Clunking sound over bumpy roads, mechanics are clueless

[moataze]

Hi,


A few months ago I hit a pothole at quite a high speed, right after the incident there was intense vibration from the car and the steering wheel went soft. The car stabilized after 10 -15 seconds but since then I've been having this clunking sound when I steer the wheel, apply the brakes, or drive over bumpy roads.


https://www.youtube.com/shorts/SARgvsJ0kaQ


Mechanics recommended changing the suspension back to stock but to no avail. Any body experienced this issue before?

[RZNT4R]

In video form, that does not sound like it's coming from under the car. Suspension clunks will typically resonate in the chassis and sound much deeper, that clanking sounds like it's coming from inside the car, or at the very least hitting right at the sheet metal of the passenger compartment.

If it were me I'd stretch my arm under the dash and check the steering shaft. Might be play at the power steering unit or at the rack input shaft, or you might have sheared one of the bolts mounting the rack to the subframe.

Also, just because it's easy, check the strut bars under the hood, if the hit was hard enough, one of those could be popping at the mounting points, and those pops would go up the rod and into the firewall like a speaker.

[moataze]

Originally Posted by RZNT4R

In video form, that does not sound like it's coming from under the car. Suspension clunks will typically resonate in the chassis and sound much deeper, that clanking sounds like it's coming from inside the car, or at the very least hitting right at the sheet metal of the passenger compartment.

If it were me I'd stretch my arm under the dash and check the steering shaft. Might be play at the power steering unit or at the rack input shaft, or you might have sheared one of the bolts mounting the rack to the subframe.

Also, just because it's easy, check the strut bars under the hood, if the hit was hard enough, one of those could be popping at the mounting points, and those pops would go up the rod and into the firewall like a speaker.

Thanks a lot, I will get the steering checked and report back with the findings.

[gcmak]

Sounds to me like its inside the cabin too - like you knocked some panel or trim piece out of place. Might go around the cabin from ceiling to the floor banging on every piece of plastic you can see - in addition to inspecting steering components since something could have gone out of whack with a really hard hit.

[humfrz]

I'd suggest you check the front wheel bearings and front brake calipers.

The last time I heard something like that, it was coming from an empty, steel wheeled, hay wagon being pulled down a washboard lane.

[RToyo86]

I've had bolts come lose and absolutely drive me nuts around the dash. Might be worth pulling the tweeter speaker panel off and checking the screws.

[spcmafia]

Originally Posted by humfrz

I'd suggest you check the front wheel bearings and front brake calipers.

The last time I heard something like that, it was coming from an empty, steel wheeled, hay wagon being pulled down a washboard lane.

I also think it is the wheel bearings. It either sounds like there's metal grinding while on the highway, or a clunking noise whenever turning-going over small bumps.

[radroach]

All the above comments, lol you guys should try better to stay current with the issues on these cars. This issue has been covered multiple times and should be well-known by now!

It's the electric power steering coupler. It makes corrections over bumps and rough pavement, and rattles if it has a broken part. The power steering behind your steering wheel has a worn or shredded bushing, a $20 replacement part.


Here's the repair procedure for the 86 / FR-S / BRZ EPS electric power steering coupler:

https://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=133606

[humfrz]

Originally Posted by radroach

All the above comments, lol you guys should try better to stay current with the issues on these cars.

Easy for you to say, you still have short term memory -

[soundman98]

stay current, i'm still trying to catch up to the past!

[humfrz]

Originally Posted by soundman98

stay current, i'm still trying to catch up to the past!

Yep, I hear that and I got a long way to catch up -

"hang on, I'm ah reachen fer the road gear" -

[AussieBRZ]

possibly the electric poer steering steering damper\coupler


part is like $5 but about 2 hours of fun to install


https://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=133606


think there is some youtube videos on replacent as well

[x808drifter]

Hope it's not this... (This is a joke of course.)
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