Clanking while going over bumps

[TowingExplorer]

I've had a hollow metal on metal clanking sound for a few months now. It has not gotten progressively worse but I do not believe it was there when I first bought my X back in June 2009 and may have been caused during my strut replacement (see link in signature) in December of last year.

The sound reminds me of when I had a car that had exhaust contacting frame. It also seems like I can feel it through the floor while driving.

Lastly, when doing my rear brakes yesterday, I moved the tire from one side to the other while the vehicle was off the ground and if I did it rapidly, I think I may have been able to duplicate the sound. This is leaning me toward the rear as being the culprit. I shook the exhaust with my hand from below and got a lot of movement but no frame contact.

Lastly, possibly unrelated... I was surprised that when I turned one rear wheel and the other turned in the opposite direction, the drive shaft did not rotate. I'm guessing this is normal. That just, to me, eliminates anything forward of the rear axle as being the cause of the noise if I truly did duplicate it with the tire.

Does anyone have any suggestions on what to inspect?

 

[michael loibl]

I was surprised that when I turned one rear wheel and the other turned in the opposite direction, the drive shaft did not rotate. I'm guessing this is normal. That just, to me, eliminates anything forward of the rear axle as being the cause of the noise


Completely normal. As for the noise while rocking a wheel... could be wheel bearing, strut assembly not properly tightened to spindle or frame. Is it heard during left to right rocking of wheel or up and down, or both?

 

[TowingExplorer]

Completely normal. As for the noise while rocking a wheel... could be wheel bearing, strut assembly not properly tightened to spindle or frame. Is it heard during left to right rocking of wheel or up and down, or both?

Definitely valid possibilities.

I can tell you that while the X was off the ground, it wasn't an up/down motion so I would think that eliminates the strut from the equation.

I'll try and get someone under it while I'm turning the wheel so we can try and isolate the sound a little better today and let you know.

Could the wheel bearing cause a knock? I've heard them grind in other cars but never knock.

 

[TowingExplorer]

Did some more investigation today while I had it up on the lift. The wheels have no play side to side or in/out.

I narrowed down this particular clanking to coming from inside of the transmission when the drive shaft moves a little by turning the rear wheel by hand. The noise does not change if the transmission is in neutral. Does this sound at all like normal behavior?

The universals in the drive shaft seem fine.

When driving after doing my front brakes, I really don't think the sound is coming from that far up front. Can the OE exhaust hit anything?.. it really sounds like that.

 

[michael loibl]

Noises are tough sometimes... I just found the source of a clunk in my steering on wednessday after a year of annoyance. Turns out the bolt attaching the lower steering shaft to the rack was a little loose. less play now too. Unfortunately I have no other suggestions for your noise.

 

[TowingExplorer]

Well, I appreciate your attempt to help me narrow things down anyway.

I'll have to go over the rear suspension again, any thoughts on how to compress it and release it anywhere near a road simulation? If I just jack up the strut it's difficult to release anywhere near as quick as rolling over a bump.

 

[michael loibl]

ive had success with 3 big friends aggressively bouncing on the bumper and trailer hitch drawbar to simulate road compression while you use a rubber hammer on various contol arms and other solid parts

 

[TowingExplorer]

ive had success with 3 big friends aggressively bouncing on the bumper and trailer hitch drawbar to simulate road compression while you use a rubber hammer on various contol arms and other solid parts

Excellent idea. I'll give that a try and see what happens!