Goofy clunking sound
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Joined: Aug 2014
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From: Michigan
Goofy clunking sound
Here's a weird one for you experts...
When I pull out of the garage and take off down the driveway everything sounds great. I've noticed lately that when I come home and slow down to turn I hear a slight clunking sound. It's hard to pinpoint where it is coming from but it sounds like the front end somewhere.
Does this make any sense? Is there any component(s) that would be prone to rattling/clunking once things warm up from driving?
2003 stock coupe.
When I pull out of the garage and take off down the driveway everything sounds great. I've noticed lately that when I come home and slow down to turn I hear a slight clunking sound. It's hard to pinpoint where it is coming from but it sounds like the front end somewhere.
Does this make any sense? Is there any component(s) that would be prone to rattling/clunking once things warm up from driving?
2003 stock coupe.
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Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 717
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From: Michigan
A wheel bearing can cause a clunking sound?
I've had them go out on other cars before and all I heard was a loud grinding sound. This clunking isn't just one isolated "clunk"...it sounds like something is rattling.
Also, it's not speed dependent. The sound doesn't get worse or better depending on how fast I'm going. It also doesn't happen when I am turning...I hear it as I am slowing down and getting ready to turn.
I've had them go out on other cars before and all I heard was a loud grinding sound. This clunking isn't just one isolated "clunk"...it sounds like something is rattling.
Also, it's not speed dependent. The sound doesn't get worse or better depending on how fast I'm going. It also doesn't happen when I am turning...I hear it as I am slowing down and getting ready to turn.
Last edited by jjaaam; Aug 13, 2015 at 11:33 PM.
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Joined: Aug 2014
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From: Michigan
Then I notice this clunking sound. It sounds like a mid-range rattle if that makes any sense. Once I turn and I'm going straight down my driveway I can hear it too. Slight ratlling/clunking. It doesn't get any worse when I turn.
I know it doesn't make any sense, and that's even more frustrating. Maybe it IS happening around town and I'm just not noticing it. Lately I've been trying to listen for it all the time but I hear it the most prominent when I'm literally slowing down to turn into my driveway - but BEFORE I make the turn.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 146
Likes: 12
From: Stuart Florida
It could be the rear axle nuts.. Is it a manual? Can you feel the clunk through the shifter? I had a similar issue with my 04 m6 and it was the rear axle nuts. Greased the shafts and torqued to GM spec and the clunk went away.
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Joined: May 2015
Posts: 58
Likes: 3
From: Cedar Park TX
This was the case with my weird clunking.
Could not figure out for the life of me what was wrong, and very nearly bought new transmission and engine mounts. Then one day, I pushed on the trunk and heard the clunk. Looked under, sure enough, my rear swaybar endlinks were loose
I'd check those first, it's usually really easy to tell.
Could not figure out for the life of me what was wrong, and very nearly bought new transmission and engine mounts. Then one day, I pushed on the trunk and heard the clunk. Looked under, sure enough, my rear swaybar endlinks were loose
I'd check those first, it's usually really easy to tell.
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Joined: Aug 2014
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From: Michigan
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 717
Likes: 80
From: Michigan
This was the case with my weird clunking.
Could not figure out for the life of me what was wrong, and very nearly bought new transmission and engine mounts. Then one day, I pushed on the trunk and heard the clunk. Looked under, sure enough, my rear swaybar endlinks were loose
I'd check those first, it's usually really easy to tell.
Could not figure out for the life of me what was wrong, and very nearly bought new transmission and engine mounts. Then one day, I pushed on the trunk and heard the clunk. Looked under, sure enough, my rear swaybar endlinks were loose
I'd check those first, it's usually really easy to tell.
You say it's easy to tell. What would I be looking for? I had it up on stands a few weeks ago and looked at them and they didn't seem overly worn or degraded.
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Joined: May 2015
Posts: 58
Likes: 3
From: Cedar Park TX
Whenever I heard the creaking, I went underneath and saw that mine were actually slightly frayed. When I give them a little force, they actually produced the same creaking noise, albeit quieter. It was really as easy as tightening them back down. This might not be the case for you, but I figured it might be worth a try
4th Gear
Joined: Jul 2012
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I've been chasing down a similar "clunkety-clunk" when going over speedbumps or out of driveways. Checked front and rear sway bar & links, wheel hubs, bushings. Replaced or tightened damn near everything including the subframe bolts. After all that, I could only assume it was worn ball joints (being about the only thing remaining).
Anyway, replaced my brakes recently & the spring clips on the calipers just kinda fell out, so I bent them back a bit. And what do ya know.... no more clunkety-clunk....
Seeing as you are slowing when you hear the clunk, you may check your brake clips first, cheapest fix by far
Anyway, replaced my brakes recently & the spring clips on the calipers just kinda fell out, so I bent them back a bit. And what do ya know.... no more clunkety-clunk....
Seeing as you are slowing when you hear the clunk, you may check your brake clips first, cheapest fix by far