2nd Generation Specific (1986-1992) 1986-1992 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections.

Loud Clacking Noise

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Old Apr 9, 2007 | 05:02 PM
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10thAEWHiteHeat's Avatar
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Loud Clacking Noise

Every time i go over any bumbs in the road, even speed bumps at low speeds.. i hear a significantly loud clacking coming from i think every side of the car except the driver's front side. The clack sounds like as if something is loose and the bumps are making whatever is loose hit against something. It sounds like it may be coming from the area of the wheel wells but does not sounds like suspension?? Anybody know what this could be or has had this happen to them?
Oh yeah and also.. when i am in reverse i hear another clacking in the rear right-hand side of the car which in the frequency of what seems like every time the wheel makes a full rotation.. wierd
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Old Apr 9, 2007 | 05:18 PM
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Probably your struts dying... Pretty common noise.
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Old Apr 9, 2007 | 05:19 PM
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Have you looked under the car to see if anything is caught in the suspension and/or brakes? Sometimes weird stuff gets kicked up in there and then makes all sorts of horrible noises depending on where it is trapped.

You might also have an exhaust heat shield that has worked itself partly loose and rattles whenever the exhaust moves, like when you hit a bump or go over a speed bump. I think you're going to have to get under there and tell us what you're seeing.

On the right rear wheel that is making a noise every revolution, there could be something metallic like a nail stuck in the tire tread. When this has happened to me before, I've heard a faint ticking sound as the nail head (or whatever) strikes the pavement with each revolution. Of course, this sound is usually pretty faint and hard to hear unless the windows are down.
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Old Apr 9, 2007 | 06:15 PM
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If it's more of a click then it's your control links. There's a manufactuer tsb that says when they wear out they click.
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Old Apr 9, 2007 | 07:21 PM
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Originally Posted by 10thAEWHiteHeat
Oh yeah and also.. when i am in reverse i hear another clacking in the rear right-hand side of the car which in the frequency of what seems like every time the wheel makes a full rotation.. wierd
Originally Posted by micaheli
Probably your struts dying... Pretty common noise.
Struts?
I think not.
Jack up the rear and put car in neutral.
-Spin wheel in both directions.
-Assuming there is nothing caught in the wheel that may be brushing the shock body/spring you have only a few probable culprits left to look at- the halfshaft, the wheel bearing or the brake assembly.
-Remove the rear caliper. If the noise remains you're down to the halfshaft or bearing.
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Old Apr 9, 2007 | 07:45 PM
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Originally Posted by daviddeep
Have you looked under the car to see if anything is caught in the suspension and/or brakes? Sometimes weird stuff gets kicked up in there and then makes all sorts of horrible noises depending on where it is trapped.

You might also have an exhaust heat shield that has worked itself partly loose and rattles whenever the exhaust moves, like when you hit a bump or go over a speed bump. I think you're going to have to get under there and tell us what you're seeing.

On the right rear wheel that is making a noise every revolution, there could be something metallic like a nail stuck in the tire tread. When this has happened to me before, I've heard a faint ticking sound as the nail head (or whatever) strikes the pavement with each revolution. Of course, this sound is usually pretty faint and hard to hear unless the windows are down.
Well i think i would rule out anything being stuck up there because it happens in different parts of the car and when different wheels hit a bump or ditch.. And i would also rule out the nail in the tire because this is definitely a LOUD and UGLY noise. The heatlshield idk.. its is a more solid and low-pitched noise than a thin metal heatshield hitting the exaust and it rattles as if something was loose. The heatlshield would be more high-pitched, and would probably onle make one distinct click. Maybe i can video it and post it up..
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Old Apr 9, 2007 | 09:05 PM
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If you installed a rear camber adjestment bar , it may be too much. and you have to give it some camber back.

The sound i had was a thunk. From the middle rear. mostly on heavy accleration or bumps.

Also may be your bushings on some of your suspension parts have degraded and it may be metal on metal.
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Old Apr 10, 2007 | 01:11 AM
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I haven't done any suspension work... Did the thunking turn out to be your rear diff? Idk.. i am changing the tires this week so i will have the mechanics look around when they do so and i will watch so they dont BS me
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