Bad knocking noise from front driver side.

[iguana]

When I first setoff from a stand still, there's a clunking rattle grinding knocking noise from the front drivers side. If I start to slip the clutch at a higher RPM the noise is not there. Changing gears normally makes no noise unless I change at low rpm and then it's kind of there but hard to tell. Reversing also makes the noise I think.

I have to be below 1.5k rpm as I first start to engage the clutch. I think it also makes the noise if i just roll in 1st and slowly accelerate. I'll have to experiment today to make sure that's true.

Front wheel bearings have been replaced. Belts are new. Nothing looks or feels loose. Breaking, Steering and ECS makes no difference. Lower mounts are poly and upper mounts are stock filled with resin so they're solid. CV doesn't feel loose and drivers axle carrier bearing is on tight and doesn't feel to have play. Rolling in neutral at slow speed, does not make the noise. I got my hands on everything I could this weekend and tried to find the source but nothing's obvious. Sound location is right infront of the driver.

It sounds/feels to me like it's somthing loose touching the body and engine and transfering vibration at specific load but I can't find anything that would be touching. Mounts seem the obvious but they're fine. Given the sound location, there's a ton of things it could be but i'ma leaning towards CV right now. I'll see if I can grab a recording.

Anyone had this problem? We should have a thread on all the odd noises these old cars make and what cause them.

[iguana]

anyone have any ideas?

[OhioSpyderman]

Broken (internal) strut?

(just throwing it out there....)

Bob.

[iguana]

ECS? no codes and nothing wrong with the ride.

I should add, there's two other noises, Clutch Thurst Bearing rattle that we all know about. it goes away with the clutch pedal in. there's also a background rattle that I can't pinpoint but it sounds like a quiet version of the noise when I first start to move. could be a different cause or the same thing just quiet. this happens clutch in or out and kinda sounds like it's always there when i'm driving but it's hard to say. chances are it's the same noise i'd say.

I was thinking that since the loud sound is right in front of the driver there's a limited range of options.

1. Somthing loose, possible the engine mount dropped or shifted. can't feel anything loose though. still possible.
2. Water Pump. doubtful as it should not vary a sound based on this situation unless it's low belt speed and load that causes it.
3. Crank, cam or timing belt pully but again why low rpm and load?
4. wheel hub Bearing. just replaced and made no diference.
5. AC, Alternator, power steering. AC on or off does not vary the sound. turning does not vary the sound.
6. Oil pump. Pressure dial seems fine.
7. CV or driver carier bearing. why the quiet noise when I'm not moving? could be two noises.
8. or it's not in front of the driver and just sounds like it is... tranny about to die? i doubt it

I'm leaning more towards 7, but anyone have any thoughts?

[wraith]

Do you have the heat shield on rhe rear firewall intercooler hard pipe binding on the vacuum hardline on the firewall?

[iguana]

Nope nothing touching back there. I just looked. good suggestion. i think if that was where the noise was it would sound more like it was in the dash. i had the two heat shields on the rear turbo bibrate at high revs a long time ago after getting the car back from the dealer. made a buzz noise and it sounded like it was behind teh speedo. The louder knock when i start to move sounds like it's from lower down and near the wheel or in front of the engine. Hence why i thought it was teh wheel hub. Hub bearing was way worn so it needed replacing but it didn't change teh sound at all. Does make my alignment better though.

If it turns out ot be something bumping or touching then i'll find it. Eventually. what wories me is if there's a failure coming on a bearing or something that's going to be expensive once it fails. I really wish we had a noise thread helping to identify known sounds and faults.

[iguana]

I still haven't figured this out. anyone have ideas?

[i-am-furlong]

sounds like a bad strut

[iguana]

Originally Posted by i-am-furlong

sounds like a bad strut

How can i pinpoint if it's the strut? turning and the speed i'm moving at don't seem to make a difference which i'd expect if it's suspension or drivetrain.