Clicking From Rear - Changes with Road Speed
 

Hi,

Last night on my way home from work I noticed a 'clunking' noise coming from the rear of the car (passenger side). It almost sounded like a tire was going flat, but it didn't really have any of the other symptoms. I checked the tires and they were fine. I took the car around the block this morning and it was making the same noise.

The noise would speed up and slow down with road speed, so it's is something rotational. The first thing I thought of was the axle/axle nuts, but that seems to be more a 'clicking' sound than a clunk. And it doesn't seem the axle/nut noise appears on steady-state power (it happens on torque changes).

My car has about 23k miles on it, it has RCE Yellow spring, Koni shocks, and some whiteline bushings.

Any thoughts on what it could be?

My bet is that you have an axle going bad at the CV joint. If it was just the axle nut it would be more of a single "tink" when accelerating from a stop. Clicking that accelerates with vehicle speed is usually a CV joint.

Doesn't a bad CV joint click when turning? This noise happens all the time, even when going straight.

Kinda. Anytime that the axle and half shaft are not level with the rear subframe there is potential for clicking. Lowering the suspension and adding camber adds to the misalignment of the halfshaft and axle, further stressing the CV joint and causing a damaged CVs to click. Check out post number 79 on this link:
http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1525604

My guess is that the EDJ cage in your CV joint is cracked or broken. If you do a lot of burnouts or clutch kicks, or pretty much anything that shocks the driveline can result in axle failure like this. From what i've read on this forum, the axles on this car are not very robust and have the potential for failure, especially on lowered cars. That said, I haven't had any problems with mine except for having to replace a loose axle nut.

My money is on @Nickosport 's theory.


humfrz

You said you checked the tires- did you just check pressures or did you inspect both rear tires for something stuck in the tread?

your parking brake shoes have melted and cracked. pull a rear rotor off

Are you speaking from experience ??.......... ;)

If so, did you drift a lot or did you just left your parking brake on .. ??


humfrz

I would check for something stuck in the tread like a rock or something. I had a clicking noise in my tire awhile back too. Turns it out was a palm speed stuck between the treads.

Something stuck in the tread was my first thought too, unless you checked for that already.

If the click goes away when you're coasting, it's a CV joint. If not, look elsewhere.

dog jumped into back seat and the leash was caught and yanked the parking brake lever while i was doing 80. Took about 20 sec or so to get them both in a position to undo it

And then your dog ate your homework ....... ?? ...... :D

(jest ah messen wich ya)


humfrz

The clicking noise on my car was a bad rear axle.

Clicking noise in other people's cars have been sourced to axle nut.

Torque the axle nut down first, then have dealer inspect if noise remains.

-alex