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View Full Version : Suspension Clanking sound from rear left wheel area



tyb323
05-30-2011, 05:43 PM
Hey guys. Just today my car started making a sort of clank noise when maneuvering around parking lots. It only happens if I'm turning left at parking lot speeds. It just clanks once and then goes away until I make my next left turn. Thoughts?

DeloreanJoshQ
05-30-2011, 05:45 PM
What is the condition of your trailing arm bolts and bushings?

tyb323
05-30-2011, 05:46 PM
What is the condition of your trailing arm bolts and bushings?

Of this, I am not certain. Nor do I have the means to inspect them for myself.

DeloreanJoshQ
05-30-2011, 05:51 PM
Of this, I am not certain. Nor do I have the means to inspect them for myself.

Can you get the back of the car in the air safely and take the trailing arm shields off? Also check everything else while you are underneath?
If not, you will have to take it to a mechanic to get your answer....

David T
05-30-2011, 05:58 PM
It is VERY important you have the rear suspension inspected IMMEDIATELY. If you have a problem with the TABs (Trailing Arm Bolts) it can be very dangerous to continue driving the car. The clunk can also be a bad C/V joint and that should also be fixed soon. Also check the lugnuts that they are torqued properly.
David Teitelbaum

jmettee
05-31-2011, 09:18 AM
Tyler: either TABs or your axle CV joint. I know 1 of your CV boots were torn...would be the joint clanking from all the grease disappearing or drying up.

Farrar
05-31-2011, 10:42 AM
I had this sound after driving with a torn CV boot for a while. I'd make sure your boots are OK while you're down there.

Farrar

Jacko
05-31-2011, 11:25 AM
You also could check all the body-to-frame bolts. I had a clunk back there due to these bolts needing re-torquing ... there are 10 of them.

tyb323
05-31-2011, 08:59 PM
Thank you all for advice. Dave, I've taken the car temporarily out of service. I'm meeting with a local guy on thursday to troubleshoot the problem, TABs are going to be the first place to check.
Justin: I had 3 needing replacing, will also check those.
As for body-frame bolts, it doesn't sound like a fiberglass-originated noise, but I will still look into it just to be on the safe side

tyb323
06-02-2011, 10:21 PM
Toby Tabs, double nutted with all shims intact

DMC3165
06-03-2011, 02:24 PM
Aside from the Tabs or the drive axle (which would've been my first guess as well) its possible it could be in your final drive. Hopefully not but best to get it checked anyway. Any competent mechanic or transmission shop should be able to help you if you can't get to a DeLorean specialist.

tyb323
06-05-2011, 02:05 PM
Am I safe to drive on a drive axle that is clanking when I'm maneuvering around a parking lot? As in can I drive from CT to central jersey to have a friend take a look?

DMC3165
06-28-2011, 11:39 AM
Hey what ever happened with this? I have a similar issue now and was told by Rob Grady not to drive it until he could look at it. On a visual inspection i can't see anything wrong.

jmrydholm
06-28-2011, 12:05 PM
One of my friends did my TAB bolts too. I'm glad of that as my fiancee busted her Toyota Corolla's rear control arm just this Saturday! Not a fun experience. Thank God the wheel didn't fly off, we were in a slow, 15mph residential zone.

I got my "Toby TAB" bolts from DMC parts Northwest and they're great.

tyb323
06-28-2011, 06:19 PM
Here's the update. I have replaced my three torn axle boots, cleaned out the axles, regreased, etc. However, it appears my axle is loose on the passenger side where it connects to the transmission (auto trans). We are going to try to patch this saturday when I head south. The clanking subsided a bit when we replaced the boots, but it still does it occasionally, and im feeling a vibration at highway speeds. For now, that's all I got. She still clanks occasionally, hopefully we can just shut it up once and for all on saturday...

DMC3165
06-28-2011, 08:03 PM
I think my "clunk" mat be TABS related. I dropped it off at Grady's this evening, now I just have to keep my fingers crossed it isn't a fiasco under there.

