jvelde

Did you check the battery cables - my negative cable was loose a while back and I had the same problem.

Danny, I did attempt to re-center the torque ball prior to replacing the mounts, so will do that again. I will need advice if I have top get to the universal joint, so please stand by for more reports. May not get on this for a day or two as it is currently 33 degrees and not scheduled to get too much better over the next two days, and my garage is not heated! Thanks, P.S. Torque ball mounts appear to be okay.

1939-Buick, problem showed up a couple of months ago and is getting worse. Had a brake dragging on front right and the inner wheel bearing was a little noisy, so replaced bearing and honed all wheel cylinders and flushed all brake fluid. Replaced brake return springs and all wheels seem to turn freely and I don't feel any drag there.

Rear motor mounts are installed and there is no improvement in the low growl and vibration. Sound and vibration show up at 10-15 mph or so and do not change when I shift into neutral or put the clutch in. Have checked differential and fluid is fine, as is the transmission. Anyone have a suggestion as to where I should start looking now? Thanks,

Okay, motor mounts arrived yesterday while I was at the golf course and wiring harnesses arrived later in the day by UPS (7:10 PM). So, after a trip to the gym I will start on the motor mounts - think the wiring will need to wait a few weeks so we can take the Buick on a tune-up tour with our local AACA group in two weeks. Don't want to take a chance on it not being functional in case wiring takes longer to sort out. Thanks for all the advice on the motor mounts, I'll post status when done to see if they solve the vibration & growling issue.

Pete, any chance there is a front emblem/cloisonné buried in there anywhere? Thanks,

Thanks Terry, I have a growl and slight vibration after 10 mph or so that I can feel in the brake pedal and steering wheel that doesn't change with the clutch in or when in neutral but still moving. Rear motor mounts appear to be perished and really spongy, so they're next. Have already redone brake wheel cylinders and a front inner wheel bearing chasing this issue, so hope this does it.

Danny, shouldn't I put the rear up on jack stands while doing this? I may need to put the front up to get enough clearance for the jack and me anyway, and having the car level is probably better anyway. By the way, I don't think that medium size is going to work in Texas...., just saying! Thanks,

Thanks Grant - I appreciate the response from Jenz and the '39 Team Buick Members.

Billy, thanks for the comments, I agree that this should work. Hope we get some confirmation from a '39er who has actually done it that way with success. JV

Jenz, Thanks for the response, I'm hoping one of the '39 Buick Team Members will answer too. Several days till I get the new mounts, so I'll not be doing this till I get the new parts.

I have ordered new rear motor mounts which should arrive early next week - need some insight on removal of old ones and installation of new. Can I use a floor jack to raise the engine slightly to remove and reinstall, or is it more involved? '38-'39 manuals don't give me any direction here, and I really don't want to mess the torque tube alignment and torque ball up. Thanks,

Babblefish translates this as : Could you put a picture of the front and rear shock absorbers?

True, on the '39, the rubber separator is about 1/8 inch thick and has a hole in the center the same diameter as the center contact to allow the horn ring to make contact when pressed. The rubber material is medium firm waffle pattern sponge foam. Bob's Automobilia has them for $4.25 - see this web link http://bobsautomobilia.com/shop/dash-and-steering-control-items/horn-button-separator-1937-40-hs-370.html. If necessary I can take mine apart and make photos. Good Luck,

Sean, I have a '39 Special Business Coupe, Model 46 with trim code 794 - Tan Bedford Cord. Hope this helps, and we sure appreciate that you are compiling some records for posterity. Thanks,

Photo in 901 finally showed up for me as well. There is still a small black box with an X in the center instead of the first photo. I tried to right click on the "x" and then click on Show Picture from the drop down menu to no avail.

True, I can send you copies of the '38 & '39 Buick Service Manual sections on horns, but don't know if '40s have the same set up. Do you have the '40 Service Manual to refer to?

Another nobody here! On the '39 Special Coupe I have a growl that I can hear and feel in the steering wheel and brake pedal. Had a brake dragging a bit that I have fixed by honing all wheel cylinders and new springs and flushed the fluid, then changed out inner wheel bearings on right front wheel that felt rough, but still have the growl and vibration. Checked differential and trans, and fluid levels are fine. I am thinking torque ball or universal joint is my next suspect since I still feel the vibration when I go into neutral or have the clutch in. Tried to loosen the torque ball mounting stud per the manual by 1/4 turn but could not get the lock nut loose on either side - was afraid I was going to tear up the rubber mounting. I could get the nut and lock washer loose on the other end of the studs enough to get a little play in the outer torque ball retainer, but when I tighten everything back up I still have the problem. So, does anyone have some suggestions of what I should start looking for next? Thanks,

Mike, great to have you get a photo up for us. Hope you get more to post so we can see the rest of your treasure. Thanks,

In Hemming's Daily today.....

If you post this question on the Lincoln/Zephyr section you will probably get a quicker answer. Scroll down from the Forum Home page to the Domestic Makes section, look for Lincoln and there is a sub-forum for Zephyr. Good luck in you search.

Happy New Year from Texas too, y'all hear!

Here is another one that I took last year and converted from color today.

Here's one we did a year or so ago....

Grant, I would be in favor of a patch or two. Look forward to some more info.