Just trying to get some thoughts from some of you, as I'm sure you know quite a bit more about mechanics than I do (I'm learning with this car- my first used car since the internet information age really took over).

I have a slight thumping sound/effect that comes from the front driver side wheel area (when turning right), and I noticed it the other day when driving from Charlotte to Cincy. I am never on highways, so I'm not sure if this has been going on for a while.

Basically I can feel it when going on Interstate speed type turns (gradual lazy curves or sharper). There is no growling, no clicking. Just a dull thumping. I took the wheel of and my CV boots are intact, no grease thrown or anything.

A few months ago I had Eibach Pro-Kit put on (1" drop or so), as well as Ichiba 20" hub centric spacers. Have stock suspension otherwise, and 18" stock wheels.

I guess my question/s for those in the know would be:
1. Can a CV Joint go bad without the boot blowing?
a. If so, is there anyway for me to tell that's what it is?
b. Also if its a CV, is it safe to drive on it? Its noticeable but is pretty mild.
I need to drive back to Charlotte this week, and then can fix it/get it
fixed.
2. Could this be the spacer somehow?
3. Any other ideas what could cause this? There is no other noise so I don't think it is a bearing. A tie-rod bent?

Thanks all.

 

I don't know that much (just what I've run into from personal experience), but -

Is your under tray installed and all pop rivets and screws are in place? If not, could it be the wheel well insert being pushed back by the airflow and possibly scrubbing/hitting the wheel when it is turned? I ask, because I had an aftermarket bumper previously that didn't allow me to use all of the proper plastic rivets, and my wheel well insert would bump my wheel at speed. I didn't know what it was until it tore loose one day at high speed.

Also, you mention spacers - are you running the proper centric rings for your wheels? Are you running extended lugs or the type with separate lugs? Is everything torqued to spec? Was it torqued to spec while still in the air? I ask those questions, because improperly installed or improperly torqued spacers and lugs can make a thumping noise as well. But from my experience, you can usually hear that when driving and making turns in a parking lot and not just at speed on the highway.

Finally, I would check my wheel & tire for:
1) Anything stuck in the tread
2) Loose wheel alignment weights
3) slash/cut in the tread pattern

 

Look at your LCA bushings, they are loaded in a corner and can cause some odd noises if blown.

 

CV joints will make a *clicking* sound that will vary directly with vehicle speed (frequency of sound increases with speed). Might be upper shock mount. That will come on when turning.

 

Thanks for the insight guys.

I will check the tray and see, but I think its all on there well. As far as everything being torqued to spec, it was torqued to spec as far as I know (I told the shop to make sure it was)... the problem is I dont normally need to drive on highways, so I am not sure if it was doing this immediately after install. I was going to try to take the spacer off and see if there was some kind of wear/rubbing on the inside, but was by myself and couldnt stop the damn hub from moving with the socket wrench lol

I checked the other stuff, and nothing seems out of the norm.

Would I be able to tell if they are blown? Torn boot or anything?

I didnt even think of the upper shock mount... I guess that could be it also. There definitely isnt any clicking, just the dull thump thump thump...

 

im having the same issue, but happening at all speeds. no springs but i so have the spacers which i tried loosening/ torquing; did you end up getting this fixed?
anyone got answers on if there is a way to tell if the lca bushings are shot?
how can you test the upper shock mount?
any help is appreciated