Clunking Evo?

[2zzgtte]

Anyone who has an Evo experience clunking noises coming from underneath their car whether it be slowing down (braking), turning, or accelerating?

I started noticing this sound about 2 months ago and it was minimal. It has gotten worse as time has gone by. Now, it is a rarity that I do not hear it. The times that I hear it is:

1) When I am braking
2) When I am turning at low speeds
3) When I am braking and turning at the same time (Not sure if that was needed)
4) Hitting bumps at low speeds.

I am not sure if my Exhaust is to loud so I do not hear it any time else, but these are the times that I hear it at. Someone had a suggestions that it could be the sway bay end-link bushings going out. Last time I was under my car, there was a little witness of my downpipe hitting my cross-member. I do not think it is that though.

Any suggestions on what it could be?

[Matt D.]

Is it clunking or rattling? Rattling would be the exhaust touching something, not clunking.

Check your axles boots, and listen for it coming from a specific corner.

Does it have coilovers?

Check the driveshaft for play, up and down, side to side, and twisting it by hand with the car completely in the air (all 4 wheels off the ground with e-brake off), and check the rubber boot that is where the middle and rear sections meet.

[2zzgtte]

Is it clunking or rattling? Rattling would be the exhaust touching something, not clunking.

Check your axles boots, and listen for it coming from a specific corner.

Does it have coilovers?

Check the driveshaft for play, up and down, side to side, and twisting it by hand with the car completely in the air (all 4 wheels off the ground with e-brake off), and check the rubber boot that is where the middle and rear sections meet.


It does not sound like a rattle. It sounds like a deep, bumping sound and it seems like whatever it is, it is not hollow.

I'll check my axle's. It sounds like the front drivers side.

It does not have coilovers... It has lowering springs

Sounds good. I'll look at that too.


I did some more driving and I noticed when I turn the wheel back and fourth when the car is still (in park) it seems to make the same noise or close to the same... I am not sure if that helps.

[scheides]

Double check that the nut on top of the strut (under the little plastic cap) is snug. Kracka's came loose once or twice.

Basically just start checking everything, yank on the axles, driveshaft, crossmembers, stick a wrench on all of the nuts and bolts, make sure they're all snug.

[Matt D.]

Definitely check the nut on top of the struts. At least you've narrowed it to the front of the car.

[2zzgtte]

So, let's say it is not a loose nut or bolt. What would the worse of the problems be?

Axles/CV joints?
Wheel Bearings?
Sway bar end-links?
Ball joint?

[Matt D.]

Considering what you've described I'm willing to bet it's either a CV joint or something wrong with one of the struts.

[2zzgtte]

Sweet! i'll look into those 2 things. Thanks for the help!

[At-Least-It's-An-Evo]

Also , if you have coilovers, check the top nut that holds the top hat to the shock on to see if that is completely tight/air gun zapped. I took apart my entire suspension twice to find out thats all it was...