My 2003 cavalier, with a 5 speed manual, has been making a clunking noise for about a month now and I'm having some trouble figuring out exactly what is causing it. The clunking only occurs when the car is coasting. Meaning when the car is in gear but off the gas. Stepping on the gas causes the clunking to go away. Pushing the clutch in also causes the clunking to stop. The clunking will happen in gears 1 through 5. I don't know if this is related but there is also a popping noise on slow sharp turns while stepping on the gas. The entire front suspension of the vehicle has been recently replaced ( cv shafts, hubs, rack and pinion, control arms). Any help is appreciated!
Where does it sound like the clunking noise is coming from? Front or rear of vehicle? I have the same sound on my 2000 cavy. it comes from the back of my car.
Is need more info. Strut mount would be good to check.
You should get it on a lift and see what's going on underneath.
The noise is coming from the front of the car. The struts and upper strut mounts have recently been replaced. The frequency of the clunking is more related to the engine rpm then the speed. It's just odd that it only occur. when the car is gear and coasting. If the car is in neutral or when i'm on the gas, the noise goes away.
I checked out the trans mount and the rubber is cracking. Just out of curiosity, how could that cause the noise.
Thanks for the responses.
i was having the same issue and found out it was my control arm bushings and ball joint its cheap fix i think 20 for the bushings and 15 for the ball joint or 75 for a new arm with ball joint and bushings. i hope this gives you any help man.
Upper or lower motor mount. Push the motor with your hand towards the firewall if it moves real easy then you might have a bad upper or lower motor mount
Replaced the lower engine mount on the passenger side today. Noise is still there, almost seems like it may have gotten somewhat worse.
Transmission mount maybe?
You said your tranny mount was cracked? That needs to be replaced.
The transmission mount would be a good next step. How loud is the clunking noise? If there is an inspection hole where the flywheel is Id go ahead and check the flywheel and pressure plate out and make sure neither is cracked as that can cause a metallic "tingy" sound. just some food for thought there.
I'm looking into replacing the transmission mounts. It looks like the rubber inserts can be replaced by popping the old ones out and putting new ones in. Does anybody have any advise on replacing them.It looks the the windshield washer fluid reservoir needs to be removed to get access to the front mount. Other then that it seems basic. Hope I'm right.
Pull the speed sensor from the transmission and look at it to see if its covered in shavings. If so, its probably an internal issue, if not, then thats 1 more thing eliminated.
"Oil Leak ? What oil Leak ? Oh, Thats Just The Sweat From All The HorsePower!!"
You can pop the old ones out and replace them with a solid or poly mount...never did replace one with a stocker
