Hi guys,

I'm leaving for the track at noon tomorrow, and my car is making a clunking noise under certain circumstances: I've been able to replicate the noise under hard braking, sharp turns to the right, and even on a hard uphill launch.

It sounds like a clunk, not metallic, but like something is shifting in place. It sounds like it is coming from the drivers side front corner of the car.

I initially thought it was the driver's side driveshaft because both boots on that side had holes and were spitting grease...i thought water got in and caused a problem. However, Acura replaced the driveshaft under warranty last week and the car is still making the noise. I also checked all of the suspension bolts on both sides in front last week, and they were all at spec.

Any ideas on what it could be?!?! Could it be the shock itself? I'm at a loss...can't figure out where the sound is coming from. I'm freaking out a bit because I am taking the car to the track tomorrow, and don't want something nasty to happen if something lets go. Please give me some suggestions to try and locate the source of the noise!

 

brake pads moving around in the caliper.?

my car makes sounds similar to what you describe...


Willis

 

Do you have aftermarket suspension?

Is everything out from under the seats?

 

Try it with the brakes lightly applied...same noise???

 

If it is a "big clunk", then it might be the Tranny. I had a tranny go on my Neon and it made a big clunk and then it would drop into gear. You might want to have it checked out.

 

Then again, your tranny isn't in the front right of the car!

 

I interested also in what the problem is. Keep us informed!!!

tjtruong

 

Thanks guys, keep em coming.

The car has been on the track 3 times...some autox. Nothing really too heavy duty other than that. No drag racing. I drive it like a granny on the street most of the time.

I'm going to be changing the brake pads, so I'll check that out tonight.

Suspension components are now back to stock. I had King A arms on the front, but swapped them out to make sure it wasn't the ball joints making the noise. It's still making the noise with the stock arms.

Maybe it is the wheel bearings? I just went out and looked at the suspension again...everything is solid as hell.

Keep coming with the suggestions guys. thanks a million.

 

Lift up the front, insert key and turn 1 click(but do not start) Go and grab wheels at 9 and 3 o'clock, shake like you are trying to turn the wheels back and forth. If there is that clunk, then its tie rod bushings or other suspension, if it shakes while holding at 12 and 6 o'clock its wheel bearings

 

Try what Chris said.

My left front wheel bearing had to be replaced. It made clunking noises that sound similar to what you are describing.

Shawn


[Modified by Snapspinnr, 10:43 AM 8/1/2001]

 

aww shucks! I actually learned that when I had my lowrider!!!

The shake up and down I figured out watching Taz Harveys guys(family!)....

[edit] Or was that sarcastic??!! [/edit]

 

could also be one of the motor mounts

yoshi - who's civic clunked b/c of a bad front tranny mount

 

How long ago did it start? Just after the dealer did the axles?

Aside from the brakes (my first guess, mine does that), check the wheel bearings the way Chris mentioned, but I'm on my original wheel bearings with 130K of hard miles.

Does the car still handle well?

 

Damn Geeser...you even brought it out of retirement and took it to the boards! You make me feel special... I'll play with it when I get home from work...which i'm sure will be around 11...doh!!! This was happening before the dealer touched it. Thanks as always.