First off, I searched, but didn't find any threads that I thought were similar enough to my problem...

A few days ago, after coming back from the muffler shop, I hung this downhill right-hand turn that I usually take every day. For the first time in my life, I heard this clunk-clunk-clunk-clunk-clunk coming from the REAR DRIVER'S SIDE. I removed all loose items from my trunk, hung the same turn, and heard the same clunk-clunk-clunk-clunk noise.

Okay, so I thought it might have something to do with my exhaust system since I had just come back from installing a new muffler; however, isn't the exhaust system more or less on the passenger side? - the clunking noise was coming from the rear driver's side.

Nevertheless, I went back to the muffler shop to get the exhaust system checked out. Back at the muffler shop, they vigorously shook the exhaust up, down, left, right, and every which way and it was no where near hitting anything.

So far, I can only duplicate the sound during two set of conditions: 1) aggressive downhill right hand turns (clunk-clunk-clunk-clunk-clunk) And sometimes 2) downhill rough surfaces (it'll just clunk once or twice, not continously). The suspension (Intrax/Koni) will not make a sound during any other conditions.

Could my car being on the muffler shop's lift (no load on suspension; suspension hanging) have unsettled the rear driver's side suspension

P.S. The last time the suspension was messed with was a couple months ago when the Konis were installed.

P.P.S. I also have an Addco RSB. It's never made a sound in the few years that I've had it. I don't think it's that, but I could be wrong...

 

If it is your muffler. Put your car on ramps and get under there (wait for the car to cool down). Grab you muffler and shake it side to side. Chances are you'll find it or the B pipe hits the underbody somewhere.

Relax its an easy fix. There are rubber hangers that help support the muffler. Adjust the rubber hangers on the muffler prongs to shift it away from the area where the muffler contacts the underbbody. Don't always trust muffler shops to be finesse gus-they're not. They are great at getting rusted bolts off and bangin on an exhaust but generally they don't excell is the small stuff....so it could still be your muffler.

You also have after market suspension. Did you install it yourself? If you did-then you probbaly know how to check it out. Its going to either be your muffler (probably this) or your suspension.

 

My friend had a 2nd gen Max that did it. It was bone stock, and the sound was just like CV joints, and same thing except going uphill. He never did find out what it was he just sold the car to somebody else.

 

Bad Koni installation. Hehehehe

Turtle, turtle...

 

Hmm..I highly doubt it's the muffler or exhaust piping...the sound is definitely from the rear driver's side. Anyway, I went underneath my car today and shook everything in sight. No rattles. RSB looked fine, too. I'm guessing it may be the shock/spring combo on that corner. We'll see. =(

 

Weird Update:

Today was the first good rain we've seen a while. And when I was driving on the freeway this morning, I kept hearing the clunking sound the whole time (just going straight on the freeway)!

The strange things is when it stopped raining later, there was no more clunking while driving straight on the freeway, but as usual, it still clunks on downhill right hand turns.

I tightened the nut on top of the rear strut, and the sound is still there. I'll probably take apart that spring/strut this weekend and see what's up.

This noise is really bothering me...

 

does it sound like my clunking noise? have you heard my car clunk?

 

sup Malik...nope, haven't heard your car clunk before...why is your car clunking? perhaps it'll give me some insight.

 

my clunking was from the rsb.. I had to tighten it up and the noise went away

 

its your wheel bearing !!

whicheva tire its from push the tire in and out...now if it moves ( if the tire wiggles loosely) the its ur bearing.

fix it asap or ur rotor and brake pad will go bye bye too

 

Bingo! That is exactly what I was going to suggest.

 

i should know after breaking 2

coutesy of koppel nissan ... a$sholes

 

i doubt its the wheel bearing. usually when they go bad they hum, and it gets louder as you drive faster. Calsonic's clunk is most likely suspension related cause it clunks the most on turns or bumps.

 

you know it might be something to do with the Konis I mean... I know in my case it could be the Ground Controls too with the old tophat design blah blah- but all the other people I know with GCs dont have NEARLY as bad noises as I do... not really making sense haha

I can never duplicate the noise by messing with the suspension when it doesnt have load on it... its frustrating!

Matt you've heard my noises before right? is it the same as Jeffs? same situtation too bumpy roads/turning

 

Jeff's noise actually happens alot more often. we'll have to look at it again this weekend maybe

 

dam wheel bearings ..

