Spider-clicking noise when turning right

[minimike]

Hi all. I've got a clicking noise when I steer right. Doesn't have to be a full right turn either. Any ideas where to start?
No CV joints on this car. Car is a 79 stick, 2 litre.

[baltobernie]

Is the clicking noise coming from the steering wheel, down under the dashboard, or from the underside of the car?

[grittracing]

1st I would jack the right front of the car up. than put one hand on the top of the tire the other on the bottom and try to move the tire back and forth from top to bottom. is there any play? than do the same from side to side, is there and play, than turn the wheel all the way to the left check everything to make sure there is nothing binding or broke or bent or wraped around a tie rod sleeve or where ever. than turn back all the way to the right and do the same from the front. and I would check both sides you never know what you'll find. if nothing check tires for a rock in the tread.

[minimike]

noise appears to be coming from under the car and most likely near wheel. clicking is like metalic sound. I'd replaced
the inner and outer wheel bearings a few months ago. I had the noise before puttin in the new bearings.

I thought fender liner, but the noise is more metalic. I guess an underside inspection might yield some
visual clues.

[manoa matt]

If it clicked before and after the wheel bearing install, then its not the bearings. It's likely the brake pads rattling, or something hitting the brake dust shield with every rotation of the tire. Jack that side up and spin the tire. Take the tire off and spin the brake rotor. Spin them in both directions.

[minimike]

The sound is like a pcv valve when you shake it. Not so much metalic as I had thought.

[124JOE]

do you have inner wheel wheights?
they might be hitting the calipar

[bobplyler]

Mine used to do that when the inner fender liner got loose. They aren't there anymore.

[minimike]

are some of you driving without the inner wheel arches?

[124JOE]

yes in 78 mine didnt have any

[bobplyler]

are some of you driving without the inner wheel arches?

Without the front inner liner. It is a plastic piece that was added in 1979. It's fine without it. I think it was to help prevent rust.

[minimike]

I'll have to jack up the front end and remove them. My thoughts are that when you put another piece of
liner in place, you actually trap more road crap, salt and moisture and promote rust, but it's one
mans opinion.

[azruss]

there are a few differences in fenders with liners. the pre-liner fenders had no gaps in the bodywork around the nose and headlights. they also have a plate to block off the section between the fender and the interior wall. headlight bucket and molded turn signals were all sealed from the weather. i think fiat found it cheaper to whack out the plastic guards. Yes, the guard does trap debris and salt at it edges. rust on my 80 confirms that that is a problem. I am leaving mine off. easier to clean and inspect suspension and shock towers. In AZ, dust is your biggest polluter. Not sure how i'm going to seal off the stuff i need to.

[minimike]

Why not take the inner fender liners and hack them up to get the molded bits you need to seal off
the areas needed. Make them water tight with black silicon caulk. You can always remove it with a razor
blade. BTW, I'd suggest that if you do this, prep the areas to be sealed off and paint them up with some
epoxy paint, like hammerite before you silicon glue the 'shield panels' in place.

[minimike]

back to the noise when turning. I removed the inner fender tonite. After a quick test drive, still clicking when turning right.
I had it up on a jack and spun the wheel but no noises. I'll have to get it up on jack stands and get underneath the front end
to see what might be making the noise.