1991 corolla popping sound

i have a 1991 corolla with about 140,000 miles on it.

a few months ago a noise started happening and i figured it was just a
plastic piece or something loose underneath the car, but now it's
getting worse.

the sound i hear is like a popping noise, or maybe like a piece of hard
plastic or rubber grinding/popping against the floorpan of my car.
sometimes it's just a tap or two when im driving, sometimes (like when
i put on the brakes) it's one tap or maybe two, and then (when i take
my foot off the brakes) more of a rapid rubbing tap-tap-tap - tap. but
it doesnt only happen when i use the brakes, it happens during normal
driving. it sounds like it could be something actually hitting against
the underside of my car while driving because i can feel the tap
through the floor of the car in the area right beneath the brake pedal.

it does NOT only happen when i turn, and it is noticable at all speeds
but seems random (doesnt increase with speed). at first i thought it
was related to the strut on the front driver's side (just had the back
two replaced - the noise was happening before and after this, and the
back ones were only replaced because one rusted totally out).

i want to take it somewhere and have it checked but i just moved to a
new town and dont want to have some mechanic take advantage of the
situation and try to replace every thing on the car. i wouldnt know
what to even wiggle or feel for underneath the car and it's kind of
hard to get under there (limited space to work with).

i dont know if it could be the sway bar or some sort of other linkage
totally lose and flopping around and hitting the floorpan, or if
something else could be very loose like that, or what i should look
for. if anyone has a picture of the underside of a 91 corolla that
would be really helpful, as would any advice on what to try.

thanks.

On Wed, 23 Aug 2006 17:26:50 -0700, [email]billsif@gmail.com[/email] wrote:
[color=blue]
> i have a 1991 corolla with about 140,000 miles on it.
>
> a few months ago a noise started happening and i figured it was just a
> plastic piece or something loose underneath the car, but now it's
> getting worse.
>
> the sound i hear is like a popping noise, or maybe like a piece of hard
> plastic or rubber grinding/popping against the floorpan of my car.
> sometimes it's just a tap or two when im driving, sometimes (like when
> i put on the brakes) it's one tap or maybe two, and then (when i take
> my foot off the brakes) more of a rapid rubbing tap-tap-tap - tap. but
> it doesnt only happen when i use the brakes, it happens during normal
> driving. it sounds like it could be something actually hitting against
> the underside of my car while driving because i can feel the tap
> through the floor of the car in the area right beneath the brake pedal.
>
> it does NOT only happen when i turn, and it is noticable at all speeds
> but seems random (doesnt increase with speed). at first i thought it
> was related to the strut on the front driver's side (just had the back
> two replaced - the noise was happening before and after this, and the
> back ones were only replaced because one rusted totally out).
>
> i want to take it somewhere and have it checked but i just moved to a
> new town and dont want to have some mechanic take advantage of the
> situation and try to replace every thing on the car. i wouldnt know
> what to even wiggle or feel for underneath the car and it's kind of
> hard to get under there (limited space to work with).
>
> i dont know if it could be the sway bar or some sort of other linkage
> totally lose and flopping around and hitting the floorpan, or if
> something else could be very loose like that, or what i should look
> for. if anyone has a picture of the underside of a 91 corolla that
> would be really helpful, as would any advice on what to try.
>
> thanks.[/color]


I'd be guessing the struts, or even more likely, the strut mounts at the
top of the struts, visible in the engine compartment. How rusty are they?

I just went outside and pushed down on the passenger side fender a few
times.

Nothing, then a hissing sound when the car came back up,
nothing, then the same hissing sound
nothing, then a quiet pop from the driver's side.

Then I went over to the driver's side and pushed down.
If I push down and just let go, there is a hissing sound with a quiet
pop.
If I push down and let go gradually, on the way back up: POP POP POP
POP

I guess it's definitely the strut or strut mount.
How can I tell the difference?
The part that's visible doesn't really look too rusty, but all four
wheel wells are very rusty.
The bumper is so rusty that one of the mounts rusted through and it's
hanging on one side.

I'd just like to know if I can get the mount replaced or if I have to
replace the whole strut.
On the rear struts which were recently replaced, the bottom "cup" that
holds the spring rusted out and the strut ended up resting on the top
of the rear tire! And wore away a lot of the rubber driving it to get
fixed.

Thanks for the tip... now to pin it down to the strut or the mount.
And figure out how much it's going to cost to get fixed :(

Is it absolutely necessary or could I keep driving it like this?