 

Okay, TurboMax and I took out the Koni/Intrax from that corner (rear driver's side) today, took it apart, put spiral wrap on some of the upper coils, put it back together, re-installed it, made sure everything was tightened correctly...end result? Same freaking clunk clunk clunk clunk clunk on certain downward sloping left hand turns and certain downhill bumpy roads. I also tightened the RSB bolts and examined the brackets for any sign of movement or contact. Nothing.

Damn, I guess my next step is to actually take off the RSB in order to completely rule it out. Sheesh, this sucks.

 

im telling u..its ur wheel bearing

 

Wouldn't a failing wheel bearing make a hum noise, rather than a clunk clunk clunk clunk noise in turns?

 

thats when u hear the wheel bearing gone bad when u turn and put strain on it

its a loud clunk grinding noise

do this

stand in front of the tire

push on the top of the sidewall of the tire...if it wiggles in and out and theres play in there...ur wheel bearing go bye bye..
now if its stiff and it doesnt wiggle ..then i dont know wha esle to say

 

Actually, the sound is more like a knocking noise, rather than clunking. knock knock knock knock knock in turns. Anyway, I'll try it tomorrow....

 

post sound clip jeff! Hope everything gets sorted out =(

 

mines the same... mines on the pass rear

ughh...

 

front or rear?

if front could be axle or cv joint ( the Boots could be torn)

rear...hmmm check ur brakes

keep us updated

 

Sounds like a CV joint to me. I had one go bad in my old integra, and it would do the same thing around turns, clunk clunk clunk clunk...

 

I'm sure its not the brakes, all the cvs are fine ( + sounds coming from the rear)

I'll fiddle with my suspension and see what happens... maybe put the OE struts back in

 

Update:

1) I removed the RSB. Hung a few turns. Same clunking sound. =(

2) Shook the wheel like GoldenGlory said. No freeplay/movement at all. So it's not the wheel bearing.

3) I kidnapped Matthel and he rode in the trunk to try to pinpoint the sound. Sound definitely coming from rear driver's side.

4) I took out the back seats. Matt rode in the rear on the bare metal, put on his seat belt, and held the door open while I hung a few turns to try to better pinpoint the sound. Again, sound definitely coming from rear driver's side underneath the car.

5) Examined the brake caliper and noticed that something was not quite right. Matt took it apart and reinstalled everything correctly. Hung a few turns. Same clunking sound. =(

6) Give up.

7) Later tonight, Matt was riding with me, and I hung this left hand sweeper onramp to the freeway. (OT: My RSB is still off. DAMN! The RSB makes a HHHHHHUUUUUUGGGGEEEEE difference. First thing I'm doing this weekend is putting it back on!) Clunk clunk clunk clunk clunk clunk clunk clunk! Matt is now pretty sure the noise is definitely coming from the Koni/Intrax even though we took it apart yesterday and reinstalled it. So, my next step is to get new bushings and spiral-wrap all the coils. We shall see...........

 

Listen theres a lot of confusion on this thread. I have the exact same problem you have, and you'll notice the problem even more going on uneven surfaces and going through small potholes, or bad areas of the road (bumpy areas). The problem is in the front and its your Stabilizer Link Bar. I have the problem on my front passenger side and its the same knock, clunk etc, when it rains or snow the bushings in the front of the stabilizer bar get moistened and the knocking stops but when its dry it begins again. You need a new stabilizer link as yours and mine are going bad slowly, its not an easy job to install so if you have a warranty (factory, or extended) get it done ASAP as it is a covered component of the suspension. I'm getting mine done this week.

 

interesting

 

BTW a very reputable mechanic told me so I'm not doubting him because its not my wheel bearings its not my shocks, struts, springs, and the car wasn't squeaking clunking when it was up on a ramp, only when it was down with weight distributed equally did the clunking, squeaking begin turn your steering wheel all the way to the right you'll see where its probably starting to rust and where the socket and ball joint are hitting... look at it from the passenger side when wheel is turned to left and look at it from driver side when wheel is turned to right.

 

hmmm I'll check that!! thanks!

 

but my knocking/clunking noise are coming from the REAR-driver's side...

 

There are rear stabilizer n links as well. They're cheap my mechanic told me 25 each side. I'm getting it done next week, or week after.

 

I am getting this same exact noise from my passenger side front when making a left turn. I'll have to take it in and get it looked at. It is extremely intermittent but its there. Happens on slightly rough and smooth pavement.

Jesse