Exited a steep parking lot-noise

[steveholt]

I have gone over plenty of potholes and steep parking lots on my stock wheels/tires and it's always made the normal expected thunk bump sound.

I run a square set of 18x8.5 on 245x35x18 on all stock suspension now.

Anyways, today I was exiting a gas station parking lot and didn't see that it was a bit of a steep bump and decline to get out. I was in 1st gear going about 7-10mph when I realized it was too late. The sound I heard can only be described as a metallic, springy, clunk sound. This was just on my driver side front wheel/tire which caused me to immediately slow down all the way to prevent it from occurring on the rest

There was no scraping noise from what I recall but maybe the sound my wheel/tire made overwhelmed me and caused me to ignore any type of a scrape noise if it were present?

My question is, is sound like this normal when on larger than oem wheels and tires? Did I bottom out and hit the top fender in the wheel well? Was the metallic springy thunk sound just the suspension springs compressing all the way then decompressing instantly?

I'm probably overreacting but this is the nicest car I've ever owned and I'm overly concerned about it comparable to a parent and a newborn

[steveholt]

Or maybe even the impact of everything compressing and smashing the tire into the wheel? Isn't this what causes flats and rim damage?

[ryoma]

did you take a look at your wheels? just visually inspect everything to make sure it's all intact and you should be able to go on your way. look under the car too and check the tie rods, end links, hub, etc just to be on the safe side. also pay attention the next time you drive it to see if there's anything out of the ordinary, such as drifting off to one side while the wheel is straight, numb on center feel, wheel shake, etc

[steveholt]

Originally Posted by ryoma

did you take a look at your wheels? just visually inspect everything to make sure it's all intact and you should be able to go on your way. look under the car too and check the tie rods, end links, hub, etc just to be on the safe side. also pay attention the next time you drive it to see if there's anything out of the ordinary, such as drifting off to one side while the wheel is straight, numb on center feel, wheel shake, etc

Thanks, I will certainly do that.

I haven't had a chance to inspect anything because I was on my way to work, when I'm off I am going to look over everything being mindful of all the things you mentioned

Hopefully it's nothing since I wasn't going too fast, maybe 10mph at most

[ryoma]

yeah, I doubt it's really anything since you said it wasn't a big dip. however, it wouldn't hurt to just double check everything.

[steveholt]

Going to the tire shop tomorrow for a checkup, hopefully everything is going to be ok, I've only been in my new wheel tire setup for literally one day when this happened

[mav1178]

If you were turning, most likely the sound is of your front springs moving around in the strut spring perch.

Nothing to worry about.

-alex

[steveholt]

so i went back to the scene of the incident at the gas station after work a short while ago.

and it turns out on the exit of the gas station parking lot there are two semi-loose sewer grates!! the cause of the unsettling strange metallic noise was because of the stupid loose sewer grates shifting/clanking when my tires went over them!

crisis averted... i overreacted as i thought.

LOL

[ryoma]

lol worried over nothing gotta love it