Cyclical Thumping from Right Front

[SuperSho92]

OK...as always...need some help.

Thought the SHO was done and ready for winter, but during a few test/break in days have noticed an annoying thumping noise coming from the front suspension. The noise is only audible on decel and at 30 MPH or below. Thought it was a wheel bearing - replaced bearing and hub - still there.

Not sure what it could be considering EVERYTHING - GC coil overs, konis, control arms, half shafts, wheel bearing, hub, end link, bushings, ALSAFBS, etc - is new.

Only thing I have yet to try is swapping wheels/tires...

Other than that, I am at a loss...any ideas?

 

[Slo-Sho]

How about the front strut rod to subframe bushings?

 

[SuperSho92]

New as well. And I checked all bolts - all are tight. I also swapped the rear tire to the front, but still no change. Still an audible, repetitious thump on decel below 30.

Could it be the half shafts? Or the intermediate shaft? I feel like it has to be something that rotates - axles, hubs, rotor, etc.

Incredibly annoying...still searching...

 

[hawkeye18]

if it's a thump, I would have to look at the CV axle on that side.

I have seen them fail within a few hundred miles of installation. Don't ever assume that new parts are good parts!

 

[itwonder]

Put a little pressure on the brake pedal. does the noise stop?

 

[SuperSho92]

Put a little pressure on the brake pedal. does the noise stop?

Yes, it does - not completely, but it lessens significantly - any ideas?

 

[SuperSho92]

if it's a thump, I would have to look at the CV axle on that side.

I have seen them fail within a few hundred miles of installation. Don't ever assume that new parts are good parts!

Completely agree - new does not remove guilt, but I prioritize based on age

I am honestly starting to believe it may be the axle and/or the intermediate shaft.

 

[Danz13]

my axle was knocking when it went bad, it got louder as it got worse. Jack your car up an turn the wheel by hand and check if you have a similar sound

 

[smokin joe]

The outer CV will make the clicking sound when turning, Inner CV will shake when bad but mine was only noticable at high rates of speed ie; highway. While decel under 30 if you do the old nascar tire warm up swerve does it go away/change??? Also check the carrier bearing on the intermittent shaft for wear, and also you can with the car on the ground grab a hold of the axles and see if you can push pull towards front and back of the car and see if you have any slop in your axles.

 

[SuperSho92]

Noise disappears if the wheel moves. I failed to mention that when I replaced the axles I reused the intermediate shaft.

I am starting to believe that may be the culprit...

 

[SuperSho92]

OK - I have been driving the car despite the noise and I believe this is a cv issue. In fact I am pretty sure it is the drivers side. When turning left the noise gets increasingly louder my left foot - if I turn right the sound disappears. If I do the nascar swerve (as mentioned above) the noise comes and goes...

Luckily it is a lifetime warranty part - will install the replacement this weekend and let you know how it goes...

 

[SuperSho92]

Replaced - still thumping - the search continues...

 

[SuperSho92]

And the culprit was........a bad wheel bearing. I replaced the passenger wheel bearing (as mentioned above), but as I drove the car I noticed the sound migrated to the driver side. Changed the driver side wheel bearing - and no more thumping.

You have no idea how happy I am - thanks for all of the advice!

 

[hawkeye18]

huh. Just goes to show how many different ways a wheel bearing can fail!

 

[pete315]

OK - I have been driving the car despite the noise and I believe this is a cv issue. In fact I am pretty sure it is the drivers side. When turning left the noise gets increasingly louder my left foot - if I turn right the sound disappears. If I do the nascar swerve (as mentioned above) the noise comes and goes...

Luckily it is a lifetime warranty part - will install the replacement this weekend and let you know how it goes...

I have the exact same issue. got a thumping noise that is getting worse. any slight turn to left, it gets worse. I had the wheel bearings changed 25,000 miles ago. that's why I was leaning toward a bad left axle. I wish there was a way to eliminate one or the other.

 

[JRA2000TL]

I get the same noise but mine STOPS when I turn the wheel, and it's on deceleration. Mine sounds like it's coming through the floor near the shifter or around the pedals. I jacked it up and took a look--couldn't find anything. My cv axles look pretty new too.

 

[SHOhopefull]

And here I was going to say stop aiming for squirells...

 

[pete315]

replaced left front wheel bearing, thumping all gone. nice and quiet. parts shop also pressed bearing in. he said hub looked fine, no need to replace. he showed me the bearing. it was shot.