95 GT - knocking sound in front passenger wheel area

[Gr8One1998]

Hey guys, so I just started to notice a strange "knocking" sound coming from the front passenger wheel area when driving at low speeds (< 20MPH). When I'm at a full driving speed there is no sound, but when I'm either starting from a full stop or slowing down to a full stop the sound kicks in again. I can't seem to find anything loose that would be causing the sound, does anyone have any ideas? It's a mostly stock 5-speed manual 5.0.

 

[95ssn95]

is it a constant knock or does it vary, check to see if your belt tensioner is bottoming out.

 

[Gr8One1998]

It varies. I will check to see if the belt tensioner is bottoming out tonight when I get home.

 

[yukisho]

Just a thought, this was totally random that happen to me. Check the brake dust collector plates (if that's what they're called) and see if one came loose. Mine came loose magically one day. But again, just a thought.

 

[BlownFiveLiter]

Sway bar end links and control arm bushings come to mind, since it happens on acceleration and deceleration. Ball joints would tend to be a pop, or grind with any suspension articulation.

 

[Chythar]

Do you have caster/camber plates? A pair of UPR Shark plates I had would knock - the strut would actually tap the plate under certain conditions. A new set of c/c plates and my knock was gone.

 

[ronstang94]

I had the same problem. Only noticeable at low speeds. Varying and random clunk... Turned out that the brake caliper bolts had somehow loosened up after being fine for atleast 4 months. If thats not it, then just get in there and start wiggling stuff and see what moves. Good luck

 

[earleys94gt]

+1 on a suspension piece being worn out.

 

[Adam95GT]

ive had a broken lug stud do a quack like sound

 

[donkey_punch]

i had the front pass side spring snap at about the second or third coil from the bottom. didn't noticed till i changed out the 12 year old stock suspenion.

But getting under there and taking a look for your self is the best bet.

 

[Gr8One1998]

Thanks for all the great ideas. So I finally got over my cold and was able to go down and do some investigating. Got everything ready to jack it up and dig around in that area, popped the cap off of the wheel to loosen the lugs, and found that 1 of the lugs had worked itself off and was rattling around. I put the lug back on, drove her around and low and behold the clanking was gone!!

If only all car problems were this easy...

 

[Chythar]

It's nice to find an easy fix for what seems like a nasty problem. Lesson to learn is to properly torque yuor lug nuts down. Use a torque wrench if you need to.