This happened about 6 times today on the way to work. The first time was when I was making a sweeping left turn. My wife felt it at here feet which would be near the passenger front wheel. It happened again and then I pulled over to check the wheel to see if it had come loose. I didn't appear to be the case. As I was pulling over, it happened 3 time within 20 feet. I could not see anything so I pulled out again. It happened again within 100 feet, and not again the rest of the way to work (7 miles). Anyone have any similar problems? Any thoughts on what this could have been?

Thanks
Ray Nist

 

tell more about what the noise sounds like and what situations it was happening in.

 

The noise sounded like if someone rapped with their fist on the windshield, but a bit duller. It came from the passenger footwell area, almost as if someone was hitting the footwell with a rubber mallet from underneath. The first time it happened while making a sweeping left. Then again making a soft left at a stop sign. Then as I was pulling over to see what the noise was, it happened several times, I was going straight, but the road was slightly bumpy. I really thought it was the wheel coming off.

As I proceeded to work, I made many of the same types of sweeping lefts and hit bumpy areas on purpose but could not reproduce the sound. At lunch I will go and tighten the lug nuts to make sure that was not the problem.

--Ray

 

check CV boots

 

If it happens when you hit a bump or a small pit on the road, it could be loose tie-rod or some other bolt. If you have time after work, take that wheel off and inspect all the rods and bolts with your hands. See if you could notice any excessive freeplay.

 

For rips or tears?

I will also check the tie rod ends and such, but may not be able to do this until Saturday as it is not dark by the time I get home thanks to daylight savings time.

--Ray

 

check for rips and tears and for grease around the area... You may also want to check the wheel bearings... jack up the front end and see if you have excessive play in the wheels.

 

Mine was making a similiar noise, and after a bunch of bs from some dealers, I discovered the strut itself was broken. The mechanic who fixed it said he could only hear it when he had the car jacked up, and he was banging on the wheel with a mallet. Basically, the chrome rod in the strut had become separated from the strut base. Worth a look.