David T
06-29-2011, 10:22 AM
The clunk should not be caused by the final drive if you only notice the clunk when turning to one side. That said, I would certainly check the fluid level in the transmission just because you are under the car and working in that area. When working on noise complaints you go in looking for some obvious things but always checking everything because you never know exactly what's making the noise till you find it! For instance you could have a broken mounting bracket for something. You might even see other things that, although they are not making noise, need fixing too! Torn C/V boots should always be replaced quickly to avoid having to replace the joints. If one is bad you should just figure on doing at least both on the half-shaft. If they are all the same age, old, then they should all be done.
David Teitelbaum

vwdmc16
06-29-2011, 05:47 PM
I also have a pronounced cluck, its very metallic clicky. im 99% certain its the rear bearings in the hubs, its not bad bearings just loose in the hub and moving maybe .050" or so and hitting the circlip.
the passenger side was bad when i bought my car and ive pressed in a new one, but it still makes noise, less than the other side however. the fix is adding a steel shim between the bearing and circlip to stop the side to side play.

David T
06-29-2011, 10:49 PM
When you are under the car you should grab the half-shaft and try sliding it. It should move a little. In fact, it has to as the rear suspension goes up and down. If it is hard to slide then that can be the source of the clunk when it does finally move. Easy fix as you clean and lubricate the C/V joints. Other possibilities, loose brake parts, loose shocks, loose whatever.
David Teitelbaum

DeLorean03
06-23-2012, 03:23 AM
I know, I know - holy "Raising the old thread" comment here - but did you get this resolved? I have the exact same identical situation, and I was curious what it ended up being. I'm checking rear-bearings, inner drive shaft (CV joints) bolts, and the middle hub nut to make sure it's tight - all when I wake up later today.

ramblinmike
06-23-2012, 03:34 AM
I've got the same issue here as well. It's done it since I got the car. I've never been able to find it. It sounds like a 'pop' when turning at low speeds. It behaves a little differently on my car. I turn right and hear the pop. It won't do it again until I turn left. If I keep alternating between turning one direction and then going straight I'll only hear it the first time. Been doing it for 8 years and 25,000+ miles. I checked my tabs and I don't see anything obviously wrong there. I too would like to know what ever came of this.

tyb323
06-23-2012, 08:45 AM
Unfortunately nothing has come of this so far. My mechanic has gone through the rear end with a fine toothed comb and we still havent found the cause. Do you guys have automatics or manuals?

MML
06-23-2012, 09:20 AM
I've got the same issue here as well. It's done it since I got the car. I've never been able to find it. It sounds like a 'pop' when turning at low speeds. It behaves a little differently on my car. I turn right and hear the pop. It won't do it again until I turn left. If I keep alternating between turning one direction and then going straight I'll only hear it the first time. Been doing it for 8 years and 25,000+ miles. I checked my tabs and I don't see anything obviously wrong there. I too would like to know what ever came of this.

I've noticed the exact same thing recently. Only when turning right.
My tab bolts are only a few months old though, so hopefully it's not those.

Spittybug
06-23-2012, 09:35 AM
Are you guys positive it is coming from the rear? Turning hard right (like into a driveway) can stretch the angle drive cable which gives a clanking type of noise that may be difficult to identify.

ramblinmike
06-23-2012, 09:46 AM
Unfortunately nothing has come of this so far. My mechanic has gone through the rear end with a fine toothed comb and we still havent found the cause. Do you guys have automatics or manuals?

Manual here.

ramblinmike
06-23-2012, 09:48 AM
Are you guys positive it is coming from the rear? Turning hard right (like into a driveway) can stretch the angle drive cable which gives a clanking type of noise that may be difficult to identify.

I really doubt it's from the front. It is a noticeable pop/clunk that you can feel. I'd swear it's from the rear.

