Let's make a long story short.

1) I've re-greased my starter several weeks ago. After I put everything back, I found there's strange click-click-click... noise when I start my car cold or steer to left.

2) I have brought my car to my mechanic, he inspected my starter work, checked my bearings, CV joints, trans axels and steering mechanism. Nothing is wrong.

3) Eventually, my mech. shaked my Y-pipe at the section that looks like braided and heard clanking. Thus, he made a conclusion that I need a Y-pipe. But my Y-pipe looks in excellent exterior shape without any rust or even a dent.


Well, I have several questions about the noise.

1) Any .orgers have such problem ever?
2) If it is the Y-pipe, how to explain the noise only happens while steering to left? The noise at cold start makes sense.
3) Any suggestion/guess for the noise?


And if I manage to replace the Y-pipe....

1) Which Y-pipe should I choose? Get one from junk yard or get a performance one?
2) I really concern about the California SMOG check issues. Will the popular aftermarket Y-pipes (Cali model) pass the Cali SMOG check? CA max owners please chime in.

TIA

 

any comment?

 

Hey I am having the same problem. When I turn left and left only. Sometimes I get this clunk noise. It like 3 clunks as I am turning left. It will happen once pause then again pause and then again. Does that sound like your problem? Well I have a y-pipe on the way so maybe I can tell then.

 

svojs, miles? When I replaced my original y-pipe at like 160k (in new england) it would make weird sounds in turns sometimes, and every now and then it would make the weirdest undescribable clunk sound when I would let out the clutch downshifting into second going slow, but that's not why I replaced it, it was clearly causing an exhaust leak, which could be heard. the braided material had a giant hole on the topside and quite a ways around BUT that's not where it leaks, inside that braided section is an accordian like tube, basically you need to look at the braided section on the top and if it's rotted to **** chances are it's also leaking AND making weird sounds. You'd be STUPID not to put a performance y on your car, search for y and read the stickies

 

I'd put my money on the CV joints even though the guy told u theres nuthin wrong. Is there any vibration at high speed? 50-70mph.. is there any clickin while rollin straight, or only on turns, both at slow speeds?

I dont see how a "clickin" noise could be cause by the Y-pipe unless it was bangin into the subframe. In which case it wouldnt be the Y-pipe it'd be the rest of the exhaust.

 

I agree on the CV joints diagnosis. I had mine replaced 3 years ago and the noise seems to be back. Will be taking it in on Saturday.

 

Check to see if your O2 sensor behind the cat is banging into the heat shield.

 

Thanks for replies. Got some more specific info.

Basic info of my Max:
99 GLE auto / California spec / 94K miles / Everything is stock.

1) The mechanic is a friend that I can trust. He did inspect CV joints/boots, bearings, trans axels and steering system. Nothing wrong with these items. Both my mech and me suspect these systems, too. But we can not find any bad stuff on these systems.

2) No strange vibration at all. My car drives/handles as good as before. Just feel a little bit slow (almost no difference) while accelerating. The gas/mileage is about the same.

3) The O2 sensor on Y-pipe is intact and on position/in good shape. It does not touch anything to cause noises.

4) Performance Y is an excellent idea. Will it pass Cali SMOG check for sure? How's the noise level? Just don't like to get attention from cops on the road due to excess emission noises. I really concern about these factors. Man, I hate Cali laws.

 

Oh crap, I missed that you are still on the stock Y-pipe. Given that, and the fact that you checked all that stuff, I'm much more inclined to agree with your mechanic.

I'm not sure whether a performance Y-pipe will pass Cali emissions. My car passes PA emissions with a Cattman Y-pipe and Magnaflow cat, although apparently my NOx emissions are a little on the high side. That may be due to my car running rich, though, which is due to other factors. Take that as you will.

 

For the record, yes an aftermarket ypipe will pass cali emissions.

But, if it is your ypipe making the noise because the flex section is lose, just make sure the bracket is tight and get new hanger bushings. It doesnt matter if your ypipe flex section is totally sloppy and lose, if your brackets and bushings are tight it wont make any noise.

 

It could also be your strut bearing. When these go bad the spring will windup then pop as it releases.

 

if ur going to replace ur Y- Pipe, why not go for a performance one, u might as well get an HP boost if ur going to replace a y pipe right?

 

Looks like this is my problem, where can i find strut bearings?

 

I've gotten mine from tirerack previously, but I'm sure you can find at the dealer for about the same price. Check online too, you can find them anywhere.

Bad strut bearings will certainly make a clunking noise when turning the steering wheel. Depending on how bad it is, the noise can be big or small.

http://www.tirerack.com/suspension/s...122&perfCode=P

 

yea it was my ball joints.. man was the clunk noise loud.. the sound came after i went powersliding in the rain

 

But the noise also happens when I start car from overnight stall. Even though the car is stopped with engine running, I can hear the noise. My situation might not related to strut bearing.

 

If you hear the noise when the car is running but not moving, steering wheel is straight, then it is definitely not suspension related. I would check belts first then other things.

However if you're hearing the noise when moving the steering wheel, a bad strut bearing might cause that. I've had it happen.

 

Any update?