Clunking Sound In Front of Car

Discuss any problems, warranty, repair, or replacement issues you are having with your Vibe & Matrix
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tots
Posts: 103
Joined: Sun Aug 31, 2003 11:53 pm

Clunking Sound In Front of Car

Post by tots »

I have started noticing a subtle clunking sound coming from the front of the car while driving. I hear it when I go over bumps, espcially while turning. It doesn't happen all the time, so I am having a hard time figuring out where it's coming from. Has anyone had this problem?
My Vibe: 2004 Base, Fusion Orange, Mono, ABS, Power.16" Alloys, Factory Alarm, Side Air Bags. Cargo Box
epcIII
Posts: 685
Joined: Sat Oct 28, 2006 12:00 pm

Re: Clunking Sound In Front of Car (tots)

Post by epcIII »

Sounds like it may possibly be the cv joints.
Houston
Posts: 787
Joined: Fri Nov 01, 2002 3:04 am

Re: Clunking Sound In Front of Car (tots)

Post by Houston »

In this kind of weather, chunks of ice can get hung up in weird places. Just sayin'...
2009 Base 2.4L with a few add-ons.
Caretaker

Re: Clunking Sound In Front of Car (tots)

Post by Caretaker »

my two cents: check the black plastic underneath to see if any of the black plastic pins have come off, and exposed the plastic to rattling. I have found that to be the case many times, and use a small red plastic wall anchor as the remedy. If you find a black plastic push pin missing, just shove a small red wall anchor through the black apron and push it into the steel frame. Then take a hammer an lightly tap it until it is tight. If nothing else, I have offered you a "hints from Caretaker" on replacing those stupid black plastic push pins. I hope it is nothing more than that tots.
ktest
Posts: 1
Joined: Mon Mar 07, 2011 9:52 pm

Re: Clunking Sound In Front of Car (tots)

Post by ktest »

My Vibe is doing the same thing...needs inspected this month and I would like to have some ideas about what it is before I take it in and have more fixed than necessary. A clunking sound under one of the front tires...I think the passenger-side when going over some bumps or dips mostly at slower speeds.
MaxxVibe
Posts: 126
Joined: Mon Dec 10, 2007 12:04 pm

Re: Clunking Sound In Front of Car (ktest)

Post by MaxxVibe »

i can certainly relate to this sound and have been pulling my hair out trying to diagnose it, beings that you have to have the car moving (and noticed only at slow speeds) its seems nearly impossible to locate the location of the sound. Ive had my car to my local dealership for a overall inspection and they located no issues with my suspension or any loose or worn suspension parts. I tried hard to describe the sound to the technician and to no avail they were not able to find any issues, yet the sound is STILL there and i hate it. It literally sounds like the sound made when the rubber stoppers bottom out on a hard hit on the rearend of an older car. Ill keep searching high and low til i find it but i do hate the cheap *** push pins that are useless for being a tight fastener. Does anybody have a better recommendation for a tight solid fitting fastener besides plastic wall anchors?
2009 Vibe GT/Factory Bermuda Bay Blue/5 speed shiftable automatic/ two tone leather combo interior/18x7 factory polished wheels/rear spoiler/ Monsoon Premium sound system/ Grafxwerks badging/20% tint all around
northvibe
Posts: 7641
Joined: Tue Jul 05, 2005 2:25 pm

Post by northvibe »

usually its a end link that has gone bad or a sway bar bushing.
ehoff121
Posts: 756
Joined: Mon Feb 26, 2007 12:19 am
Location: Conn.

Re: Clunking Sound In Front of Car (tots)

Post by ehoff121 »

I also started hearing a clunk going over bumps after having my vent door motor replaced. Today, I removed the glove box to change the cabin air filter and found the filter door was detached, laying behind the glove box. I had broken off the door a couple of years ago and the duct tape didn't last long. Re-attached the door and no more clunk.Point being, check to see if anything could have fallen behind the glove box.
2005 Pontiac Vibe AWD - Platinum
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