thudding at slow speeds - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

cexsiman · 03-08-2007, 01:27 AM

I first got the drivers side axle/cv replaced on my corolla, and I just got the passenger side cv joint and axle replaced on my car like 500 miles ago and now i dont know if its related or not there is a thudding on the dirvers side of my 1992 corolla. it basically sounds like i am driving over reflectors in the road at high speed when i am going like 20 in a parking lot. it does it while turning a little bit. its been getting worse even though i havent put many miles on it since. i think i remember hearing it for the first time after hard(ly, lol) acceleration there was kind of a loud thud, but i didnt go over any bumps or hit anything. its an automatic and if i throw it in neutral it still does it, so i know my tranny is fine, i have toyed around with the idea that it might be the struts, but i dont know if it would be that or maybe the wheel bearing? and the only reason i think bearing is because i didnt realize my drivers cv boot was basically off for like 4k miles. i dont know what a bad bearing sounds like or looks like for that matter because i have never really dont much work on my car personally. any input would help me find a place to start. i have been looking for struts and springs just because i want better road handling, but i dont have the extra for it until after its all fixed and fine. thanks for reading my long post.

***falnfenix*** · 03-08-2007, 04:45 AM

check your tires and the bolts attaching the struts to the mounts...the mounts are the big round things with 3 bolts on either side of the engine bay. sounds like the bolts MAY be loose.

cexsiman · 03-08-2007, 03:15 PM

tired that, didnt change anything, and those bolts were tighter than a mofo. i even looked around and tightned everything that i could get to with a ratchet, everything under the hood was really snug, i will try and check the bolts on the bottom of the strut but i highly doubt those are loose. again its a very loud and distinctive sound and feeling when at a low speed.

i've been asking around, and so far no one has a clue.

***falnfenix*** · 03-08-2007, 05:04 PM

tie rods?

tashirosgt · 03-09-2007, 11:01 AM

cexisman,
You said the thudding was like driving over reflectors. Is it regular like thud..thud..thud? Or is there just a thud every now and then?

cexsiman · 03-09-2007, 12:15 PM

the thuds are regular, and consistent, like reflectors, its about as harsh and as frequent as going over a line of them at 15-20mph or so.

is there a way for me to check my tie rods? would it be a visible or noticable difference between the both sides? or if it is a tie rod, possibly a bushing, would i only be able to tell while there is stress on it, like while it is moving?

retiredat44 · 03-09-2007, 12:22 PM

put the car up on a jack and spin the front wheel(s). Also yank back and forth, feel for play....

take your time, do it for a while, see if it repeats. Also drive the car for a couple miles first to make sure the car and wheel is warm before you do this..

good luck..

could be the half axle joint, or even a wheel bearing..