Car Question - by Arislyn on 17:01 10 Mar 2003
Yes, yet again I am having automotive quandries. I was wonedring if anyone may have an idea as to what may be causing my latest reason for concern.
For the past 4 days or so, my rear right tire has been making a noise that I would normally associate with having a piece of gravel stuck in the tread. Sort of a "thump-thump-thump* when I drive. There is just sound - no vibration involved. However, I have checked for any foreign objets in all of my tires (in case my ear is being fooled) and found nothing.
Now, what has me baffled is the fact that the sound is not consistant. Meaning that when I start driving it doesn't start and keep going until I stop. Rather, it will start for awhile then stop and start up again throughout the drive. It doesn't seem to be associated with how fast I am going. Nor do the brakes seem to be involved. If I apply the brakes, it doesn't affect anything and there is no vibration. I also tried to pay attention to see if it varied according to when I am turning or going straight, but that doesn't seem to be a factor, either. Sometimes it will thump when I turn, other times it doesn't.
I drive a 1980 Chevy Malibu. Anybody have any ideas?
Yes, yet again I am having automotive quandries. I was wonedring if anyone may have an idea as to what may be causing my latest reason for concern.
For the past 4 days or so, my rear right tire has been making a noise that I would normally associate with having a piece of gravel stuck in the tread. Sort of a "thump-thump-thump* when I drive. There is just sound - no vibration involved. However, I have checked for any foreign objets in all of my tires (in case my ear is being fooled) and found nothing.
Now, what has me baffled is the fact that the sound is not consistant. Meaning that when I start driving it doesn't start and keep going until I stop. Rather, it will start for awhile then stop and start up again throughout the drive. It doesn't seem to be associated with how fast I am going. Nor do the brakes seem to be involved. If I apply the brakes, it doesn't affect anything and there is no vibration. I also tried to pay attention to see if it varied according to when I am turning or going straight, but that doesn't seem to be a factor, either. Sometimes it will thump when I turn, other times it doesn't.
I drive a 1980 Chevy Malibu. Anybody have any ideas?
Car Question - by din on 17:21 10 Mar 2003
any rattle involved? sometime gravel can get inside the rim. .. any scraping / grinding noise might be the bearing .. i think the last time i had a bearing go there was a intermitant rythmic noise .. then a lot of grinding ..
does the thumping speed up as the car does . the faster you go the faster the thumping? .. it could even be a loose widget in the brake drum.
any rattle involved? sometime gravel can get inside the rim. .. any scraping / grinding noise might be the bearing .. i think the last time i had a bearing go there was a intermitant rythmic noise .. then a lot of grinding ..
does the thumping speed up as the car does . the faster you go the faster the thumping? .. it could even be a loose widget in the brake drum.
Car Question - by Brad on 18:12 10 Mar 2003
Shocks okay?
Shocks okay?
Car Question - by Haruchai on 00:02 11 Mar 2003
Any of these could be the cause of the noise:
-wheel bearing (doubtful, but possible, imo)
-loose brake part (as mentioned above)
-piece of gravel or some other object inside the tire/rim.
More than likely, the bottom part of the valve stem has
popped off. (this was mentioned above as well)
Most of the problems it could be would require taking it to someone who could then pop the tire off the rim, and inspect inside the tire itself. While doing so, it will be very easy to check the brakes (most places do this for free), and the bearings (usually free as well).
You could also have them check to make sure that all of your lug nuts are torqued to the proper specs.
Any of these could be the cause of the noise:
-wheel bearing (doubtful, but possible, imo)
-loose brake part (as mentioned above)
-piece of gravel or some other object inside the tire/rim.
More than likely, the bottom part of the valve stem has
popped off. (this was mentioned above as well)
Most of the problems it could be would require taking it to someone who could then pop the tire off the rim, and inspect inside the tire itself. While doing so, it will be very easy to check the brakes (most places do this for free), and the bearings (usually free as well).
You could also have them check to make sure that all of your lug nuts are torqued to the proper specs.
Car Question - by din on 00:42 11 Mar 2003
and lest we forget .. gremlins, demonic possession or malicious haunting, which would require an entirely different set of diagnostic proceedures and fixes.
and lest we forget .. gremlins, demonic possession or malicious haunting, which would require an entirely different set of diagnostic proceedures and fixes.
Car Question - by Arislyn on 07:36 11 Mar 2003
I think din has hit the nail on the head. I mean....come on. Let's look at my track record. I've lost two cars to electrical fires and had the engine literally fall out of a third.
Demonic possession. It can be the only explanation.
Woot! Time to get the priestly vestaments out of the closet and see what I can do.
*chuckles*
Seriously, though, thanks for the suggestions, guys. I'll probably take it in to the shop this weekend and let someone look at it. I just wanted to get an opinion about it to make sure that it was probably nothing major that would cause my car to burst into a firey column of doom while hurtling down I40 later today.
I think din has hit the nail on the head. I mean....come on. Let's look at my track record. I've lost two cars to electrical fires and had the engine literally fall out of a third.
Demonic possession. It can be the only explanation.
Woot! Time to get the priestly vestaments out of the closet and see what I can do.
*chuckles*
Seriously, though, thanks for the suggestions, guys. I'll probably take it in to the shop this weekend and let someone look at it. I just wanted to get an opinion about it to make sure that it was probably nothing major that would cause my car to burst into a firey column of doom while hurtling down I40 later today.
Car Question - by Brad on 11:23 11 Mar 2003
Ooo, firey column of doom could be fun.
Ooo, firey column of doom could be fun.
Car Question - by Haruchai on 11:37 11 Mar 2003
Eh. Fluffy can do that without having you hurtle down I40 if you want.
She's so handy.... *pet-pet*
Eh. Fluffy can do that without having you hurtle down I40 if you want.
She's so handy.... *pet-pet*
Car Question - by Emperor TAR-1 on 22:38 11 Mar 2003
Having run a junkyar... EXCUUUUUUSE ME! auto salvage yard for four years, I could offer the suggestion that you check the axle (rear-wheel drive) bearings or rear spindle (front wheel drive) bearings. I've heard a chipped bearing making sounds very much like that. If that's the problem, it's generally not serious unless left too long. It can cause the axle/drum to freeze, which is no fun if you're stopped at a light in traffic and suddenly can't get the ^*$^#$!!! thing to move!
Having run a junkyar... EXCUUUUUUSE ME! auto salvage yard for four years, I could offer the suggestion that you check the axle (rear-wheel drive) bearings or rear spindle (front wheel drive) bearings. I've heard a chipped bearing making sounds very much like that. If that's the problem, it's generally not serious unless left too long. It can cause the axle/drum to freeze, which is no fun if you're stopped at a light in traffic and suddenly can't get the ^*$^#$!!! thing to move!