Author Topic: Thumping noise from front end (Read 3686 times)

gearheadE30 · « **on:** April 26, 2007, 06:49:15 PM »

Was driving home today in the rain after getting new tires installed, alignment, etc, and as I turn the wheel to go into my driveway, a thump comes from the pass. footwell. Going up the driveway, !st gear at idle 'cause I'm freakin out, and it is going thump....thump....thump. Seemed like it was from the pass. side or the tranny tunnel. I was a bit confused so I took it down the street. Backed out of the driveway, it was fine. Thumped once after going over the curb, but that may have been my head. No problems after that until turning around, low speed. Seems like the sound comes after going to steering lock. Also, this time it was more on the driver's side (I was also turning the opposite direction). Seems like it only happens with the clutch engaged or slightly engaged. I havn't had a chance to put the car up on stands yet because it is raining, so I can't see anything. Is there a brace that goes across the tranny tunnel that may be loose?

Plz help, sorry for the long post, but the more info the easier it is to diagnose a problem, right??

Thanks,
Jordan

b318isp · « **Reply #1 on:** April 27, 2007, 07:07:45 AM »

If you are sure that the suspension compornents are OK (also check the wheel bolts) it MIGHT be a sign that your propshaft bearing is on its way west (the rubber surround tears and allows the prophaft to hit the tranny tunnel).

e9nine · « **Reply #2 on:** April 27, 2007, 08:03:56 AM »

If this noise is dependant on the clutch being pressed in or out, check motor mounts, tranny mounts, Center Support Bearing, Guibo, Diff bearing next time your car is up on the lift.

I'd use it as an excuse to go back to the shop that did the wheels, tell them the noise just started, have them put it up on a lift and inspect away

shutter · « **Reply #3 on:** April 27, 2007, 11:07:32 AM »

Sounds like front end to me since it only happens turning or going over a bump. You didn't mention doing any front end work really.

edit: by front end I mean tie rods (sounds like the most likely culprit), bushings, control arms, etc... =)

gearheadE30 · « **Reply #4 on:** April 27, 2007, 03:32:41 PM »

Motor and tranny mounts are fine, but I need to get the car back up in the air and check the others. Yes, I am definitely going back to the shop, but unfortunately they are closed this weekend

.

I suspected the front end as well, possibly the control arm bushings which need to be replaced anyway, but it tracks straight and doesn't have any new handling quirks that usually pop up if the front end it tweaked.

Thanks for all the help guys, hopefully I can get this sorted out soon

shutter · « **Reply #5 on:** April 27, 2007, 04:19:51 PM »

An old car of mine used to "pop" under the exact conditions you described (slow turns fully racked, wheel turned over bumps slowly) and the tie rods were shot. I'm betting your problem isn't clutch related, rather speed related, which is why your clutch is frequently in the same position when you hear the pop. If that makes sense :confused:

gearheadE30 · « **Reply #6 on:** April 30, 2007, 07:11:18 AM »

Actually it does, and I think it was just the tie-rod bushings re-seating after being re-torqued. Also, I was in the rain, which would have caused the seating to be noisy. Or at least that was the story the shop fed me. So far so good, though. It hasn't happened since, so go figure. I probly should get new rods, though...

Thanks for the help, guys