Thanks


Hachiroku wrote:[color=blue]
> On Wed, 23 Aug 2006 17:26:50 -0700, [email]billsif@gmail.com[/email] wrote:
>[color=green]
> > i have a 1991 corolla with about 140,000 miles on it.
> >
> > a few months ago a noise started happening and i figured it was just a
> > plastic piece or something loose underneath the car, but now it's
> > getting worse.
> >
> > the sound i hear is like a popping noise, or maybe like a piece of hard
> > plastic or rubber grinding/popping against the floorpan of my car.
> > sometimes it's just a tap or two when im driving, sometimes (like when
> > i put on the brakes) it's one tap or maybe two, and then (when i take
> > my foot off the brakes) more of a rapid rubbing tap-tap-tap - tap. but
> > it doesnt only happen when i use the brakes, it happens during normal
> > driving. it sounds like it could be something actually hitting against
> > the underside of my car while driving because i can feel the tap
> > through the floor of the car in the area right beneath the brake pedal.
> >
> > it does NOT only happen when i turn, and it is noticable at all speeds
> > but seems random (doesnt increase with speed). at first i thought it
> > was related to the strut on the front driver's side (just had the back
> > two replaced - the noise was happening before and after this, and the
> > back ones were only replaced because one rusted totally out).
> >
> > i want to take it somewhere and have it checked but i just moved to a
> > new town and dont want to have some mechanic take advantage of the
> > situation and try to replace every thing on the car. i wouldnt know
> > what to even wiggle or feel for underneath the car and it's kind of
> > hard to get under there (limited space to work with).
> >
> > i dont know if it could be the sway bar or some sort of other linkage
> > totally lose and flopping around and hitting the floorpan, or if
> > something else could be very loose like that, or what i should look
> > for. if anyone has a picture of the underside of a 91 corolla that
> > would be really helpful, as would any advice on what to try.
> >
> > thanks.[/color]
>
>
> I'd be guessing the struts, or even more likely, the strut mounts at the
> top of the struts, visible in the engine compartment. How rusty are they?[/color]

<billsif@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1156379970.717411.56880@75g2000cwc.googlegroups.com...[color=blue]
>I just went outside and pushed down on the passenger side fender a few
> times.
>
> Nothing, then a hissing sound when the car came back up,
> nothing, then the same hissing sound
> nothing, then a quiet pop from the driver's side.
>
> Then I went over to the driver's side and pushed down.
> If I push down and just let go, there is a hissing sound with a quiet
> pop.
> If I push down and let go gradually, on the way back up: POP POP POP
> POP
>
> I guess it's definitely the strut or strut mount.
> How can I tell the difference?[/color]

The labor is the same to replace the strut and strut mount so it is kind of
a moot point. If you reach through the wheel well above the tire and try to
wiggle the strut and can see it move on top of the wheel well in the engine
compartment, the mount is probably bad. If there is any fluid leakage on
the exterior of the strut, they probably need replacement as well.

If you have the struts replaced at a Toyota dealer in the U.s., you will
have lifetime warranty on partss and labor at any Toyota dealer in the U.S.
[color=blue]
> The part that's visible doesn't really look too rusty, but all four
> wheel wells are very rusty.
> The bumper is so rusty that one of the mounts rusted through and it's
> hanging on one side.
>
> I'd just like to know if I can get the mount replaced or if I have to
> replace the whole strut.
> On the rear struts which were recently replaced, the bottom "cup" that
> holds the spring rusted out and the strut ended up resting on the top
> of the rear tire! And wore away a lot of the rubber driving it to get
> fixed.
>
> Thanks for the tip... now to pin it down to the strut or the mount.
> And figure out how much it's going to cost to get fixed :(
>
> Is it absolutely necessary or could I keep driving it like this?
>
> Thanks
>[/color]

I would at least get it checked out before making a decision to keep
driving.
--

Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

Do you know what part of the strut would be making this noise as I let
go of the fender and pressure is released? I guess if it's the mount
it's the strut rubbing against part of the mount, but if it's the strut
would it just be some internal part making noise?

I'm just concerned that it might be dangerous, but when the rear one
broke the only thing that happened was it fell down and rubbed against
the tire. Could a front strut break in some different way causing me to
lose control of the vehicle or some other terrible thing?