DMCMW Dave
06-23-2012, 11:06 AM
It is usually the rear wheel bearing shifting in the carrier. This is why you will hear it on, say, a left turn, but not again until you make a right turn and it shifts back. Apparently there is a tolerance issue in the machining of the hub carrier.

Many fixes have been tried over the years, including just replacing the bearing (sometimes works for a while), putting a paper-thin steel shim between the bearing and the C-clip (works but hard to do, and the shim is not a consistent size), locking the bearing in with Locktite (works for a while).

ramblinmike
06-23-2012, 11:36 AM
It is usually the rear wheel bearing shifting in the carrier. This is why you will hear it on, say, a left turn, but not again until you make a right turn and it shifts back. Apparently there is a tolerance issue in the machining of the hub carrier.

Many fixes have been tried over the years, including just replacing the bearing (sometimes works for a while), putting a paper-thin steel shim between the bearing and the C-clip (works but hard to do, and the shim is not a consistent size), locking the bearing in with Locktite (works for a while).

I was at Marty Maier's house for a local club gathering probably 4 years ago. I was backing my car into his garage and it popped as my car crossed the bump from the driveway into his garage. I remember him mentioning the 'Delorean clunk' as I was backing up. He seemed to dismiss it as one of those, 'Yeah, they do that' things. That's the main reason I've continued to drive it as is. Marty knows his stuff. I have tried to get the sound to happen with the rear of the car raised by pulling/pushing on the wheels. I've never been able to get a sound with just muscling it around.

DeLorean03
06-23-2012, 12:57 PM
It is usually the rear wheel bearing shifting in the carrier. This is why you will hear it on, say, a left turn, but not again until you make a right turn and it shifts back. Apparently there is a tolerance issue in the machining of the hub carrier.

Many fixes have been tried over the years, including just replacing the bearing (sometimes works for a while), putting a paper-thin steel shim between the bearing and the C-clip (works but hard to do, and the shim is not a consistent size), locking the bearing in with Locktite (works for a while).

Hey Dave,

I have a brand new set of rear wheel bearings here at the house. Thing is, I don't have a press. Is this one of those things you can get the hub off and have a shop worth its salt do? Or is this something best left to those helping each other in the DeLorean community ?

DMC5180
06-23-2012, 01:36 PM
My car clunks like this every time I back out of drive way with steer turned to the right. Its the RR hub clunking. It doesn't hurt anything, just a nuisance.

It's not a DMC special process like adjusting doors. Any shop or Parts store with a press can do the swap. Just take the hub carrier assembly to them. As long as you have the new bearing you will be fine. The old one WILL come apart in pieces when the inner shaft is pushed out. I would suggest you have the shop install the new bearing with bearing race retainer loctite. (Outer diameter only) It may only be temporary but its easy to do at the time.

DMCMW Dave
06-23-2012, 01:40 PM
If you pull the hub carrier a good shop with a press can do it. We do it on the car but we have some tools we use that are made up for the purpose. The old one can be tricky to get out, and the new one has to be pressed in on the outer race or you will tear up the new bearing. Someone familar with the same job on BMWs would be able to do it as they would likely have the tool.

tyb323
06-24-2012, 12:22 AM
I guess the mysterious delorean clunk is solved, cool beans. Will this cause damage or is it just a nuisance?

DMC5180
06-24-2012, 10:00 AM
I guess the mysterious delorean clunk is solved, cool beans. Will this cause damage or is it just a nuisance?


It's mainly a nuisance. I've put about 70K on my car during my ownership. It's always done it. Typically you only here it when backing up. The rear wheel toe-in and camber tends to drive the wheels inward when driving forward. When backing up the opposite is true and sometimes the bearing will shift outward (clunk).

MML
06-24-2012, 05:00 PM
Was just out in the car this evening, and had the clunking start several times while driving along (i.e. in a straight line). I found that lightly applying the brake caused the clunking to stop. What might be happening there?

