Another clunk clunk clunk thread....
#1
Registered User
Thread Starter
Another clunk clunk clunk thread....
Alright, did some searches and came out empty handed.
I have just recently been hearing a quiet "chunk chunk chunk" from the general front of the vehicle at slow speeds. It's rhythmic and increases and decreases in relation to speed.
I'm very afraid it's the tranny.
It only occurs with the car in gear. Any gear. Though 1st is most noticeable.
The sound is not present when the car is in neutral and in motion. Only in gear.
It is not noticeable at high speed, though it's existence is possible, maybe just not audible.
Any ideas?
I have just recently been hearing a quiet "chunk chunk chunk" from the general front of the vehicle at slow speeds. It's rhythmic and increases and decreases in relation to speed.
I'm very afraid it's the tranny.
It only occurs with the car in gear. Any gear. Though 1st is most noticeable.
The sound is not present when the car is in neutral and in motion. Only in gear.
It is not noticeable at high speed, though it's existence is possible, maybe just not audible.
Any ideas?
#3
Registered User
Any chance of a video with sound? It would help to know how the speed of the car relates to the frequency of the clunking sound.
You say it happens only in gear. Does the frequency change with different gears at the same speed? Does the noise go away if you press the clutch pedal down?
What year is it?
You say it happens only in gear. Does the frequency change with different gears at the same speed? Does the noise go away if you press the clutch pedal down?
What year is it?
Last edited by winchman; 09-06-2010 at 11:35 PM.
#7
Registered User
Thread Starter
I will try to take a vid of the sound today.
It doesn't sound like the noise changes speeds with gears.
The frequency of the sound is directly relevant to the cars speed.
It's really close to the sound you hear when a tire is flat.
I actually thought for a while that my tire was going flat or had a hole in it. But after checking, tire is fine.
I cannot tell if it is coming from driver or passenger side. It sounds very centralized right in front of the center console. But I can't be for sure. It is possible it is coming from one side or the other, but it's hard to tell.
It doesn't sound like the noise changes speeds with gears.
The frequency of the sound is directly relevant to the cars speed.
It's really close to the sound you hear when a tire is flat.
I actually thought for a while that my tire was going flat or had a hole in it. But after checking, tire is fine.
I cannot tell if it is coming from driver or passenger side. It sounds very centralized right in front of the center console. But I can't be for sure. It is possible it is coming from one side or the other, but it's hard to tell.
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#8
Registered User
It doesn't make much sense that being in gear or out of gear would make a difference with a wheel bearing. However, accelerating in gear versus coasting in neutral might make a difference.
#11
Registered User
Thread Starter
Nope, only while rolling in gear.
I tried to take a sound file of it, but it didn't pick up well at all. I'll try again when I get home.
Thanks for all the help so far fellas.
I tried to take a sound file of it, but it didn't pick up well at all. I'll try again when I get home.
Thanks for all the help so far fellas.
#12
Registered User
If the frequency of the clunking sound depends only on the speed of the car, then it's wheel bearings, tires/wheels, rear axles, propellor shaft, or the output end of the transmission.
If the frequency depends only on the speed of the engine, then it's the input side of the transmission, the clutch, or something on the engine itself.
I'm having a hard time with the the sound happening only when the car is in gear if it's something to do with the wheel bearings, etc. That just doesn't add up.
Does the sound get louder (or go away) if the car is going up hill or accelerating (engine working harder), when the car is turning (side load on suspension/bearings), or when the brakes are applied?
If the frequency depends only on the speed of the engine, then it's the input side of the transmission, the clutch, or something on the engine itself.
I'm having a hard time with the the sound happening only when the car is in gear if it's something to do with the wheel bearings, etc. That just doesn't add up.
Does the sound get louder (or go away) if the car is going up hill or accelerating (engine working harder), when the car is turning (side load on suspension/bearings), or when the brakes are applied?
#14
Registered User
Thread Starter
Ok update.
After dealing with this noise for a while I have figured out some things:
It is proportionate to the speed of the car.
It still occurs with the car in neutral.
It still occurs with the clutch depressed.
It stops when I gently touch the brake.
I have a video with the noise fairly audible.
http://video.ak.fbcdn.net/cfs-ak-ash...3550_36925.mp4
After dealing with this noise for a while I have figured out some things:
It is proportionate to the speed of the car.
It still occurs with the car in neutral.
It still occurs with the clutch depressed.
It stops when I gently touch the brake.
I have a video with the noise fairly audible.
http://video.ak.fbcdn.net/cfs-ak-ash...3550_36925.mp4
Last edited by Tackett; 09-11-2010 at 07:53 AM.
#15
Registered User
You video doesn't work in Firefox or IE, but the symptoms suggest wheel bearings. The pressure of the pads on the rotor changes the load on the bearings just enough to stop the noise.
Just to be on the safe side, I'd jack up each corner (or put the car on a lift) and turn the wheels to make sure the pads aren't dragging on the rotors, and to be sure the rotors are OK. But, my money's on a bad wheel bearing. Now you just have to find which one.
Just to be on the safe side, I'd jack up each corner (or put the car on a lift) and turn the wheels to make sure the pads aren't dragging on the rotors, and to be sure the rotors are OK. But, my money's on a bad wheel bearing. Now you just have to find which one.
#17
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#18
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Thread Starter
#19
Registered User
Wow, that sounds pretty bad. I'd be hesitant to drive the car very much or very fast until the cause is found and fixed.
Have you looked closely at your tires lately? Sometimes you only look at the outside as you walk up to the car, but the inside of the tread will sometimes wear much faster on cars with lots of camber/wide tires. I've seen cord on the inside edge of a tire when the outside part was still OK.
Have you looked closely at your tires lately? Sometimes you only look at the outside as you walk up to the car, but the inside of the tread will sometimes wear much faster on cars with lots of camber/wide tires. I've seen cord on the inside edge of a tire when the outside part was still OK.