Ray O wrote:[color=blue]
> <billsif@gmail.com> wrote in message
> news:1156379970.717411.56880@75g2000cwc.googlegroups.com...[color=green]
> >I just went outside and pushed down on the passenger side fender a few
> > times.
> >
> > Nothing, then a hissing sound when the car came back up,
> > nothing, then the same hissing sound
> > nothing, then a quiet pop from the driver's side.
> >
> > Then I went over to the driver's side and pushed down.
> > If I push down and just let go, there is a hissing sound with a quiet
> > pop.
> > If I push down and let go gradually, on the way back up: POP POP POP
> > POP
> >
> > I guess it's definitely the strut or strut mount.
> > How can I tell the difference?[/color]
>
> The labor is the same to replace the strut and strut mount so it is kind of
> a moot point. If you reach through the wheel well above the tire and try to
> wiggle the strut and can see it move on top of the wheel well in the engine
> compartment, the mount is probably bad. If there is any fluid leakage on
> the exterior of the strut, they probably need replacement as well.
>
> If you have the struts replaced at a Toyota dealer in the U.s., you will
> have lifetime warranty on partss and labor at any Toyota dealer in the U.S.
>[color=green]
> > The part that's visible doesn't really look too rusty, but all four
> > wheel wells are very rusty.
> > The bumper is so rusty that one of the mounts rusted through and it's
> > hanging on one side.
> >
> > I'd just like to know if I can get the mount replaced or if I have to
> > replace the whole strut.
> > On the rear struts which were recently replaced, the bottom "cup" that
> > holds the spring rusted out and the strut ended up resting on the top
> > of the rear tire! And wore away a lot of the rubber driving it to get
> > fixed.
> >
> > Thanks for the tip... now to pin it down to the strut or the mount.
> > And figure out how much it's going to cost to get fixed :(
> >
> > Is it absolutely necessary or could I keep driving it like this?
> >
> > Thanks
> >[/color]
>
> I would at least get it checked out before making a decision to keep
> driving.
> --
>
> Ray O
> (correct punctuation to reply)[/color]

<billsif@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1156418640.693227.24430@m73g2000cwd.googlegroups.com...[color=blue]
> Do you know what part of the strut would be making this noise as I let
> go of the fender and pressure is released? I guess if it's the mount
> it's the strut rubbing against part of the mount, but if it's the strut
> would it just be some internal part making noise?[/color]

Without hearing the noise and looking at the car, nobody can tell you what
part of the strut is making the noise.

Struts themselves rarely make a rattling noise, so the likely places are
where the strut is attached at the top or bottom of the strut.

Also possible sources of suspension -related noise are ball joints, rack
ends, bearings, and brake calipers/pads/backing plates.[color=blue]
>[/color]
[color=blue]
> I'm just concerned that it might be dangerous, but when the rear one
> broke the only thing that happened was it fell down and rubbed against
> the tire. Could a front strut break in some different way causing me to
> lose control of the vehicle or some other terrible thing?[/color]

You should be concerned that the noise may be dangerous because something
can break that will cause loss of control of the vehicle.

If you are not familiar with the workings of the suspension, steering
system, and brakes, I would get the car checked out by a competent pro very
soon.

--

Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)
[color=blue]
>
> Ray O wrote:[color=green]
>> <billsif@gmail.com> wrote in message
>> news:1156379970.717411.56880@75g2000cwc.googlegroups.com...[color=darkred]
>> >I just went outside and pushed down on the passenger side fender a few
>> > times.
>> >
>> > Nothing, then a hissing sound when the car came back up,
>> > nothing, then the same hissing sound
>> > nothing, then a quiet pop from the driver's side.
>> >
>> > Then I went over to the driver's side and pushed down.
>> > If I push down and just let go, there is a hissing sound with a quiet
>> > pop.
>> > If I push down and let go gradually, on the way back up: POP POP POP
>> > POP
>> >
>> > I guess it's definitely the strut or strut mount.
>> > How can I tell the difference?[/color]
>>
>> The labor is the same to replace the strut and strut mount so it is kind
>> of
>> a moot point. If you reach through the wheel well above the tire and try
>> to
>> wiggle the strut and can see it move on top of the wheel well in the
>> engine
>> compartment, the mount is probably bad. If there is any fluid leakage on
>> the exterior of the strut, they probably need replacement as well.
>>
>> If you have the struts replaced at a Toyota dealer in the U.s., you will
>> have lifetime warranty on partss and labor at any Toyota dealer in the
>> U.S.
>>[color=darkred]
>> > The part that's visible doesn't really look too rusty, but all four
>> > wheel wells are very rusty.
>> > The bumper is so rusty that one of the mounts rusted through and it's
>> > hanging on one side.
>> >
>> > I'd just like to know if I can get the mount replaced or if I have to
>> > replace the whole strut.
>> > On the rear struts which were recently replaced, the bottom "cup" that
>> > holds the spring rusted out and the strut ended up resting on the top
>> > of the rear tire! And wore away a lot of the rubber driving it to get
>> > fixed.
>> >
>> > Thanks for the tip... now to pin it down to the strut or the mount.
>> > And figure out how much it's going to cost to get fixed :(
>> >
>> > Is it absolutely necessary or could I keep driving it like this?
>> >
>> > Thanks
>> >[/color]
>>
>> I would at least get it checked out before making a decision to keep
>> driving.
>> --
>>
>> Ray O
>> (correct punctuation to reply)[/color]
>[/color]

