thumping / clunking from driver front wheel / axle area

[ArticNemesis]

I was on my way to class this morning, out of nowhere, a thumping / clunking sound developed from the driver side front wheel / axle area. At first I thought maybe I picked up a nail or screw or something. I stop at the nearest gas station and inspect my tire, and it's fine...

Now, it's 10:11, 38 degrees out, and raining. Not to mention I have practicals in less than 30 minutes for my IV certification class.

So i drive the the 6 miles to school. I played around a bit to see what I can figure out about the problem..

If I accelerate, the sound either goes away, or just can't hear it any more(accelerate slow or quick, it doesn't matter.)
If I apply the brakes, the sound definitely disappears.
The sound is only there when i coast or decellerate either in gear, or in neutral, with out using the brakes (ie. between shifts or when I let off the gas.)

Any ideas.?

 

[Plague]

Shot in the dark. Maybe your inboard, half shaft, mount bolts are beginning to back off. Get the car in the air and start shaking things to see whats could potentially be loose. All else fails take it to your local mechanic for a diagnosis. Thank him for his time and replace the parts yourself.

 

[ArticNemesis]

Well, I am pretty good friends with an import mechanic here in town, but I haven't taken it over to him yet. the problem today has turned into it actually isn't there until i press on the brakes and let off the brakes. I think it's something with the brakes. I'm goign to take the caliper off today and see what's up.

 

[BUCK]

I just got a similar noise last week - finally found that one of my Center Bearing mounting bolts has sheared off flush at the block - just bought a $30 corner drill adapter I hope to be able to get in there & drill out the nub with it - FUN - FUN - FUN!!!

 

[sean d]

it sounds stupid, but check your lug nuts. i had a similar noise before, and i thought i had spun a rod bearing. i dropped the oil pan, couldn't find anything, then after reassembling everything the noise went away. got the noise again about a month later, and it turned out that a couple of my lug nuts had backed out, i guess giving the rotor a little free play to slap something, but when the brakes were pressed the noise went away. just an idea.

 

[nhsean69]

Originally posted by sean d
it sounds stupid, but check your lug nuts. i had a similar noise before, and i thought i had spun a rod bearing. i dropped the oil pan, couldn't find anything, then after reassembling everything the noise went away. got the noise again about a month later, and it turned out that a couple of my lug nuts had backed out, i guess giving the rotor a little free play to slap something, but when the brakes were pressed the noise went away. just an idea.

I also had this same problem, 2 of my lugs had backed off a lil bit. Jack it up and check them.

 

[ArticNemesis]

good call on the lug nuts guys. You could very well have just saved my life.

3 of them were looser than finger tight.. scary. Wonder what caused them to do that.. (maybe my psycho neighbors.. who knows.)

 

[Ruby GST]

I am a new Eclipse Owner, and I started freaking out when I heard the clunking noise described above. You all saved my life! Thank you!!! I hope you guys will help assist me with further problems!