I have a 90 Sunbird.... and every time I brake or accelerate (at lower speeds), there is a knocking sound coming from the front of the car. It's a bit hard to find out where exactly it is coming from (still working on that) but does anyone have any suggestions on what it might be? I know it's a big vague....
*~*Andrea*~*
sounds like a cv joint, but check out all the front end components,
From your description, I'd have to agree with Josh. Hope it's not a bearing knock, but most likely cv joint popping
Ok cool I'll have to check it out this weekend. I was just hoping it was nothing to do with the engine...because i just got new headgasket and cylinder head.
Christopher, bearing knock as in wheel bearing? Because they said the wheel bearings were going bad too...didn't know if they made a knocking or squeaking sound..but thanks all
*~*Andrea*~*
it could also be your struts knocking if they aren't torqued down properly...or tie rod ends(if Js have them).
R.I.P. Brian St.Germain
Buy my iBook!
My escort did the exact same thing and it was the inner tie rod joint that was worn out and I ended up buying a new rack and pinion for $100.00. Just a thought, but it could be any of the things listed above unfortunately.
I meant bearing knock as in rod/main bearings in the engine. When bearing get worn down and the clearance is too large, the layer of oil that the crankshaft and connecting rods actually move on isn't there, and the result is a nasty knocking sound from the parts kind of smacking the bearings. Also this will happen when low on oil. Hopefully that's not the problem, but most likely is CV joint. Mine is popping at the moment too, driver side front.
hummm.....thanks everyone for your input! hopefully its just a cv joint. because my engine was just worked on!
if it was the rod/main bearings in the engine, wouldn't it be making the noise all the time rather than just at low speeds, like it does now?
*~*Andrea*~*
mike crawford wrote:My escort did the exact same thing and it was the inner tie rod joint that was worn out and I ended up buying a new rack and pinion for $100.00. Just a thought, but it could be any of the things listed above unfortunately.
bad tie rod ends wouldn't lead to getting a new rack and pinion...
R.I.P. Brian St.Germain
Buy my iBook!
lilbit01 wrote:mike crawford wrote:My escort did the exact same thing and it was the inner tie rod joint that was worn out and I ended up buying a new rack and pinion for $100.00. Just a thought, but it could be any of the things listed above unfortunately.
bad tie rod ends wouldn't lead to getting a new rack and pinion...
It would if you found a rack w/ tie rod ends in the junk yard cheaper than you can get new tie rod ends...
Does it knock louder when you go around a tight corner?
IF you put the car in park and rev up the motor a bit does it knock then? and if it does, does the knock speed up with the engine or remain constant? Does it get louder/quieter as the engine speeds up?
If it doesn't knock in park then:
As your speed increases does the knock speed up the same amount? or does the knock maintain a constant pace no matter what speed you're going? and is the knocking consistent (ie loudness, pace etc)?
1990 Pontiac Sunbird GT turbo
-TGP turbo
-DSM SMIC turned TMIC
-Injectors
Aaron Dowdell wrote:lilbit01 wrote:mike crawford wrote:My escort did the exact same thing and it was the inner tie rod joint that was worn out and I ended up buying a new rack and pinion for $100.00. Just a thought, but it could be any of the things listed above unfortunately.
bad tie rod ends wouldn't lead to getting a new rack and pinion...
It would if you found a rack w/ tie rod ends in the junk yard cheaper than you can get new tie rod ends...
new tie rod ends from www.rockauto.com are cheap as hell.
R.I.P. Brian St.Germain
Buy my iBook!
nope no knocking sound at all when car is in park!
and it doesnt knock when turning corners but there is an occaisional grinding sound!
lilbit i'll remember that website, thanks!
and thanks to everyone else for help! you rock.
*~*Andrea*~*
lilbit01 wrote:mike crawford wrote:My escort did the exact same thing and it was the INNER TIE ROD joint that was worn out and I ended up buying a new rack and pinion for $100.00. Just a thought, but it could be any of the things listed above unfortunately.
bad tie rod ends wouldn't lead to getting a new rack and pinion...
I didn't say outer tie rod end, I said the inner tie rod end that goes into the rack and pinion. I could grab the tie rod and wiggle it and watch it clunking about up at the where it goes into the rack and pinion. With the car jacked up the front wheel could be moved side to side.
no knocking if park says that it's not motor stuff...
My vote goes for CV's or suspension...
1990 Pontiac Sunbird GT turbo
-TGP turbo
-DSM SMIC turned TMIC
-Injectors
Have you checked your sway bar links?
Alont
mike crawford wrote:lilbit01 wrote:mike crawford wrote:My escort did the exact same thing and it was the INNER TIE ROD joint that was worn out and I ended up buying a new rack and pinion for $100.00. Just a thought, but it could be any of the things listed above unfortunately.
bad tie rod ends wouldn't lead to getting a new rack and pinion...
I didn't say outer tie rod end, I said the inner tie rod end that goes into the rack and pinion. I could grab the tie rod and wiggle it and watch it clunking about up at the where it goes into the rack and pinion. With the car jacked up the front wheel could be moved side to side.
that's beyond what i know about cavaliers. i know that when we replaced MY tie rods, i did both inner and outer - one of the wheels had a wiggle/clunk problem, just as it's been described in this thread. i didn't have to replace anything BUT the tie rod ends(inner/outer). i did say at the very beginning that i wasn't sure about cavaliers in the first place.
R.I.P. Brian St.Germain
Buy my iBook!
I could have gotten away with just replacing the inner tie rod maybe. I don't know what kind of damage was done to the rack, but for $100.00 it was money well spent for a whole new unit. Unfortunately I don't think you can get away that cheap with a cavalier.
