is reaching 153,000 miles. Thanks for your time and for being there.
Gregg
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Greetings Gregg –
Some of these types of sounds are annoying and can be a cause for concern because they may be possibly announcing an expensive repair in your future. These noises are also hard to describe in a letter to someone else such as myself because one person’s clink could be another person’s creak etc.
Your 91 has enough time and miles on it now to have several suspension and steering related noises that may require attention at this time. Thinking your problem over I rule out the rear axles and differential (at this time) because that assembly does not know if your right turn includes an incline as you describe but all of the vehicles rubber bushings, suspension and links etc., however do feel this effect.
Before pursuing the rear axle and differential idea I would want the car inspected on a front end machine with the wheels on the ramps holding the car up as it would be while driving. A good front end and suspension technician should road test the car with you beforehand to see if he agrees with me that your noise could be a failed rubber suspension bushing of some sort. He then will inspect all of these bushings front and rear as well as items such as sway bar links, ball joints, spring mounts, body mounts and shock absorber mounts etc. On the other hand a road test by a concerned technician may lead him to another area of concern that only an on site road test and inspection can reveal such as rear brake problems or loose exhaust pipes etc.
As you can see, the above procedure is leading you to a less expensive first approach rather the delving immediately into an expensive rear axle assembly procedure. I hope that the above ideas help you and I hope that it turns out to be something simple such as a loose tailpipe.
Sincerely,
Bill