On Thu, 24 Aug 2006 04:24:00 -0700, [email]billsif@gmail.com[/email] wrote:
[color=blue]
> Do you know what part of the strut would be making this noise as I let
> go of the fender and pressure is released? I guess if it's the mount
> it's the strut rubbing against part of the mount, but if it's the strut
> would it just be some internal part making noise?
>
> I'm just concerned that it might be dangerous, but when the rear one
> broke the only thing that happened was it fell down and rubbed against
> the tire. Could a front strut break in some different way causing me to
> lose control of the vehicle or some other terrible thing?
>
> Ray O wrote:[color=green]
>> <billsif@gmail.com> wrote in message
>> news:1156379970.717411.56880@75g2000cwc.googlegroups.com...[color=darkred]
>> >I just went outside and pushed down on the passenger side fender a few
>> > times.
>> >
>> > Nothing, then a hissing sound when the car came back up,
>> > nothing, then the same hissing sound
>> > nothing, then a quiet pop from the driver's side.
>> >
>> > Then I went over to the driver's side and pushed down.
>> > If I push down and just let go, there is a hissing sound with a quiet
>> > pop.
>> > If I push down and let go gradually, on the way back up: POP POP POP
>> > POP
>> >
>> > I guess it's definitely the strut or strut mount.
>> > How can I tell the difference?[/color]
>>
>> The labor is the same to replace the strut and strut mount so it is kind of
>> a moot point. If you reach through the wheel well above the tire and try to
>> wiggle the strut and can see it move on top of the wheel well in the engine
>> compartment, the mount is probably bad. If there is any fluid leakage on
>> the exterior of the strut, they probably need replacement as well.
>>
>> If you have the struts replaced at a Toyota dealer in the U.s., you will
>> have lifetime warranty on partss and labor at any Toyota dealer in the U.S.
>>[color=darkred]
>> > The part that's visible doesn't really look too rusty, but all four
>> > wheel wells are very rusty.
>> > The bumper is so rusty that one of the mounts rusted through and it's
>> > hanging on one side.
>> >
>> > I'd just like to know if I can get the mount replaced or if I have to
>> > replace the whole strut.
>> > On the rear struts which were recently replaced, the bottom "cup" that
>> > holds the spring rusted out and the strut ended up resting on the top
>> > of the rear tire! And wore away a lot of the rubber driving it to get
>> > fixed.
>> >
>> > Thanks for the tip... now to pin it down to the strut or the mount.
>> > And figure out how much it's going to cost to get fixed :(
>> >
>> > Is it absolutely necessary or could I keep driving it like this?
>> >
>> > Thanks
>> >[/color]
>>
>> I would at least get it checked out before making a decision to keep
>> driving.
>> --
>>
>> Ray O
>> (correct punctuation to reply)[/color][/color]

Ooooh! Ooooh! Ooooh!!!!!!

I just remembered something!!!!!

You might have to tkae the wheel off to see this. I'd be careful if I were
you...

I had a similar thing on an older Celica I bought a few years ago. A
'creaking' noise started coming from the driver's side of the car.
Months later, I noticed a small of burning rubber, but since I had just
had a newer engine put in, I didn't think much of it.
I checked the suspension and the belts, hoses, etc. No problem found.
Figured it was just chemicals burning off, and perhaps a ball joint on the
way out was causing the creaking noise.

One Saturday afternoon, I was going to leave work and go to the Salvation
Army store to see if they had any 'goodies' hanging around. I got to the
point where I would either get on the Interstate or turn to go to the
store. I didn't get out of work as early as I wanted to, so I kind of just
wanted to go home...

I decided to go to the store.

They didn't have a darn thing worth looking at!

As I left to take the back roads home, I heard a real LOUD creaking and a
pop. Then, the burning rubber smell got REAL bad! I pulled over and
looked, and saw nothing...

I took off again, and turned down a country road that 14 miles later would
get me home. I got about 3 miles and the SMOKE coming from the driver's
wheel well was horrendous!!! I pulled over...two jacks, no jack handle and
no lug wrench (Ray O...remember...tell your Scouts, Be Prepared!!!)

A friend I called came in about 20 minutes, we jacked up the car, took off
the wheel and couldn't see a darn thing!! Everything looked good. In the
process of replacing the tire and wheel, I felt some roughness on the
inside sidewall on the trie. It was all chewed up!

It was at this point we noticed that when we put the tire back on, it was
rubbing the flange that held the spring in place!!!!

It was rusting, and it was slowly getting lower, and lower and lower. The
rubber smell I had smelled for the past two months was the tire touching
the flange when going over bumps (even mild ones...).

My friend had a house about 3 miles away, so we slowly drove the car there...

When I went to turn the car around to follow him there was a <BANG!!!> and
then you could feel the rubbing through the steering wheel. We made it and
parked the car.

Can you imagine what might have happened if I had taken the highway at
70MPH?!?!?!?!

I would check all the flanges that hold the springs. Be careful removing
the tires, because if one is letting go it could 'snap' at you...


Good luck!