Loud bang after going over a speed bump?

[DM616]

Alright, I'll try to explain this best as possible.

In the parking lot at college, there's a little hill you sometimes have to go over, it's like a broken slope of concrete.

I go over it, and as soon as my tires are on top, I hear a large bang on the right side. That doesn't sound good.

I look under, I see nothing. I ignore it.

This was a few days ago.

Today, I went over the same hill, and the same sound was made, it's like the concrete slamming on the underside.

Here's a drawing to illustrate the hill thing:

http://img703.imageshack.us/img703/4246/hill.png [this probably doesn't help]

I thought maybe it's just the stupid hill, and now I am completely ignoring this hill. But I go over a speed bump, and it happens again.

I honestly have no idea what's going on or what it could be. I never lowered my car so it's stock springs.

I'm going to take it to a mechanic to have him look under the car for any damage but this is worrying me. 3 times now.

I am not speeding, I am going reallllllly slow too lol.

[Mister_Perkins]

I would say your Frame rails are hitting the bump. And that Drawing made me LOL for real. hahahaha

Next time you go over it, stop half way over .. throw it in park pull the E-brake and get out and and look under-neath and see how close your frame is to it.

[corolliaxe]

you are most likely banging your oil pan against the concrete. stop doing this because you will have a major leak if it breaks. btw the drawing helps. it looks to like your oil pan is catching that sharpest part as soon as you get over the hump when the suspension compresses. next time you change your oil check it for dents and scrapes. my oil pan is dented as well as the pan that holds the transmission oil.

use another exit when leaving the parking lot.

[pmesfun]

Could be the sway bar links/bushings, strut mounts, or the control arm bushings. I have this problem also.

edit:
yeah, it is probably the frame rail. I didn't read right, done this plenty of times also, just take it slow and you should be fine.

[Mister_Perkins]

Originally Posted by corolliaxe

you are most likely banging your oil pan against the concrete. stop doing this because you will have a major leak if it breaks. btw the drawing helps. it looks to like your oil pan is catching that sharpest part as soon as you get over the hump when the suspension compresses. next time you change your oil check it for dents and scrapes. my oil pan is dented as well as the pan that holds the transmission oil.

use another exit when leaving the parking lot.

^^ good call! Check that too

[bigbird]

Originally Posted by corolliaxe

you are most likely banging your oil pan against the concrete. stop doing this because you will have a major leak if it breaks. btw the drawing helps. it looks to like your oil pan is catching that sharpest part as soon as you get over the hump when the suspension compresses. next time you change your oil check it for dents and scrapes. my oil pan is dented as well as the pan that holds the transmission oil.

use another exit when leaving the parking lot.

that isnt likely. if this is happening over speed bumps as well then the chances that the oil pan is bottoming out are slim. correct me if im wrong the engine is roughly positioned between the wheels anyways so the oil pan should not be bottoming out unless the tires are flat or the suspension is completely shot and the suspension is bottoming out.

[Kingdom934]

As mention, it shouldn't be bottoming out unless your suspension is worn. My friend's '97 V6 with worn suspension will bottom out and he'll hit his pan (Trans or oil) on stuff, but mostly the front frame (near the hooks) Will take the impact almost always. Not good though..

Yours is a V6 or I4 with how much miles on it?

[DM616]

I4 with 798XX miles.

I will assume it's the frame rail. I'll have to get a look at it, but is that just a metal part that's banging or is it part of the car with paint on it etc.? I don't know what the rail is itself, just the frame...I hope there isn't a dent somewhere that I'm missing.

D: I hope it's not the oil pan, and I'm sure it's not. You can hear the bang on the left side...

[Mister_Perkins]

Frame rails are the part of the under-carriage that stick down .. its U Shaped and part of the body since these cars are Uni-Body design

[bigbird]

how old is the suspension? if it is the left side then it may well be a bad spring or shock and your added weight may be pushing it over the edge.

[DM616]

It's stock so it's probably as old as the car.

I can get it checked out soon I guess.

If I really need new springs, what's the best? I'd love to lower my car but with those random bumps you see on every street I don't think it'd be best.

[fenixus]

Originally Posted by DM616

It's stock so it's probably as old as the car.

I can get it checked out soon I guess.

If I really need new springs, what's the best? I'd love to lower my car but with those random bumps you see on every street I don't think it'd be best.

I would seriously reconsider lowering your car and taking your location into account as well ... you lower the car and forget about driving through Brooklyn

I'm in Bergen County in NJ and decided to pass on lowering considering the damn drive up ramps everywhere ...

here, this is how most of lowered Celicas in my neighborhood look alike

[DM616]

I'd rather have my car high then lower it and let it scrape up lol.

Maybe it's just how I am but I'd rather have pretty then 'hey look at that Camry, it's a piece of shit' lol.

[fenixus]

Originally Posted by DM616

I'd rather have my car high then lower it and let it scrape up lol.

Maybe it's just how I am but I'd rather have pretty then 'hey look at that Camry, it's a piece of shit' lol.

LOL, same here

also those lowered Celicas (there is like 3 of them here) are sitting ducks after every major snow fall LOL ... cars upgraded for looks are impractical around here ...

I never really aimed for super cool looks. all I need is a nice ride that lasts forever ... and outperforms ricey bull shit cars when needed