HELP: clunk…cluck…cluck noise

[crios]

Hi all,

My car is making a clunk…cluck…cluck noise. I’m trying to figure out what it could be. Bases on the below info, where do you think I should be looking?

-Engine needs to be at normal operating temperatures to make clunking noise.
-Noise sounds like it coming from the rear drivers side wheel area.
-Noise only happens when car is in gear, accelerating or decelerating within gear. When clutch is engage, noise stops.
-Noise does not happen if car is at a stoplight, stopped, or freeway speeds. It only happens at street speeds.
-Noise frequency matches the speed of the car, but like mentioned above, goes away at freeway speeds.
-Noise happens regardless of surface or if driving straight/turning.

Here’s a typical day. Pull out of drive way, go down the suburban streets, speeds about 55, car is warming up. Once car is warm, noise starts as I hit street lights/stop signs, noise continues and get's louder….jump on the freeway, speeds of 65+, noise goes away….hit streets, noise is faint. Park car, car cools down, couple hours later, noise is gone, until engine is warm and hitting stop and go traffic, noise starts again.

This noise started happening about a year or so ago. I took into the dealership and they said it was a dirty stuck brake caliper. They cleaned it and the noise went away for about 3-4 months, then returned for a day, then went away... returning here and there throughout the year. For the last two weeks, the noise has not gone away and I’ve cleaned the brake calipers.

Thoughts?

Thanks,
Cesar

[texomawaves]

I'm a newbie here, but I'll go out on a limb and guess it's a CV joint perhaps.

[ppbon]

Originally Posted by crios

This noise started happening about a year or so ago. I took into the dealership and they said it was a dirty stuck brake caliper. They cleaned it and the noise went away for about 3-4 months, then returned for a day, then went away... returning here and there throughout the year. For the last two weeks, the noise has not gone away and I’ve cleaned the brake calipers.

Why do you not think it's the caliper again, if the sound came back 3 or 4 months after they were cleaned by the dealer?
How did you clean them?
You may have a bad caliper piston which is sticking and causing the sound.
Why don't you ask the dealer exactly what they found the last time when it was fixed and replicate what they did.
Happy Boxstering,
Pedro

[crios]

Hey Pedro,
I don't think it's the brake caliper for these three reasons:

-Engine needs to be at normal operating temperatures to make clunking noise.
-Noise only happens when car is in gear, accelerating or decelerating within gear. When clutch is engage, noise stops.
-Noise frequency matches the speed of the car, but like mentioned above, goes away at freeway speeds.

I cleaned the caliper by taking the wheel off, then the actual caliper, and cleaning it with brake cleaner. I’ve thought of rebuilding the brake caliper, but I’m stomped as to why this sound happens with the above situations. Specifically why the noise stops if I engage the clutch.

Thanks,
Cesar

[jhandy]

Top 7 things that make the noise you are describing.
engine mount - more in center front
Tranny mount
bushings in the rear control arms.
CV joint- clicking more often but can clunk
caliper loose-clunks
wheel bering- easy to tell, with the wheel on and lifted, rock the wheel up and down in and out
strut- clunks with bumps.

interesting about the clutch, with it dis-engaged, the torque is low. that would lean me to the engine, tranny mounting points, strut, control arm.

[mptoledo]

Have you checked/fed your trunk monkey lately?
http://www.metacafe.com/watch/yt-RCUBxgdKZ_Y/trunk_monkey_compilation/

[RandallNeighbour]

Did you replace your caliper bolts when you removed them?

They stretch when torqued down and should be replaced each time they are removed. This could be the cause of your clunking.

[Frodo]

MP, you sure have an uncanny knack for changing the subject!