David T
06-24-2012, 05:24 PM
Loose lug nuts, bad C/V joints, or loose bolts on the half-shafts. This should be investigated immediately, the consequences could be dangerous.
David Teitelbaum




Was just out in the car this evening, and had the clunking start several times while driving along (i.e. in a straight line). I found that lightly applying the brake caused the clunking to stop. What might be happening there?

DMCMW Dave
06-24-2012, 06:59 PM
Was just out in the car this evening, and had the clunking start several times while driving along (i.e. in a straight line). I found that lightly applying the brake caused the clunking to stop. What might be happening there?

Last 2 cars I heard this complaint were missing lug nuts and the rest were loose. On one the wheel fell off.

DMC5180
06-24-2012, 08:02 PM
Last 2 cars I heard this complaint were missing lug nuts and the rest were loose. On one the wheel fell off.

:ohcrap: NOT GOOD

Dangermouse
06-24-2012, 11:41 PM
I'm worried that he hasn't posted back......

DeLorean03
06-25-2012, 01:21 AM
It is usually the rear wheel bearing shifting in the carrier. This is why you will hear it on, say, a left turn, but not again until you make a right turn and it shifts back. Apparently there is a tolerance issue in the machining of the hub carrier.


One last question for you, Dave. My noise sounds nearly identical to 0:03-0:04 and 0:09-0:10 from this clip:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUISlNv_Ieo&feature=player_embedded

It sounds nearly just like it, it's rotational and the number of times I hear it has a direct relationship with the speed at which I turn. Turn left faster = hear the noise more times. I only get the noise turning left, and it happens every single time I turn left. I cannot hear it outside the car as I had Jessica drive the car and turn left with me standing outside the car and I did not hear ANYTHING as she turned left by me. To me, it's not a pop; it's more of a "knock" or a "clunk." These words are very subjective, I know. That's why I included the video because it is VERY close to the sound I am hearing.

Nick Roedl pretty much slammed the door on this one, and I'm 99% sure it's the rear-wheel bearing on the passenger side; I just wanted your thoughts on it.

MML
06-25-2012, 09:11 AM
Loose lug nuts, bad C/V joints, or loose bolts on the half-shafts. This should be investigated immediately, the consequences could be dangerous.
David Teitelbaum

Yikes! Consider me well and truly warned!
I don't think it's loose wheel nuts, they were all replaced with new ones and retightened just the other day.

I was going to drive to work in it this morning, needless to say I left it in the garage!
Will get the other things checked asap!

DeLorean03
07-04-2012, 03:08 AM
Just got home from Cliff's shop. It was my rear wheel bearings. So glad that's fixed!

Man, it was a thorough job. I'll just say it - you do NOT want to do this without air tools and a lift. Took us about 3.5 hours with a lift, air tools from hell, and Cliff has some very specialized tools and methods to do this job. This would definitely be a good couple days work without air tools.

DeLorean03
07-05-2012, 01:18 AM
Ok, I lied. It wasn't the rear bearings. It looks to be the shocks.....

MML
07-12-2012, 07:07 PM
Just wanted to bump this up to the top again... after some investigation into the rattle it was found that the little clips in the photo were missing from the rear passenger side brake caliper and the pads were moving about.
Anyone know where I might get replacements?

http://i.imgur.com/AFekT.jpg

tyb323
07-22-2012, 01:00 PM
Just wanted to bump this up to the top again... after some investigation into the rattle it was found that the little clips in the photo were missing from the rear passenger side brake caliper and the pads were moving about.
Anyone know where I might get replacements?

http://i.imgur.com/AFekT.jpg

Give the vendors a call? See if anyone has them lying around. At least you figured out what your rattle is!

MML
07-23-2012, 06:35 PM
Give the vendors a call? See if anyone has them lying around. At least you figured out what your rattle is!

Hi Tyler, yeah it was the cause of some head scratching for a while! I asked around, and also gave Ed at DMC-EU a shout, but the consensus is that it's not an original feature, so it must have been done by a previous owner. We've put push springs on in place of the clips so there's no danger of them falling off any more!