Clank coming onto driveway
 

Alright guys, its about time I post a thread. Unfortunately it is because I feel I need some help from someone who knows these cars before I go to a mechanic.

Just coming home from work I roll onto my driveway, but as I get over the hump I hear a loud CLANK. Thinking this might be a one time thing I reversed and re-entered my driveway, CLANK. Did a quick lap around the street, no noises when driving, just a clank when i get over the hump of my driveway. Also I guess I should mention I enter my driveway on an angle.

I vaguely remember seeing a post with another member having a similar issue but I can't seem to find it. I'll continue looking for it after I post this but if not I'm wondering what could be making that sound and if I should not drive the car until I get it sorted out (currently do not have pics of anything, can get some if requested). All help is appreciated.

EDIT: I should note it was coming from the front left side.

Are you on aftermarket LCA's?

I have to awkwardly drive small hill at an angle in my parking lot. I once heard a loud "clank" doing so. It definitely did not feel like I hit the ground, and to this day I have no idea what caused it. :iono:

No, my suspension is all stock.

@cat94 Has the noise ever repeated itself? or just the one time?

Only once. I made sure that I didn't run over any cans or anything too. It almost sounded like something under tension suddenly uncompressed and hit something?? I don't think I'll be able to help much in diagnosing your issue =/

It could be a lose rear axle nut, if so, tighten it.

It could be a rear axle universal going bad, inspect it to see if its leaking around the boot.

That's all the guesses I have now.

humfrz

You might want to make a video of it so we can get a better description. I'm guessing you are angling the car to make a left into your drive way? If so then depending on your angle of attack, it might have just decompress the rear left suspension fast enough to make a noise. Try entering your driveway the other way (I.E entering as a right turn rather than left, vice versa) and see if the noise occurs on the other side.

Thank you for your replies! I had to leave for work early today so I will put my mechanic hat on right when I get home.
@Bach415 Yes I angle to get onto my driveway. Ill try to get a video of the sound/scenario of the clank when I get home and post it.

No sound when I was reversing out of my driveway, or any different sounds while driving, so I guess that's good.

Alright! Finally able to update a little. So after jacking the front up and removing the tires I noticed this.

(This one is front left)
Attachment 152265

This is in comparison with the other side(ultra lens flare, I did not notice before I put the wheels back on)


(This one is front right)
Attachment 152264

Everything else on each side looked relatively similar, the ball joints look drastically different. I'm a bit nervous to take it on the road after this little inspection.

Sorry, I have no idea of what I'm looking at ..... ??


humfrz

Looks like the tie rod bushings in the front.

My apologies.
Front left
Attachment 152269
Front right
Attachment 152270

Close ups of the ball joint, nothing else seemed out of place.

If you can't feel any excessive play in the ball joint, I'd suggest you look elsewhere.

Are you sure the sound is coming from the front ......and not the back .. ??

I have to enter my driveway at an angle also ...... and I don't hear any clank, so, I reckon that sound isn't "normal".

However, if I don't hit the driveway at exactly a 45 degree angle, I do get a sickening "crunch" sound ...... as the exhaust mid pipe scrapes .....:mad0259:

I'd suggest you have someone stand outside the car, while you enter the driveway, while your car is making that clank sound, and see if they can help isolate where the sound is coming from.


humfrz

Not saying this is the problem, but your right side is missing the cotter pin on the castle nut, it must have been taken apart before. Could it be that this car may have had a problem previous of your purchase and it may have came back? Maybe it wasn't repaired completely/properly?

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