Thumping noise from front while accelerating - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

dave1811 · 04-18-2010, 04:05 PM

I have a 99 Camry, 4 Cylinder, 150K miles. Had it about a month. Don't have any prior maint. history. At about 20-30 MPH somewhere around 1800-2500 RPM, I start to get a thumping noise upon accleration from I think the right front. If I put it in neutral, I don't hear it. I changed the front struts and link stablizer assembly recently with Monroe Quick struts but the noise was there before I changed the struts/links. As I was putting the right front tire back on, I noticed three of the lug nuts appeared to be stripped to some degree. I had to replace 3 of the hub bolts, beat out the old ones and drove in some new ones.

Was trying to figure out if the CV joints were maybe going bad, etc. I kind of think they are the factory CV joints/axles. I didn't hear any noise from the hub bearings, it only seems to make noise upon acceleration/deceleration. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated! (Now if I can just keep my 19 year old daughter from wrecking this one, I will be happy!)

93celicaconv · 04-18-2010, 04:46 PM

It is possible that an axle CV joint is going bad.

Try turning the wheel as far to left as possible while driving slow, but with a little acceleration. Then do the same going right. Does one direction produce a similar thumping noise, while the other direction is silent?

dave1811 · 04-18-2010, 09:17 PM

I called a friend who has been a mechanic for around 30 years and told him about the symptoms. Also forgot to mention there is some vibration in the steering wheel, but not when I let off the gas. We talked about what was going on and he thought it sounded like it might be the inner CV joint to him. I will try your suggestion about driving around in a tight circle and accelerating on both sides and see what that does. Will post with my results.

Thanks, Dave

***JohnGD*** · 04-18-2010, 09:27 PM

Turning in circles tests outer CV joints. Try moving in different directions (forward/reverse), and/or stepping on gas, and see if you hear a clunk.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dave1811

I called a friend who has been a mechanic for around 30 years and told him about the symptoms. Also forgot to mention there is some vibration in the steering wheel, but not when I let off the gas. We talked about what was going on and he thought it sounded like it might be the inner CV joint to him. I will try your suggestion about driving around in a tight circle and accelerating on both sides and see what that does. Will post with my results.

Thanks, Dave

93celicaconv · 04-18-2010, 10:53 PM

Right, I was just going to say the same thing (turning in circles tests the outer CV joint). Still worth doing to see if it really is an outer joint. But JohnGD, your recommendation on how to testiboth joints is probably better. If you find one joint that is bad, it really doesn't matter any more if it is an outer or inner joint, the half-shaft should be completely replaced anyway.

dave1811 · 10-06-2010, 10:21 PM

Wanted to follow up on my prior post. My daughter had the right front tire throw a belt just last week. Took the car into a tire shop and ended up getting 4 new tires. The tie rod ends were bad also (noticed some play in the wheels). Anyway, have 4 new Michelin Hydroedge tires and new inner & outer tie rods and it runs like a champ now, all vibration, thumping, etc gone. Just wanted to follow up with what fixed my problem, not being the CV axles.

Dave

Maim Menu · 10-07-2010, 06:50 AM

Thank you Dave for putting up your solution. If more people came back here to update us like you did, we would have even better knowledge than we already have.

dave1811 · 10-07-2010, 07:09 PM

That is exactly why I updated my resolution to the problem. I see several postings where I wonder, did they get the problem fixed, and if so, how/what fixed it? Just wanted to share my experience where it might give someone else some knowledge/insight.

Have a great weekend!

Dave

allanlaw · 10-07-2010, 09:42 PM

If there's a problem with the inner cv joint, would the symptoms be worse after the car has been running for a while that day? Each day the car seems to start out fine, and then after maybe 15 minutes, I can feel (not hear) thumping until I reach about 5mph.

dave1811 · 10-08-2010, 07:31 AM

My thumping was about 20mph-30 mph, but then again, I was wrong it was not my CV Axles, it was the tires. I would check the tires. (A lot easier). Are there any signs of uneven tread wear, etc? My tie rods were also bad. I had some uneven tire wear and it led to the seperation of a steel belt on the tire.

Good luck!

allanlaw · 10-08-2010, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dave1811

My thumping was about 20mph-30 mph, but then again, I was wrong it was not my CV Axles, it was the tires. I would check the tires. (A lot easier). Are there any signs of uneven tread wear, etc? My tie rods were also bad. I had some uneven tire wear and it led to the seperation of a steel belt on the tire.

Good luck!

Given the very low speed nature of my problem (just happens on the initial roll from stop), and fairly new tires, I'm thinking that it's not a tire issue. I've thought about an air leak between the filter and the throttle body, idle setting, auto tranny issue and now, cv/axles. At least the windshield wipers are not to blame . . .

allanlaw · 10-14-2010, 12:13 PM

Final outcome - the problem got worse until the idle got rough, and finally the CEL went on with a P0304 code (4th cylinder misfire). I checked the electrical resistance in the injector (OK) and replaced the spark plug - but no success - so I was pretty sure it was the coil pack. I had some other stuff I needed done, so I dropped it off at the mechanic who confirmed my coil pack conclusion. The part has been ordered, and when I get the car back I'll report further. Anyway, I am now an expert on what it feels like when a coil pack starts and concludes a lingering death (2 weeks in this case, but I don't use the car that much).