Checking in with a long-shot question

[grandprix104]

Well had some extra time today so i thought id check in. Kudos on the FAQ post in the general forum! Good stuff. Anyhoo, My red demon is making some very disturbing noises lately. Lots of clunking turning to rattling coming from the (right?) side of the engine compartment. At first i thought it was the AC clutch/compressor but it checks out good. May be coming from the tranny but it only has 35,000 miles on it and clean fuid. it occurs most often when letting off hard accelleration, power braking and releasing the gas pedal, and sometimes idling. It sounds mechanical but i am clueless as to what could be causing it.

 

any ideas of obsure possibilities?

[pitzel]

Mudflaps (if installed) secured properly?

 

That was the source of my most recent weird thunking noise.

 

Another weird clunking noise I had was with respect to my driver-side brake pad. A retaining clip was broken on the outer pad, so when I applied the brakes, there was a clunk noise. New pads fixed the problem.

 

CV joints? But those shouldn't even be able to make noise at idle. Crap in the glove compartment? Half-dead body in the trunk itching to get out?

 

edit: Just thought of another possibility. Sure its not exhaust-related? I had some really nasty clunking from my exhaust system when my idle was set too low before I idle re-learned the car after doing some work on the throttle body.

[Guest TurboSedan]

could it be a bad strut? one of the front struts on my Cutlass started making clunking noises when the car's weight would shift forward or back. like if i started rolling up (or down) hill and then stepped on the brake it would make a clunking sound. i thought it was the transmission at first and then realized it was doing it in neutral as well.

 

i've also had a front wheel bearing/hub assembly make bad clunking noises, but it would only make the noise at slow speed when hitting bumps.

 

good luck.

[Regal_GS_1989]

two items to check.

1. upper strut mount bushing. You will most likely hear a slight clunk whenever you hit a bump.

2. Are all your cables under you hood secured properly? My 89 regal doesn't have the clip that holds the throttle cable close to the motor. So when ever the car comes to idle, it wil make a rattling noise under the hood.

 

Just some Food for Thought.

[grandprix104]

I have really bad struts so ill check them out but this clunk will happen repetitively as it fades off like dropping small rocks in a rubber trash can... its really hard to describe.

 

cv axles are in good condition as per the mechanic - just had them looked at and i checked them aswell.

 

thanks for the ideas keep em coming if you think of more.

[DaveFromColorado]

okay, not sure 'bout while ideling - but one of the common problems in the trans is the output/differental lubrication tube on it (I'm assuming you have an automatic)

 

the tube will often become unlocked/dislodged because the clip either gets broken, or falls out ...

 

Here are some pics of the clip and how it is installed. The first thing you need to do is to remove the pan AND filter then remove the metal tube from the rubber hose. Only remove the side which is supposed to have the clip on it.

 

This is the clip.

 

 

This is how the clip goes into the case.

 

 

This is how the clip goes on to the tube. Notice the washer that goes between the clip and tube flare. This washer MUST be between the clip and tube flare or the clip will not hold the tube into the case.

 

 

Thats it, real easy. Just install the clip onto the tube as shown then install the tube into the hose first, then wiggle the tube into the case. After that you just push one end of the clip into the case first then squeeze the clip to push the other end into the case. I'm sending the clip to you.

 

Let us know how it turns out.

 

--Dave.

[grandprix104]

well i needed to do a tranny service soon anyway I guess ill check it out.