3rd & 4th Generation (1992–1996 & 1997–2001)Toyota Camry Discussion for years: 1992-1996 & 1997-2001
Topics of discussion range from fuel economy, safety, modifications, performance all involving America's favorite family car, the Toyota Camry.
Hey all, recently I've noticed a strange thing happen when I press my gas pedal. It is kind of difficult to explain buy I'll try my hardest.
-car is a 96 camry LE with a 4 cyl engine
Anyway, recently when I press my gas pedal, I can feel a slight shift/grating/catching feeling through the foot pressing it when I accelerate. I can also hear it when the windows are rolled down. The feeling is slight, but was definitely not there before. It lasts maybe 1/4 second, kind of like a gear is just catching or something.
It only happens when I start from a stop or from very low speeds, never happening when going more than maybe 5 mph. If I shift the car into drive and just let it roll up to say 5 mph then hit the gas it does not happen. It also does not happen when I hit the gas in reverse.
Any ideas what it could be? Ask me all the questions you need, I am new to working on cars so I'll let you know whatever I can.
On a side note: Are the rear speakers in my 96 camry 6x9s?
Sounds like a slight brake caliper hang up maybe caused by dirt. Does this only happen when car has been sitting for a while? If this is the case then it points to sticking brake component. Moving the car warms up the brakes and expands the brake parts thus could remove the clearance problem caused by dirty brake parts until the car cools down.
This is just a guess on my part but blowing off your front brakes with some brake cleaner can't hurt and it may solve the problem.
Thanks, I'll give the cleaner a try tomorrow. I was worried it may be something with the transmission.
Even when the car has been running while, it still makes the sound when I start from a stop. It seems a little worse when I make a sharp turn from a stop.
Noise while turning is also a symptom of a bad trans axle. If it is a trans axle, the bad trans axle will be at the side opposite of your turn noise. For example, if you turn right and hear the noise then its the left trans axle that's going bad.
When you raise your car up to clean the brakes, inspect the trans axles and the trans axle boots for problems. There are tons of posts on this site that explain the procedure for diagnosing a bad trans axle.
So I looked at the trans axle and cleaned the breaks and it still does it.
It makes the sound when I'm turning either direction a little worse than when going perfectly straight. I have tried accelerating very slowly as to not get any rearward body weight shift and it still does it so I do not think it is something with the suspension. It also doesn't feel like an engine mount is shifting, and the mounts look good.
Any other ideas? It is getting worse and sounds kind of like a "clunk-clunk" but kind of a cross between a clunk and a scrape. It still isn't super loud but it is driving me crazy. Could it be something with the transmission?
Does it do this in neutral? Can you get a video of it to show what your hearing? I couldn't tell you whats wrong, but I'm sure with a video, or a sound bite someone could pin point your problem.
I just went out and tried to get a sound clip, but it is inaudible over the motor and intake sounds. You feel it through the gas pedal as much as hear it. Yesterday I noticed the power steering fluid was low, and I filled that up again but it didn't help.
It does not happen when I slowly press the gas in neutral.
Any ideas? I read somewhere where someone said it may be some sort of inner bushing?
Okay, so the sound has gotten worse. It is not the engine mounts, brake dust, part of the trans axle, or the suspension.
I can now definitely feel 2 distinct scrapes/shifts when I press the gas, one after the other, and then I feel them again when I let off the gas. It still only happens in first gear. Any ideas?
Last edited by nathanours; 06-26-2011 at 07:31 PM.
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