Lately i've been experiencing this weird clunking sound. It is very faint when u first start driving the car, but progressivly gets louder and more apparent as the drive continues. It happens when i am just starting to give it gas from a standstill. (automatic) Just as you step on the gas, i'll hear a clunk, as if something is shifting or is loose. The same sound is apparent when i slow to a stop too, almost when i am at a dead stop.

At first i thought it was a transmission problem, since a couple of days ago when i was gettin my tires changed, my car was leakin red fluid, which i assumed to be tranny fluid. I was gonna take it into the dealer friday, but they gave me the runaround and said they were too busy and that i'd hafta come back next week. so today saturday i took it to a mechanic that i occasionly go to. He barely drove the car and barely noticed the sound and said it's gotta do with lowering the car. he couldn't help me much cuz he was busy and also said to come back next week

I kno that when u lower ur car ur cv boots will start to rip and stuff...and eventually ur cv joints go. but you would hear ticking and stuff when u turn. but my problem is from a standstill goin in a straight line. Any ideas?

 

maybe its your heat shield rattling

 

need a lil more info. does this happen as the car is downshifting? or upshifting? is it from the front of the car or rear (I have a rear suspension "clunk" too)? by the center or corners of the car? does it happen at high speeds as well?

you might wanna have your tranny fluid looked at if it is leaking. don't want to kill anything. Lowering may cause a clunk in the suspension.... but tahts why you need to observe if its from a corner of the car, or in the center (transmisson/engine). also, does it occur on flat roads or over bumps? bumps = usually suspension, but flat roads mean other things.

 

If it comes from the wheel area, then my guess is sway bar link.

They make a horrible clunking noise that sounds like you're wheels gonna fall off or something else is about to. The bottom of it is a ball/socket sort of like a tie rod or ball joint and the top is a bolt that is undone to install suspension. It usually wears out faster under a drop, so that could very well be it.

 

well...this doesn't really happen on any shift. It happens as i suddenly slightly give it gas from a start, or if i suddenly slightly slow down.

It suonds like it's coming from in the center of the car, right around where the engine is, but a tiny bit closer to the passenger wheel.

thanks for the replies guys..i won't be driving the car until it gets checked out next week.

 

i doubt it's the suspension...but mayyybeee. it doesn't really sound like it's from the corners of the car. it definately sounds like it's coming from the engine area, slightly nearer the passenger wheel. my suspension is smoooth as i go over bumps or anything. i'm really puzzled.

 

Justin... it can be your crossmember. Jack your car up and see if the bolts are loose. They might need to be tightened. If its not the crossmember, then it might be your sways. If anything hit me up later...

 

Check your motor mounts. Put parking brake on and have someone you trust in the car to apply light throttle while you watch the engine torque react against the motor mounts. Stand to one side!

You may have a worn out mount. I had to replace the front link on my 90 Accord.